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Department
LocationCancer and Hematology Center
Cancer Genetics Clinic
Precision Oncology Consultation Service
Retinoblastoma Program
Texas Medical Center
Specialty
Genetics, Cancer Genetics
Phone: 832-824-4685
Fax: 832-825-4276
Email
sxscollo@texaschildrens.org
Address
1102 Bates Ave., Ste. 1200.12
Houston, TX 77030
Sarah Scollon, MS, CGC
Lead Genetic Counselor, Cancer Genetics Clinic
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine
BCM School of Allied Health, MS Genetic Counseling Training Program, Executive Committee
Education
| School | Education | Degree | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | Masters | Master of Science, Genetic Counseling | 2006 |
| Aquinas College | University | Bachelor of Science, Biology | 2002 |
About
Ms. Sarah Scollon is a board certified genetic counselor and has been practicing in both clinical and research pediatric genetics since 2006. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Genetic Counseling Program and is board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She was awarded the University of Michigan Genetic Counseling Program Diane Baker Alumni Award in 2019.
Ms. Scollon is the clinical coordinator and lead genetic counselor for the pediatric Cancer Genetics Clinic at Texas Children's Hospital. She also provides genetic counseling to patients and families as a part of the Retinoblastoma Center of Houston. Ms. Scollon has had a longstanding dedication to the care of children and families affected by cancer. She is an advocate for including genetic counseling into pediatric cancer care and has been a national leader in the growth of this specialty area. She works to educate others on the role genetics and genomics can play in the care of patients with pediatric cancer and their families both from a clinical and psychosocial standpoint.
Ms. Scollon has worked as the senior genetic counselor with the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded BASIC3 and Texas KidsCanSeq clinical trials at Texas Children's Hospital, examining the incorporation of genomic sequencing of both blood and tumor into the care of pediatric patients with cancer. She has also been the study genetic counselor with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) / Children's Oncology Group (COG) Pediatric MATCH precision oncology trial. She has served in leadership roles in national committees related to these projects, with a particular focus on genetic counseling, patient-provider communication and education, and improving informed consent and return of results processes for new genetic technologies and precision medicine.
Ms. Scollon has also focused on the education of genetic counselors in both pediatric cancer genetics and research. She is a faculty member and course director with the Baylor College of Medicine Genetic Counseling Program.
Board Certifications
American Board of Genetic Counseling
Organizations
| Organization Name | Role |
|---|---|
| National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) | Member |
Research Statement
Ms. Scollon's research interests include pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes and educating healthcare providers in recognizing at risk patients and families in order to provide families education, advocacy, and increase the adoption of prevention and screening for future cancers. She also has conducted research involving the incorporation of genomic sequencing into clinical care.
Her ongoing research will look into the incorporation of genetic counseling into precision oncology. Themes included in Ms. Scollon’s research include:
- optimization of patient-provider communication and education,
- adaptation of genetic counseling practice for evolving technologies in the care of childhood cancer patients, and
- equity and inclusion for diverse populations in genetic medicine and research.
Her work has been published in many peer-reviewed journals, including: JAMA Oncology, Cancer, Genome Medicine, American Journal of Medical Genetics, Journal of Genetic Counseling, Journal of Law Medicine and Ethics, and Personalized Medicine.
Selected Publications
Scollon S, Anglin AK, Thomas M, Turner JT, Wolfe Schneider K. A Comprehensive Review of Pediatric Tumors and Associated Cancer Predisposition Syndromes. J Genet Couns. 2017;26(3):387-434.
Scollon S, Bergstrom K, Kerstein RA, Wang T, Hilsenbeck SG, Ramamurthy U, Gibbs RA, Eng CM, Chintagumpala MM, Berg SL, McCullough LB, McGuire AL, Plon SE, Parsons DW. Obtaining informed consent for clinical tumor and germline exome sequencing of newly diagnosed childhood cancer patients. Genomic Medicine. 2014 Sep 17;6(9):69.
Scollon S, Majumder MA, Bergstrom K, Wang T, McGuire AL, Robinson JO, Gutierrez AM, Lee CH, Hilsenbeck SG, Plon SE, Parsons DW, Street RL Jr. Exome sequencing disclosures in pediatric cancer care: Patterns of communication among oncologists, genetic counselors, and parents. Patient Educ Couns. 2019;102(4):680-686.
Awards & Honors
2019 Diane Baker Alumni Award, University of Michigan, Genetic Counseling Program
Language
English
* Texas Children's Hospital physicians' licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician's office and were not verified by Texas Children's Hospital.