Biography
Since 2001, Mary Freivogel has had a wide range of experience in both the operational
and clinical aspects of cancer genetic counseling. Her career has included positions in
sales and marketing, a key role with a start-up company providing cancer genetic counseling
via telephone, and several self-created opportunities where she established cancer genetic
counseling programs from the ground up. She has been a speaker in various venues on topics
related to cancer genetics. She is a proponent of making genetic counselors more efficient
and effective in their interactions with patients and healthcare providers.
Mary’s main interest is designing novel systems to identify and counsel patients at-risk for
hereditary cancer. At the beginning of 2009, Mary accepted a position at Invision Sally Jobe and has
established the Risk Assessment and Prevention Program. Through this program, patients obtain
a detailed breast cancer risk assessment, as well as a risk assessment for other types of cancer.
They learn about medical management options to detect cancer early, if not prevent it altogether.
Genetic counseling and testing are included as part of the program for patients who are candidates.
Mary is working to implement processes at Invision Sally Jobe that efficiently identify patients
at high-risk for breast cancer and effectively communicate this risk to these patients and their
referring physicians.
At the beginning of 2009, Mary accepted a position at Invision Sally Jobe and has established
the Risk Assessment and Prevention Program. Through this program, patients obtain a detailed breast
cancer risk assessment, as well as a risk assessment for other types of cancer. They learn about
medical management options to detect cancer early, if not prevent it altogether. Genetic counseling
and testing are included as part of the program for patients who are candidates. Mary is working to
implement processes at Invision Sally Jobe that efficiently identify patients at high-risk for breast
cancer and effectively communicate this risk to these patients and their referring physicians.
Education
Masters of Science
Biophysics and Genetics,
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 2001
Bachelor of Science
Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude
Creighton University, 1998
Certification and Licensure
- Licensed Genetic Counselor in the state of Utah, 2009 – present
- Licensed Genetic Counselor in the state of Illinois, 2009 – present
- Licensed Genetic Counselor in the state of Tennessee, 2009 – present
- Licensed Genetic Counselor in the state of Oklahoma, 2009 – present
- Human Subjects Certification, 2009 - present
- Physician’s Practical Guide to Culturally Competent Care, 2009
- Diplomat of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, 2002
Previous Positions
Genetic Counselor (10/2007 – 1/2009)
Informed Medical Decisions, Inc.
Tampa, Florida
Genetic Consultant (1/2007 – 10/2007)
Arapahoe Gastroenterology, P.C.
Littleton, Colorado
Product Manager (4/2004 – 1/2006)
Myriad Genetics
Salt Lake City, Utah
Account Executive (4/2001 – 4/2004)
Myriad Genetics
Salt Lake City, Utah
Publications
- Weissman, S. M., Bellcross, C., Chimera Bittner, C., Freivogel, M. E., Larsen Haidle, J.,
Kaurah, P., Leininger, A., Palaniappan, S., Steenblock, K., Vu, T. M., and Daniels, M. S.
Genetic counseling considerations in the evaluation of families for Lynch syndrome.
Submitted to Journal of Genetic Counseling.
- Dudley-Brown, S., & Freivogel, M. (2009). Hereditary colorectal cancer in the
gastroenterology clinic: How common are at-risk patients and how do we find them?
Gastroenterology Nursing, 32(1), 8-16.
- Freivogel, M. E. (2005). Various entries. In The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders
(2nd Ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale.
- Freivogel, M. E. (2001). Various entries. In The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders
(1st Ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale.
Abstracts and Posters
- Brinton, J.T., Freivogel, M., Barke, L. D., Jackson, S., O’Donnell, C. I., and Glueck,
D. H. Women are rarely screened in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines: Only
one in sixteen women at high risk for breast cancer get an MRI as an adjunct to mammography.
Submitted to Radiological Society of North America; Chicago, IL; December 2010.
- Freivogel, M.E., Heydlauff, S., Barke, L.D. Identification of candidates for breast MRI
screening: Is the Gail model adequate? National Consortium of Breast Centers, 19th Annual
National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference; Las Vegas, NV; March 2010.
Invited Presentations
- Large Scale Identification of Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer. National Consortium of Breast Centers, 19th Annual National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference; Las Vegas, NV; March 2010.
- Telephone and Web-Based Genetic Counseling. NSGC Annual Education Conference; Atlanta, GA; November 2009.
- Breast Cancer Risk Assessment. Innovations in Women’s Cancer Prevention, Detection, & Management (Sponsored by HealthONE, Swedish Medical Center and Invision Sally Jobe); Denver, CO; November 2009.
- Breast Cancer Screening and Managing High Risk Patients. St. Anthony's Medical Center – on behalf of COPIC; Denver, CO; October 2009.
- Breast Cancer Screening and Managing High Risk Patients. Aspen Valley Medical Center – on behalf of COPIC; Aspen, CO; May 2009.
- Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer. High Tech Prevention Summit; Aspen, CO; October 2008.
- Creating Your Own Job: A Success Story. NSGC Online Educational Conference; August 2008.