Leandra K. Tolusso, MS, LGC

I’m a genetic counselor focused on prenatal and fetal therapy genetics. The decision to pursue genetic testing during pregnancy is very personal and is guided by many different factors that are unique to each patient's situation, values and goals. I help patients explore these factors, answer questions, address concerns, and ultimately help them make the best decision.

My interest in learning about the human body and helping people better understand their health drew me to work in healthcare. I wanted to be able to spend time with people and empower them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health. I learned about genetic counseling while attending university, and I thought it was the perfect combination of science, healthcare and counseling.

My first experiences with prenatal and fetal therapy genetics happened during my clinical rotations in graduate school. I was immediately drawn to helping parents in their journey of a fetal diagnosis. Our patients are navigating an extraordinarily complicated and scary time in their lives as they learn about and prepare for their child with medical needs. I feel privileged to be a part of the team that helps them through this time.

I balance providing education about my patient's health concerns and supporting their emotions as they navigate their healthcare decisions. Knowledge can be empowering, so I get to know my patients and the decisions they are facing to empower them with the information they need to make informed choices. Patients have better experiences with the healthcare system when they feel their providers care about them as unique individuals, so I personalize the education and support for each person.

I also participate in research as we still need to learn much about congenital anomalies and genetic conditions that present in the prenatal period. My main research interests involve understanding the genetic causes of congenital anomalies, the utility of prenatal genetic testing and how genetic testing can improve prenatal healthcare.

Since my days are filled with lots of science and critical thinking, I love to fill my free time with creative pursuits — I create art, crochet, bake and garden.