A middle school class trip to a genetics
laboratory and a high school advanced
biology course introduced Anna Cisler
to the world of genetics and inspired
her to become a genetic counselor.
“I like medicine. I like teaching and
learning. I like interacting with people,”
she said. “So genetic counseling is a
perfect combination of those elements.”
Anna collects and assesses patient and
family health information to help patients
understand genetic health risk factors
that may be present in their family. She
enjoys educating patients about their
genetic health history so that they can
make informed decisions about their
health and the care they want to receive.
“I talk to patients about what genetic
testing or evaluation(s) may be helpful,
how genetic testing works, and what the
results of a test may mean for them and their families,” Anna said. “If a diagnosis is established, we help coordinate care that patient might need moving forward and also discuss how that information may impact other family members.”
Like many areas of medicine, genetics is not always black and white, there are a lot of grey areas. “I’m here to help patients and their providers navigate through the complex world of medical genetics,” Anna said.
Anna earned her bachelor’s degree in
genetics from the University of Wisconsin-
Madison. She then received her Master of Science in human genetics and genetic
counseling from the University of Michigan. “Always a Badger at heart,” she said.
When she’s not working, Anna is an active member of multiple volunteer organizations in the community, enjoys playing softball and volleyball, practicing yoga, and hikes with her dog.