Adjunct Faculty
Jennifer graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center–Houston with her MS in genetic counseling in 2002. She began her career in Idaho at St. Luke’s Health System, where she established the state’s first cancer genetic counseling clinic in 2004. During her time at St. Luke’s, she also worked in pediatric and prenatal genetic counseling and was involved in developing the High Risk Breast Clinic, the Lynch syndrome screening program, and telehealth genetic counseling services. She initiated a pharmacogenetic testing program for oncology patients and developed the genetic test utilization management program for the St. Luke’s Reference Lab. Jennifer also co-led advocacy efforts to establish genetic counseling licensing legislation in Idaho, which passed in 2015, and owned and operated a private-practice telehealth genetic counseling service from 2018 to 2023.
In 2017, Jennifer joined Boise State University to develop and direct the fully online MS in Genetic Counseling program. She served as instructor of record for 19 credits of the MSGC program every year and has been recognized as a leader in online education, inclusive pedagogy, and active learning. She also served as a Dialogue Facilitator and Search Advocate. In 2026, Jennifer transitioned back to clinical care by joining the Genetic Support Foundation as a genetic counselor, while continuing as adjunct faculty at Boise State.
Jennifer has received the nationally recognized Innovator Award from the Association of Community Cancer Centers and the St. Luke’s President’s Award in 2014. She was named Outstanding Alumni Awardee for the UT-Houston program in 2019 and was selected for the MSTI50 Impact Recognition by St. Luke’s in 2020. She received the Boise State School of Allied Health Sciences Vision and Leadership Award in 2021 and the College of Health Sciences Excellence in Faculty Leadership Award in 2026.
Jennifer has been involved with the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), the Genetic Counselors Educators Association (GCEA), the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC), and the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), serving as a leader and member in various capacities. She has served as president of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), co-chaired the NSGC Education SIG and Diversity SIG, and served on numerous committees, including the ABGC Nominating Committee and Item Writing Committee. She has also served on the boards of directors for the Idaho Society of Clinical Oncology, the ALS Association Evergreen Chapter, and NF Idaho Inc.
Courses:
- GENCOUN 549 Clinical Genetics