Gayun Chan-Smutko, MS, CGC, is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Associate Chair of the Genetic Counseling department at MGH Institute of Health Professions. She serves on the IHP Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion or JEDI Council, the Racial Equity, Justice and Inclusion “Leading for Change” Taskforce, and is a member of the JEDI Community of Practice.

Prior to joining the IHP, Ms. Chan-Smutko was a senior genetic counselor in the Center for Cancer Risk Assessment, where she provided genetic counseling services to patients within the diverse clinical programs at the MGH Cancer Center and Outreach clinics from 2002-2018. Her clinical and academic work focused on hereditary renal cell carcinoma syndromes. She was also Assistant Director of the MS in Genetic Counseling Program at Brandeis University from 2014-2018 and was part of the Brandeis Class of 2002.

Ms. Chan-Smutko has served on work groups and sub-committees for the VHL Alliance, National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) including the NSGC J.E.D.I. Action Planning Taskforce, and Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD). She is a founding member of the AGCPD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce.

  • BS, Cellular Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • MS, Genetic Counseling, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

Ms. Chan-Smutko's research interests include psychosocial care of emerging young adults with hereditary susceptibility to cancer; genetic counseling pedagogy; diversity, equity and inclusion in genetic counseling.

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Awards and Honors

Nancy T. Watts Award for Excellence in Teaching 2022

This award honors a distinguished Institute faculty member who has excelled in meeting the excellence in teaching criteria and is recognized by students, faculty colleagues, and other members of the community.

Outstanding Faculty Award 2021

This award honors a distinguished instructor who demonstrates excellence in teaching and supporting the education, growth, and development of GC students. Awarded by the IHP GC Class of 2021.

NSGC Leadership Award in Diversity and Inclusion 2019

The Leader in Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes one outstanding individual who has demonstrated leadership and/or exemplary achievements in dedication to diversity and inclusion efforts within the genetic counseling profession.

Heart of the Genetic Counselor Award 2019

Presented by the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and Invitae, the award pays tribute to distinguished genetic counselors who provide exceptional and irreplaceable care to families dealing with major health challenges.

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