Department of Clinical Sciences

Kimberly L. Foil, MS, CGC, is a licensed and Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC and assistant professor and founding director of the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program in the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She provides program leadership and administration, teaches medical genetics and thesis preparation courses, and is passionate about innovative education for the next generation of genetic counselors.

Foil completed her Master of Medical Genetics degree and genetic counseling training at the University of Cincinnati in 2008. Following early career experience in prenatal genetics, she joined the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy & Sleep Medicine in the MUSC College of Medicine in 2014 and has been embedded in the pediatric and adult cystic fibrosis (CF) care teams for over a decade. She provides genetic counseling for patients and families affected by CF across the lifespan.

Her research interests include CF fertility and family planning, modulator use in gestation and lactation, mental health and wellness, and genetic counseling for families of infants with positive newborn screens. Foil is also engaged with the MUSC Health Cardiovascular Genetics program, the MUSC In Our DNA SC population genomics research program, and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) genetics and resource development.

Lauren Gellar, Ph.D., MS, MCHES, is a professor and director of the Division of Healthcare Studies in the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her work focuses on advancing innovation in health professions education through curriculum development, student, faculty and staff development, and the integration of artificial intelligence in teaching and research.

With more than 15 years of experience in higher education and 20 years in health research, Dr. Gellar is committed to expanding access, supporting non-traditional and first-generation learners, and preparing a future-ready health care workforce through collaborative, student-centered leadership.