Samantha Afonso

EDUCATION:

• MS Genetic Counselling: University of Pittsburgh
• BKI Biology: University of Waterloo

BIOSKETCH:

Samantha obtained her Masters of Science degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh and was certified by both the American Board of Genetic Counseling and Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling in 2019. She began her career in the Provincial Medical Genetics Program in Newfoundland and Labrador where she served as a clinical genetic counsellor and as a member of the genetics/genomic health research ethics board. She began at St. Michael’s Hospital in 2020, developing genetic counselling services for the Heart, Lung and Vascular Program. She supports the Adult Cystic Fibrosis, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, cardiac and aortic disease clinics. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Samantha is on the Unity Health Clinical Ethics committee, she is a member of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC) and is on the board of the Ontario Association of Genetic Counsellors (OAGC). Her academic interests include patient-centered care models, bioethics, and policy in genetic counselling. She is actively involved in teaching as a clinical supervisor at the University of Toronto’s M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program.