“I want to be there for patients to provide care, support and education in a kind and understandable manner."
Victoria Ballard, a certified genetic counselor, helps people who have hereditary genetic conditions such as predispositions to cancer or cardiac conditions. She also addresses prenatal and pediatric cases where the pregnancy or child is suspected or at risk for a genetic condition. Ballard works with pediatrics to adults with development delays and seizures.
“I enjoy learning about various genetic conditions and/or concepts and being able to discuss with patients what these factors mean for their own health care management," Ballard said.
Ballard talks with patients before testing about what evaluations may be helpful, and how testing works. After testing, she collaborates with the medical geneticist explain what the results mean and how it may impact family members and coordinating a care plan going forward.
“The most important element of patient care to me is the concept of informed consent," she said. “I prioritize providing proper education to patients to ensure that they are making informed decisions about their health care."
Ballard is passionate about ensuring patients receive the care that they need. “Genetic testing can assist with this by providing information to providers about health risks their patient has and allowing them to help their patient proactively address those risks," she said.
Ballard earned her Master of Science in genetic counseling from the University of Maryland in Baltimore.