I was born and raised in the Bay Area and attended high school in Berkeley, California. It was during my freshman year of high school that I first learned about the field of genetic counseling and instantly fell in love. Genetic counselors have the unique ability to combine the challenges of understanding and adapting to the ever-changing world of science and genetics with a love of caring for and connecting with people and patients. Since first learning about the career, my goal has always been to join the field of genetic counseling and use my passion to help others learn about and adapt to how genetics impacts themselves and their loved ones.
Our Genetic Counselors
Elise Calonico, MS, LCGC
My Background
Education & Experience
I attended the University of California, Los Angeles for undergraduate school where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychobiology and a minor in society and genetics. Following my time at UCLA, I worked with Kaiser Permanente’s Cancer Clinical Trials Access Program (CCTAP) as a research assistant, helping conduct studies investigating new potential treatments for cancer patients. I then attended graduate school at Stanford University to receive my Master of Science degree in human genetics and genetic counseling. After graduating from Stanford, I was thrilled to join the Kaiser Permanente genetics team. With a passion and commitment to patient care and a genuine love and appreciation of others, I am so honored to be able to call my colleagues my “KP Family.”
About My Practice
I have found something wonderful and unique about every field of genetics, whether it be neurogenetics, cardiology, pediatrics, prenatal or cancer genetics, and thus I feel very fortunate to still be able to divide my time between the various pediatric and adult genetic specialties. Currently, I spend approximately half my time working as a team with one of our clinical geneticists to serve pediatric and general adult genetics patients, and the other half of my time counseling patients in prenatal and hereditary cancer genetics. Each patient provides a challenge and a unique opportunity to learn, and for this I am grateful.
How I Thrive
I enjoy exploring the outdoors by regularly running, hiking and biking. Making time to keep music in my life has always been important to me as well, and I try to sing, play guitar or go to music concerts and shows as often as I can. It is the little things in life like this that help me keep the “thrive” alive.
