What we do and how we do it
Our Mission
Promote genetic education for current and prospective genetics professionals in Tennessee and surrounding states
Host annual education conference and workshops
Increase patient access to genetic counseling services
Support National Society of Genetic Counselors federal advocacy activities
Provide support and resources to help TN genetic counselors secure licensure
Provide genetic resources to patients, clinicians, and students
Advise patients and clinicians considering a genetic counseling appointment
Connect prospective genetic counseling students with education and shadowing opportunities
Support organizations and research geared toward improving the lives of our patients
Offer grants for genetics-focused research
Offer grants for prospective students applying to genetic counseling graduate programs
Membership
All genetic counselors or genetics professionals who work in the state of Tennessee are eligible for membership. In order to become a member, please contact us. If you currently do not work as a genetic professional but live in the state of Tennessee and would like to join, please contact us and the executive committee will review your request.
TNGCA Leadership
alise blake, ms, cgc
PRESIDENT
After completing her MS in Genetic Counseling at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2019, Alise began her work as a pediatric oncology genetic counselor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Alise enjoys caring for patients, mentoring students, and contributing to research. For these reasons, she decided to continue her education at the University of Memphis and enrolled in a doctorate of education in Higher Education in 2020 and will (hopefully) graduate in the next year. Alise served on the TNGCA Awards Committee for three years before serving as the TNGCA Vice President in 2024 and President in 2025.
Sara Lewis, MS, CGC
VICE-PRESIDENT
Sara Lewis, MS, CGC, is a senior genetic counselor in the Department of Hematology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. After receiving her Master of Science in Medical Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006, Sara worked as an adult cancer counselor for several years. She joined St. Jude in 2017 as their first hematology genetic counselor and is privileged to work with patients with a wide variety of hematologic conditions. Her interests include increasing access to genetic services for patients, student education, and investigating the genetics of various rare blood disorders.
Passant Shaker, MS, CGC
SECRETARY & TREASURER
Passant Shaker is a licensed, board-certified genetic counselor, currently serving as TNGCA’s Secretary/Treasurer. Passant obtained her MS in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Keck Graduate Institute in Claremont, California in 2023. After graduation, she began her work that summer as a pediatric hematology genetic counselor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Passant’s passions include advocating for patients and promoting education with special interests in rare disorders and expanding cultural diversity in the field of genetics and genomics.
LilyAnne Grieve, MS, CGC
COMMITTEE DIRECTOR
LilyAnne Grieve, MS, CGC completed her Master of Science in Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University in 2023. Shortly after graduation, Lily began her career as a pediatric oncology genetic counselor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. In this role, Lily has merged her passions for patient care and research, focusing on topics including health care transition, service delivery models, and access to care. In her free time, Lily enjoys exploring Memphis, spending time with her cat, Zombie, and reading everything the library has to offer.