Spring 2026 Updates
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
Presidential Updates:
“Our SCGC Board of Directors kicked off the year in January with our second in-person BOD meeting at the OC Library in Costa Mesa. We discussed our history, our organization’s progress, and the exciting goals that we aim to achieve this year and beyond. We welcomed several new board members, welcomed back those returning, and gave a big thank you to outgoing committee chairs and officers. We can’t wait to see what our wonderful committees and volunteers have in store this year for SCGC. Looking forward to seeing you all at the AEC in May!”
- Lauren Siems, President
Annual Education Conference Updates:
The Southern California Genetic Counselors (SCGC) invites you to join us for our 8th Annual Education Conference (AEC)! Join us as we bring together dynamic speakers and presenters for a meaningful and engaging event designed for the Southern California genetic counseling community.
WHEN: Friday, May 8th, 2026
WHERE: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Registration is now OPEN! We have several registration options for conference attendees. Please select your ticket carefully as we will not be issuing refunds. Registration is required to attend. No day-of registration will be available. We encourage attendees to register early as we have a limited capacity.
2026 AEC Registration Fees:
SCGC Members:
In Person or Virtual with CEUs: $65
In Person or Virtual without CEUs: $30
SCGC Non-Members:
In Person or Virtual with CEUs: $90
In Person or Virtual without CEUs: $55
Current GC Students:
In Person or Virtual: Free
Sponsors:
With CEUs: $35
Without CEUs: Free
Registration closes on Friday, April 24th, 2026 at 5:00PM PDT.
The conference presentations will also be broadcast LIVE via Zoom for those who register to attend virtually. Please visit the SCGC website to register and for more information about the SCGC 2026 AEC, including the preliminary program and information about CEUs.
Interested in Sponsorship?
This year’s conference has multiple opportunities for sponsorship. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email scgcsponsors@gmail.com.
Questions? Please email us at info@socalgc.org
Upcoming Webinars
It’s almost graduation season…which means webinars for April and May will feature research completed by recent and soon to be graduates from our local programs!
Student Thesis Presentations
Date: 4/29 and 5/1
Time: 12pm PST
Registration information to be released soon!
With more hours of daylight and temperatures warming up, we are so excited to bring you four social events in the month of April to celebrate spring! Events are happening all over Southern California, with a variety of activities to participate in. Find one near you and sign up!
Los Angeles
Bird Watching/Hike
Location: Ballona Wetlands Reserve
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 9:00am
Orange County
Newport Back Bay Loop Trail Hike
Parking: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
Date: Saturday, April 18th
Time: Meet up at 8:00am
Inland Empire
Location: Hangar 24 (Riverside)
5225 Canyon Crest Dr UNIT 58, Riverside, CA 92507
Date: Thursday, April 16th
Time: 6:00pm
San Diego
Location: Carruth Wine Cellars at Liberty Station
2710 Historic Decatur Rd Barracks 17, San Diego, CA 92106
Date: Tuesday, April 21
Time: 5:00pm
DEI Committee Updates:
Coming soon...
SCGC will be sharing an updated statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. This statement reflects an important evolution in our values and outlines how justice, accountability, and action guide our work as a professional community. Look for the full statement in a separate post later this month.
Book Club Announcement!
The DEI Committee is continuing their book club and the next book they’re reading is “The Gene” by Siddhartha Mukherjee. With so much to talk about, discussions are being split up into two sessions happening in April and June. Whether you've read a little or the whole book or not, participate however you're comfortable!
Scholarship Updates:
At the end of 2025 we awarded Ammerica Barraza Saucedo with our second annual Prospective Genetic Counseling Student Scholarship.
Congratulations, Ammerica!
"I am honored to be a recipient of the 2025 SCGC Scholarship. As a first generation Latina in STEM and first time applicant, navigating the application process has been difficult. With the help of this scholarship, I was able to focus on preparing a strong application rather than worrying about the financial burden. I’ve chosen to focus on applying to programs that nurture my interest in offering accessible care to Spanish speaking patients. Like SCGC, I aim to increase patient access to genetic services through learning how communities like my own navigate accessing genetic counseling, whether through interpreter services or with a family member serving as an interpreter and advocate. Being chosen as a scholarship recipient serves as an affirmation in my path as a genetic counselor. I am equally grateful to all my mentors and colleagues in the field. Their support has fueled my commitment to changing the healthcare landscape, that is making it more equitable and joining the 4% of Spanish speaking genetic counselors."
- Ammerica Barraza Saucedo
If you would like to donate to our scholarship fund so that we can continue to supp
ort prospective students please visit our website:
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