Deborah J. MacDonald, Ph.D., M.S., A.P.N.G.

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Deborah J. MacDonald, Ph.D., M.S., A.P.N.G.

Assistant Professor; Cancer Risk Counselor

Dr. MacDonald is an expert in cancer risk genetic counseling and is credentialed as an Advanced Practice Nurse in Genetics. Her research primarily focuses on intrafamilial risk communication and developing and testing interventions to support positive psychosocial, behavioral, and ethical outcomes of risk identification in moderate and high risk clinical cancer genetic populations. Currently, she is exploring psychosocial well-being issues to develop and test a psychoeducational intervention to support psychosocial well-being, primarily related to loss of fertility and premature menopause, in BRCA+ young women.

Dr. MacDonald joined Dr. Weitzel in early 1997 to assist in establishing the Division of Clinical Cancer Genetics. She served as assistant director of the Cancer Screening & Prevention Program Network (2001-2008), past president of the International Society of Nurses in Genetics, Inc. (ISONG; 1999), and was a founding member (1995) of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors Cancer Genetics (NSGC) Special Interest Groups. Since 2001 she has been a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) breast cancer risk reduction panel. A member of ISONG, ONS, and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, Dr. MacDonald is nationally recognized for her more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, presentations throughout the U.S. and in Brazil, England, and Japan, and committee work related to cancer genetics.

Professional Experience

2007 - present, Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Cancer Genetics, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA.

2001 - 2008, Assistant Director, Cancer Screening & Prevention Program Network, Division of Clinical Cancer Genetics, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

1997 - present, Genetics Associate/Cancer Risk Counselor, Division of Clinical Cancer Genetics, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

1994 - 1996, Nurse Genetic Specialist, Risk Assessment Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Boston, MA

1992 - 1996, Nurse Genetic Specialist, Center for Cancer Risk Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cancer Center, Molecular Genetics Division, Charlestown, MA

Education and Training

2006, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing, Ph.D., Bio-behavioral Research

1992, Boston College, School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, M.S., Clinical Nurse Specialist in Genetics

1976, Metropolitan State College, School of Nursing, Denver, CO, B.S.N.

This is an abbreviated document. Full CV available upon request. Information on this page may be self-reported and is subject to change at any time. Last updated: 4/09.

Honors and Awards

2010, American Psychosocial Oncology Society Conference Fellowship

2006, International Society of Nurses in Genetics Founder's Award in recognition of outstanding Service Contributions to Genetics Nursing

2003 - 2006, American Cancer Society Doctoral Scholarship in Cancer Nursing

2001, Credentialed, Advanced Practice Nurse in Genetics (APNG)

1991, University Affiliated Program Federal Nurse Traineeship Grant in Genetics/Development Disabilities, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Waltham, MA

Professional Memberships

2001, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Panel Member.

1993, Oncology Nursing Society (ONS); Founding member, Cancer Genetics Special Interest Group, 1997, SIG Coordinator 2000-2002, SIG Historian 2003-2006.

1993, National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC); Founding member, Cancer Genetics Special Interest Group.

1992, International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG); President 1999