Genetic counselor digs into family traits to help patients plan for the future

 Genetic counseling sounds like a futuristic job used for crafting superhumans out of the best genes available.

Tessa Pitman, a board-certified genetic counselor based at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, is used to the goofy implications and connotations that come with her job title.

“We’re not cloning people,” she said with a laugh. “But we can definitely explain to someone who is interested the options afforded to them by genetic counseling.”

When not defending herself against science-fiction accusations, Pitman provides answers to patients interested in their genetic histories. This can be as simple as analyzing a person’s family history to see if there are genetic mutations that might cause disease.

Pitman said she often deals with prospective parents looking at the likelihood a child will get a recessive or undesirable trait. 

“A referral is never about ‘How do I have a baby with blue eyes?’” she said. “We counsel based on medical needs. It’s about really developing relationships with the patient.”

One thing Pitman is capable and willing to do is show the odds of inheriting a dangerous cancer-causing gene, for example.

“A common concern families have is a relative has a specific condition, what are the chances a child could have this?” she said. “Depending on how they feel about the number, we help them navigate their options. We have to be strategic about it.”

While she does not do the lab work and testing herself, the counseling part of Pitman’s title comes out when sitting down with patients. Advising and providing information allow patients to make conscientious decisions about treatment.

“I help interpret family histories from test results,” Pitman said. “It’s going to be different for every family. I want them to be the best informed they can be.”

Pitman, an employee at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, is on loan to Kalispell Regional, providing an additional counselor to the Flathead. The demand is growing.

She said in the past 12 years, 979 patients have sought some kind of genetic counseling in the Flathead Valley, including $3.5 million in care for low-income families. Pitman said Shodair tries to tackle health concerns of Montanans, even those without necessary funding. 

“Shodair is just always willing to be a provider to any patient throughout the state,” she said. “We’re happy to address those needs. We are never going to turn someone down because of money, but it is an expensive, time-consuming test.”

Shodair’s genetic lab dates back to the early 1980s, and Pitman works closely with it to give detailed and timely information to patients and providers.

“It’s so helpful from a clinical standpoint,” she said. “I can speak directly to lab technicians and let them know exactly what I’m looking for.”

Pitman, a native of Dutton, graduated from Augsburg College in Minnesota before going to the University of Utah for her master’s in genetic counseling. Her first experience with the job was interning with families in Utah. Shodair hired her five years ago and she has been working in Helena ever since.

Shodair noticed the need in the Flathead and reassigned her in April to Kalispell Regional. Her office in the Bass Breast Center is simple. Some sunlight trickles into the relaxed workspace where she meets with families and providers.

Her relocation to Kalispell was a calculated decision by Shodair to increase coverage in the Flathead.

“I’m here to provide that accessibility to patients and provide my services,” Pitman said. “In Montana there is weather and not everyone can drive all over. Genetic counseling is continuing to grow.”

Lyndsay Bruno, director of communications and marketing at Shodair, said Pitman’s presence here is a valuable toehold for genetic counseling.

“It’ll be great for Tessa to be up there to give us a presence and increase those numbers,” she said, referring to the 979 patients.

Sometimes she admits her job isn’t easy. Telling parents any children will have a high chance of a life-threatening genetic defect or illness weighs heavily.

Even with that being the case, some of the hardest-hit families make her job worthwhile.

“The resilience in some of these families is inspiring,” Pitman said.

She has expanded to become more of a generalist instead of just doing neonatal counseling. 

“We see people of all ages,” Pitman said and noted that her position was part of a larger genetic science. “We are just one rung on the ladder. We can give answers.”

She hopes to remain in Kalispell for a long time, providing families of the Flathead with insight on genetic questions.

She’ll get back to you on the cloning, however.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.