Laura Birkeland, MS, CGC
Position title: Assistant Professor, Program Director, Master of Genetic Counselor Studies
Address:
Division of Genetics and Metabolism
For Academic Inquiries: (608) 265-4806
Education
BA, Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minnesota
MS, Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
Professional Activities
Laura Birkeland is assistant professor (CHS) in the Division of Genetics and Metabolism in the Department of Pediatrics, as well as the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She serves as program director for the Master of Genetic Counselor Studies (MGCS) program in the School of Medicine and Public Health, where she oversees program administration, provides classroom instruction, and mentors students in academic and research settings. Birkeland is deeply committed to interprofessional collaboration and serves on the steering committee for the UW–Madison Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (CIPE). In alignment with this work, she provides genetic education and clinical training to Maternal-Fetal medicine fellows, Laboratory Genetics and Genomics fellows, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellows, as well as undergraduate students, medical students, and residents.
Clinical Interests
Birkeland brings nearly two decades of clinical experience to her work, with a primary focus in reproductive genetics at the Center for Perinatal Care at UnityPoint Health-Meriter. Her previous clinical roles include providing care to children and families in the Bleeding Disorders Clinic and the Genetics and Metabolism Clinics at UW Health. Given her involvement in both prenatal and pediatric care, she is passionate about care coordination across the continuum from the pre- to postnatal period.
Research Interests
Through mentorship and program leadership, Birkeland integrates research with training to foster a new generation of genetic counselors equipped to critically engage with research and lead in an evolving healthcare environment. Her research focuses on increasing awareness and accessibility of genetic counseling services and improving outcomes through interprofessional education and collaboration.