Faculty

Faculty180 – Vita and Individual Profile Data Sheet

Stephanie Gandomi, MS

Fall 1980 - Fall 2120

Associate Professor I

Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program

StephanieGandomi@scuhs.edu

Current Position

Position: Program Director, Master of Science in Genetic Counseling

Biography

Stephanie Gandomi is a board certified, licensed genetic counselor. She earned her Master of Science in genetic counseling at Brandeis University in 2006 and her MBA from Boise State University in 2019. In 2006, Stephanie co-founded the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinic at Stanford Perinatal Diagnostic Center in Salinas, and in 2013, joined Ambry genetics as a variant classification genetic counselor for microarray and whole exome sequencing. In 2013, she became the product manager for Ambry’s clinical genomics (WES). In 2015, Stephanie joined Invitae laboratory supporting the rare disease commercial segment of Medical Affairs with a focus on clinical whole exome sequencing. In 2016, Stephanie was hired as the first genetic counselor in the Blue Cross Blue Shield System of payers as the Principal Program Manager for precision medicine at Blue Shield of California and was also the co-founder of the Boise State University Genetic Counseling Master of Science program. Stephanie became the Director of Genetics at UnitedHealthcare in 2016, supporting prior authorization and medical policy creation for genetics, and served as a Director for Market Access at genetic testing laboratories including Ambry and GeneDx. Stephanie is an AAPC Certified Professional Coder for insurance billing and reimbursement and an AAPC Certified Professional Compliance Officer for insurance-related regulatory (CMS, OIG, HIPAA, etc.). She frequently lectures on insurance-related topics and has collaborated with insurance Special Investigations Units nationwide as a healthcare fraud subject matter expert. Stephanie has also been formally trained in pre-and-perinatal psychology, somatic-based therapy, marriage and family therapy, and trauma-based counseling.

Degrees

2019

M.B.A., Business Administration, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States

2006

M.S., Genetic Counseling, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts

2000

B.A., Communications, Public Relations & Journalism, Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida, United States

In Progress

J.D., Law, Northwestern California University School of Law, Sacramento, California, United States

Professional Licensures (Healthcare)

Genetic Counseling, California, United States, GC000396, Active, 2021, May 2027

Certifications (Healthcare)

American Academy of Professional Coders, Certified Professional Coder , Billing & reimbursement, 01883612, 2021-06-01, 2025-06-01

American Academy of Professional Coders, Certified Professional Compliance Officer, 01883612, 2021-05-01, 2025-05-01

American Board of Genetic Counselors, Board Certification in Genetic Counseling, 12275, 2009-08-31, 2029-12-31

Post-Graduate Training

Type: Post-Baccalaureate , Chicago School for Professional Psychology, Professional training, Pre-and-perinatal psychology, August 2007, August 2009

Type: Post-Baccalaureate , Chicago School for Professional Psychology, Post-Baccalaureate , Somatic-based clinical therapy, August 2007, August 2008

Type: Post-Baccalaureate , Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Post-Baccalaureate , Trauma based therapy, August 2007, August 2009

Type: Post-Baccalaureate , Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Post-Baccalaureate , Marriage & family therapy, August 2006, August 2008

Work Experience

2023 - 2023

Director, Market Access, GeneDx

Adjunct Lecturer, Genetic Counseling Assistant Program, UCSD

2023 - Ongoing

Program Director, Southern California University of Health Sciences, California

2020 - 2023

Market Access Director, Policy Specialist, Ambry Genetics

2019 - 2020

Director, Genetics, UnitedHealthcare

2017 - 2019

Assistant Program Director, Master of Science in Genetic Counseling, Boise State University

2016 - 2019

Principal Program Manager, Genomics & Precision Medicine, Blue Shield of California

2015 - 2016

Genetic Counselor, Medical Affairs & Regional Manager, Invitae Laboratory

2013 - 2015

Genetic Counselor & Product Manager, Ambry Genetics

2010 - 2012

Genetic Counselor, Community Health Supervisor, University of California at Davis Medical Center

2006 - 2010

Clinical Genetic Counselor, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford Medical Center

2003 - 2006

Research Genetic Counselor, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital

Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

Journal Article

Completed/Published

Notestine, R.; Singletary, C. N.; Choates, M.; Gandomi, S.; Daniels, M.; Lunstroth, R.; Stein, Q. Fraud in Genetic Testing: Swindling the System. 2024, 101248.

Pilarski, R.; Noble, S.; Hoang, L.; Hew, R.; Gandomi, S.; LaDuca, H.; Dolinsky, J. Divergent Payor Medical Policy Leads to Gross Disparities in Access to Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genetic Testing. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism 2021, 132, S54.

Gandomi, S. K.; Parra, M.; Reeves, D.; Yap, V.; Gau, C.-L. Array-CGH Is an Effective First-Tier Diagnostic Test for EFTUD2-Associated Congenital Mandibulofacial Dysostosis with Microcephaly. Clinical genetics 2015, 87, 80–84.

Farwell, K. D.; Shahmirzadi, L.; El-Khechen, D.; Powis, Z.; Chao, E. C.; Tippin Davis, B.; Baxter, R. M.; Zeng, W.; Mroske, C.; Parra, M. C.; Gandomi, S. K.; Lu, I.; Li, X.; Lu, H.; Lu, H.-M.; Salvador, D.; Ruble, D.; Lao, M.; Fischbach, S.; Wen, J.; Lee, S.; Elliott, A.; Dunlop, C. L.; Tang, S. Enhanced Utility of Family-Centered Diagnostic Exome Sequencing with Inheritance Model-Based Analysis: Results from 500 Unselected Families with Undiagnosed Genetic Conditions. 2015, 17, 578–586.

LaDuca, H.; Stuenkel, A. J.; Dolinsky, J. S.; Keiles, S.; Tandy, S.; Pesaran, T.; Chen, E.; Gau, C.-L.; Palmaer, E.; Shoaepour, K.; Shah, D.; Speare, V.; Gandomi, S.; Chao, E. Utilization of Multigene Panels in Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Testing: Analysis of More than 2,000 Patients. 2014, 16, 830–837.

Roberts, J. L.; Gandomi, S. K.; Parra, M.; Lu, I.; Gau, C.-L.; Dasouki, M.; Butler, M. G. Clinical Report of a 17q12 Microdeletion with Additionally Unreported Clinical Features. 2014, 2014, 264947.

Gandomi, S. K.; Farwell Gonzalez, K. D.; Parra, M.; Shahmirzadi, L.; Mancuso, J.; Pichurin, P.; Temme, R.; Dugan, S.; Zeng, W.; Tang, S. Diagnostic Exome Sequencing Identifies Two Novel IQSEC2 Mutations Associated with X-Linked Intellectual Disability with Seizures: Implications for Genetic Counseling and Clinical Diagnosis. 2014, 23, 289–298.

Gandomi, S.; Weins, A.; Kenlan, P.; Pollak, M. Mutational and Biological Analysis of Alpha-Actinin-4 Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. 2006.

Weins, A.; Kenlan, P.; Herbert, S.; Le, T. C.; Villegas, I.; Kaplan, B. S.; Appel, G. B.; Pollak, M. R. Mutational and Biological Analysis of Alpha-Actinin-4 in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN 2005, 16, 3694–3701.

Reiser, J.; Polu, K. R.; Möller, C. C. C.; Kenlan, P.; Altintas, M. M. M.; Wei, C.; Faul, C.; Herbert, S.; Villegas, I.; Avila-Casado, C.; McGee, M.; Sugimoto, H.; Brown, D.; Kalluri, R.; Mundel, P.; Smith, P. L.; Clapham, D. E.; Pollak, M. R. TRPC6 Is a Glomerular Slit Diaphragm-Associated Channel Required for Normal Renal Function. 2005, 37, 739–744.

Other Scholarly Work

Completed/Published

Gandomi, S. Genetic Counselors Question Profession’s Future Amid Ongoing Reimbursement Challenges. GenomeWeb News Article 2024.

Gandomi, S. Society for Women’s Health Research Genetic Screening Roadmap: A Clinician's Guide to Providing Quality Maternal Health Care. Genetic Screening Roadmap: A Clinician’s Guide to Providing Quality Maternal Health Care 2021.

Poster Presentation

Completed/Published

S., T.; Gandomi, S.; K., G.; L., S.; J., M.; P., P.; R., T.; S., D.; W., Z. Clinical Exome Sequencing Identifies Two Novel IQSEC2 Mutations Associated with X-Linked Intellectual Disability with Seizures: Implications for Genetic Counseling and Clinical Diagnosis. 63rd Annual Meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics, 2013.

K., G.; L., S.; E., C.; Gandomi, S. Diagnostic Exome Sequencing Is Uniquely Useful in the Identification of Multi-Gene Alterations: Oligogenic Findings Make-up a Significant Portion of Previously Undiagnosed Patients . 63rd Annual Meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics, 2013.

Gandomi, S.; S., R.; M., P.; C.l., G.; M., B. Clinical Report of a 17q12 Microdeletion with Additional Unreported Clinical Features: Expansion on the Phenotype. 32nd National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, 2013.

Gandomi, S.; Soto, S.; Juusola, J. Medical Policy Variability as a Contributing Factor to Healthcare Disparities. Global Genes Patient Advocacy Summit, 2023.

Pilarski, R.; Noble, S.; Hoang, L.; Hew, R.; Gandomi, S.; LaDuca, H.; Dolinsky, J. Inequitable Access to Genetic Testing Leads to Missed Screening and Prevention Opportunities for Individuals at Risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Research, 2022.

Gandomi, S.; K., G.; D., C.; J., L.; J., C.; L., S. Exome Sequencing Identifies Five Mutations in the DYNC1H1 Gene Associated with Severe Neurological Phenotypes. American College of Medical Genetics, 2014.

Gandomi, S.; K., G.; L., S.; Z., P.; S., T. Clinical Diagnostic Exome Sequencing Identifies an Expanding Spectrum of Phenotypically Variable Single-Gene Disorders Associated with Seizures. 67th Annual American Epilepsy Society Conference, 2013.

Gandomi, S.; M., P.; V., Y.; D., R.; C.l., G. Case Report of a 17q21.31 Microdeletion Associated with EFTUD2 Mandibulofacial Dysostosis with Microcephaly Identified by Comparative Genomic Hybridization . 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, 2013.

L., S.; K., G.; S., T.; E., C.; Gandomi, S.; B., T. Diagnostic Exome Sequencing Beneficial among Patients with a Prior Diagnosis. 32nd Annual National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, 2013.

Gandomi, S.; M., P.; J., K.; CL, G.; K, M. Clinical Report of Concurrent Trisomy 21 and 22q11.21 Microdeletion Identified through Array-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization. 32rd National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, 2013.

Gandomi, S.; A, N. A Case Report of Elevated Serum Alpha Fetoprotein and Sonographic Features Associated with Mosaic Trisomy 8. National Society of Genetic Counselors 26th Annual Education Conference, 2007.

Gandomi, S.; N., M. Assessment of an Experiential Pilot Program to Teach Clinical Supervision to Genetic Counseling Students . National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, 2006.

Gandomi, S.; Yao, J.; Pollak, M. Attitudes of Genetic Testing and Genetic Counseling for Familial Autosomal Dominant Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: A Family Perspective. . National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, 2005.

Accepted

Gandomi, S.; Soto, S.; Juusola, J. Health Insurance Discrepancies: A Cause of Healthcare Disparity in the NICU. Nemour’s Children's Hospital Hot Topics in Neonatology, 2023.

Presentation

Completed/Published

Gandomi, S.; Soto, S.; Juusola, J.; Sassaman, A. Medical Policy Variability as a Contributing Factor to Healthcare Disparities and Access to Care. UC Davis Human Genetics Symposium, 2023.

Gandomi, S.; Soto, S.; Juusola, J. Medical Policy Variability as a Contributing Factor to Healthcare Disparities and Access to Care: Focus on Policy in Patients with Clinical Epilepsy. Valley Children’s Hospital Northern California Genetics Exchange, 2023.

Gandomi, S.; Moore, C.; Pasion, R.; Smith, S.; Scarff, M. Genetic Counselor’s Growing Influence on Insurance: Why Our Voice Is Vital to Advocate for Equitable and Sustainable Genetic Testing. National Society of Genetic Counselor Annual Education Conference, 2023.

Gandomi, S. Don’t Eat the Marshmallow: Insurance Issues That Impact Patient Access to Care. Ambry Genetics CEU Educational Series, 2023.

Gandomi, S.; Kieran, S. When Opportunity Knocks, Build A Door: An Interactive Session to Build Successful Business Cases to Solve Everyday Challenges. National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, 2022.

Gandomi, S. The Evolution of Whole Exome Medical Policy: Payer Coverage and What Clinicians Need to Know. Ambry Genetics CEU Educational Series, 2022.

Bergner, A.; Gandomi, S.; Rosen-Sheidley, B.; Helbig, K. EpiGC: A Collaborative Approach to An Emerging Professional and Clinical Need. National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Education Conference, 2016.

Gandomi, S. Identifying Possible Conflicts of Interest for Research Genetic Counselors. National Society of Genetic Counselors and Canadian Society of Genetic Counsellors, 2006.

Gandomi, S.; Yao, J. The Natural History of Alpha-Actinin-4 Associated FSGS . American Society of Nephrology Annual Conference, 2004.

Honors and Awards

Fall 2023 - Fall 2023

Blue Shield of California Mission & Values in Action Award Winner, 2019, Blue Shield of California

Ambry Genetics All-Star Award, 2022, Ambry Genetics

CEO Circle Award Winner, 2022, Ambry Genetics

Market Access Director of the Year, 2022, Ambry Genetics

Professional Membership

Fall 2023 - Ongoing

American Academy of Professional Coders, March 2020, PRESENT

Healthcare Compliance Association, August 2023, PRESENT

Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors, November 2023, PRESENT

State Bar of California , August 2023, PRESENT , Student Member

Fall 2023 - Spring 2025

Regulatory Affairs Professional Society, August 2023, PRESENT

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I chose SCU when looking for a PA program because of their Integrative Medicine approach. I am from Michigan, and not many programs focus on this Integrative, Holistic approach when it comes to patient care in the Midwest, and I felt that was very important for me to learn as a future provider. My transition to semi-virtual learning has been very smooth and quite enjoyable. [su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Read More..." open="No"]My favorite part about attending SCU is how tight-knit and diverse the community is. Coming from a large undergrad university and moving so far, it was very important for me to have a PA program that made me feel valued and invested in my success. At SCU, they do a great job of making you feel that.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

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