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Name: Gisela Rodriguez, MSW, LCSW

Title:   Supervisor of Genetic Outreach Services, Coordinator of the University Regional Newborn Screening Network

Background: Gisela Rodriguez received her B.A. in Sociology in 1975 from Rutgers University and her M.S.W. in 1981 from the Hunter College School of Social Work. Her graduate training was in clinical social work, with a concentration in group therapy. Ms. Rodriguez is certified through the Academy of Certified Social Workers since 1983 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Jersey since 1995. She is also certified as a social work field instructor.

Ms. Rodriguez is the supervisor of the multilingual outreach program, which provides community genetic education and multilingual counseling services. She provides social work services in the genetics multi-specialty team. As of 2002, she is serving as coordinator of the University Regional Newborn Screening Network, which encompasses northern New Jersey . Languages: Fluent in oral and written Spanish and moderate ability in communicating with Portuguese speaking patients.

Professional Interests and Activities: Ms. Rodriguez's major areas of interest are social-cultural influences in health care accessibility and genetic service delivery. Since 1986, she has been the coordinator of the UMDNJ genetic center's projects for overcoming barriers to genetic services. She has conducted evaluations of educational materials on genetics and is involved in the development of multilingual information for diverse communities. Ms. Rodriguez participates in networks for the integration of genetics into primary health care and is committed to the expansion of psycho-social support services. She participated in the National Association of Social Workers' Genetics and Social Work Practice Standards working group.