Dr. Deborah Cragun has dedicated her life to helping people understand the role genetics plays in health. However, her journey to becoming the director of the genetic counseling program at the USF College of Public Health (COPH) began in an unexpected place.
Originally from Murray, Utah, Cragun initially resisted studying biology.
"When I was in high school, I wanted nothing to do with biology," she said. But her interest shifted in college when she found herself grappling with health issues.
"I was trying to understand some health problems that I was having," Cragun recalled. Soon, she realized that understanding her own health required a deeper dive into biology which guided her degree choices in college.
Cragun earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and biology and then her master's degree in medical genetics from the University of Cincinnati.
This exploration became more personal when Cragun's father was diagnosed with a genetic condition after suffering a blood clot in his lung. The discovery raised concerns about implications for the entire family, yet Cragun noticed a gap in the care they received.
"How does someone get a genetic result and not talk about the family and what implications there are for the family?" she said.
This pivotal experience not only inspired Cragun to pursue genetic counseling but also ignited her drive to ensure that families receive holistic care.
Cragun earned her PhD in community family health from the COPH in 2013 and now leads research and trains the next generation of genetic counselors at the COPH with an emphasis on patient-centered care.
She reflected on how challenging it can be for patients when genetic counseling sessions are overly technical.
"Genetic counselors are supposed to help facilitate decision-making, not just throw out information and then ask, 'Well, what do you want to do?'" she explained.
Cragun emphasized that information alone is not enough; patients also need guidance that considers their values and life circumstances.
