Helping is in our DNA
MEET KATRINA HARRISON
I remember the moment I wanted to be a genetic counsellor – Population Genetics 232 lecture at Uni. It was the moment when all the disparate disconnected elements of who I was came together.
My DNA replicated with delight.
A fusion of head and heart. My head for science, my brain for genetics, my mind for the human body AND my heart got to talk to people, to connect, to make a difference. Could this be real? Could I have just found my perfect job?
And so, I began.
I did anything and everything I could to be anywhere within whiffing space to a genetic counsellor. I went to lectures, seminars, joined societies, I did courses and I volunteered. I wanted to absorb everything, even just the atmosphere.
Why am I telling you this?
Because I want you to know I’m a self-made Genetic Counsellor. Pulled myself up by the bootstraps and found my way in. I pieced together my training to become an Associate then it took me 5 years, 20 long cases, 100 short cases, 300 supervision hours, 23 breakfast meetings, a Master’s degree by thesis and one newborn baby to become a fully certified genetic counsellor and it was the best thing I ever did.
It has opened so many doors but best of all it has led me here. It has given me the freedom to open a private practice and bring my 25 years of experience to you and I couldn’t do this if I wasn’t fully certified. So, I started a business, work with a few doctors (you can meet them below), and I wrote this website all by myself.
I’ve told you my story so when you are with me, there is already a connection. You already know me.
Because the most important thing for me is connection.
Connection is everything.
I’m going to get to know you and care about you and your unique set of circumstances. Everyone is different, I have never met two people the same. It might be the same genetic condition, but everyone has different thoughts, feelings, experiences and yours is important to your overall health and wellbeing.
Clients find that working with me is like putting down their heavy business bags at the end of a long journey and sighing a blissful exhale of relief.
Which is great, because I have a chair waiting for you.
My Backstory
I started this business because helping people is in my DNA. There are three generations of female healthcare professionals in my family and I’m busy making the fourth as we speak.
Also,
I didn’t want to see another family searching to get the answers they need before they have another baby. Is it inherited, is it genetic? What is the chance my next baby will also be affected?
I don’t want another couple to have a baby with an unexpected severe life limiting genetic condition when they could have known about it before they became pregnant. No surprises, all the choices.
I don’t want you to wait.
And I also don’t believe
In eugenics and the pursuit of the perfect child because diversity is beautiful.
You should not have direct to consumer testing without talking to us.
You should not have every single genetic test possible because you just want to know.
Genomic Health exists to transform private genetic practice to bring you connection, clarity and the care you deserve.
Meet our Clinical Geneticists
Dr Himanshu Goel
MBBS, MD, DM, FRACP
Dr Himanshu Goel completed MBBS in 2000 from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, the premier medical college of India. He went on to complete his Paediatric and Medical Genetics training from India. He came to Australia as a Fellow in Metabolic Medicine in Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne ion 2008. He won a travel scholarship to present his work in International Congress in Inborn Errors of Metabolism in 2009 at San Diego. He started working as a Clinical Geneticist at Hunter Genetics, NSW Health in 2010. He obtained Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Paediatrics in 2011. He worked as a Clinical Lead in General Genetics Service at Hunter Genetics from 2013-2022. He is an Associate Editor of Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health and vice president of Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists (AACG) in November 2023. His interest areas are general genetics, prenatal genetics, dysmorphology and neurogenetics.
When he is not working you will find him sipping on the finest whiskey and watching his favourite sport - cricket.
Dr Ruvi Samarasekera
More information to follow about our newest addition to the Genomic Health team.
Meet the Director and Principal Genetic Counsellor
Katrina Harrison
BSc, GradDipCouns, MSc, FHGSA
Katrina entered the genetic counselling field in 1999 as a Paediatric Genetic counsellor and quickly transferred into Adult and Prenatal genetics at KEMH. During this time she started her certification, undertook a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the Wasley Institute and began her Masters degree by thesis. She was Principal Genetic Counsellor at Genetic Services of WA and managed the department until starting a family. In 2007 she completed both her certification in Genetic Counselling and gained her Master’s degree from ECU on the topic of Consanguinity in WA. When it was time to return to work she entered the world of research genetic counselling and was a research assistant for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute on a project to determine the underlying genetic causes of congenital heart defects. She then transitioned back into clinical work and worked remotely for Tasmanian Clinical Genetic Services as a senior genetic counsellor. Katrina was also the Tasmanian state coordinator for Mackenzie’s Mission which is a reproductive genetic carrier screening project run by Australian Genomics.
She was also part of the ASGC Mentoring Program for mentoring the next generation of genetic counsellors, has supervised students and genetic counsellors working towards certification as she wants to give back to the ASGC and see the next generation of genetic counsellors succeed. She is part of the Community of Practice for Private Genetic Counsellors through the ASGC, along with Professional Issues committee, and the Professional Practice committee. Katrina has recently been invited on to the Medical and Biomedical Science Consultative committee at ECU which provides high level advice to the university in order to gain industry insight into student success and future career opportunities. She also sits on the ECU Precision Health External Research Advisory Board. Katrina has published multiple journal articles on the topics of congenital hearing loss, congenital heart defects and consanguinity in WA.
She simply adores all things champagne and owns a Lagotto Romagnolo.