Our Team Genetic Counselors

TriHealth Cancer Institute
Elise Bendik, MS, LGC Elise Bendik joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute in 2018 as a Board Certified and Licensed Genetic Counselor. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2010 with a Master of Science in Medical Genetics. She also has a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with concentration in Biotechnology from the University of Illinois. Elise is licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board, the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, and the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure to practice as a Genetic Counselor. She is also Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Elise has spent the majority of her career specializing in oncology genetic counseling and has experience working in industry, research, and clinic settings. Her professional interests include reducing barriers to genetic testing and implementing alternative service delivery models, including telehealth and point of care testing.
Madison Groene, MS, LGC Madison Groene joined the TriHealth Precision Medicine team as a genetic counselor in 2023. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Ohio University in 2020 and, in 2023 graduated with her Master of Genetic Counseling degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Madison is member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. At TriHealth, Madison specializes in oncology genetic counseling and primarily sees patients at the Bethesda Butler and Thomas Center locations.
Jenna Harris, MS, Licensed Genetic Counselor (LGC) Jenna Harris joined the TriHealth Precision Medicine and Genetic Counseling program as a Genetic Counselor in 2022. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics from Ohio State University in 2017 and her Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Thomas Jefferson University in 2022. Jenna is licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board to practice as a Genetic Counselor. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Jenna specializes in oncology and adult genetic counseling. She primarily sees patients at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC Karen Huelsman joined TriHealth in 2012 as a Licensed and Board-Certified Genetic Counselor specializing in hereditary cancer predisposition testing, risk-based surveillance, cancer prevention, and genomic-informed personalized management. She has over 20 years of experience in oncology genomics. In 1994, she founded the first Hereditary Cancer Program and Huntington’s Disease Testing protocol in Southwest Ohio while at Children’s Hospital Medical Center Division of Human Genetics. During her time with TriHealth, she has been an active partner on multiple tumor site leadership groups and helped to build the Precision Oncology program. With the rising applications of biomarker-driven treatment and clinical trials, her role evolved into Precision Oncology Lead for TriHealth Precision Medicine Institute. In addition to consulting for germline and somatic test results with patients and their families, she works as part of a large and dynamic oncology team, as a catalyst and connector for clinical, research and program development. She oversees the Precision Oncology process, delivers grant funded quality improvement, leads TriHealth KOLs in Precision Oncology Workgroup, plans and presents Molecular Tumor Board, contributes to standards in oncology care sitting on leadership groups, delivers measurable outcomes, and leads process improvements. She is an accomplished speaker for professional and lay groups, having presented at many national conferences, and she has authored more than 20 original publications. Interests include layers of multi-omics, pharmacogenomics, liquid biopsy, circulating tumor DNA in multi-cancer early detection, the role of epigenetic modification thru DNA methylation and the possible applications of AI in cancer care. Her personal and professional mission is to provide executive level genomic guided care with health equity for all patients and their families.
Leah Lindak, MS, Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor Leah Lindak joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute in 2021 as a Board Certified and Licensed Genetic Counselor. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and Licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board. She graduated in 2020 from the Ohio State University Genetic Counseling Graduate Program with a Master of Science. Leah’s career started in pediatrics where she specialized in hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant. Her specialty has shifted to adult oncology since becoming a TriHealth team member. She is currently focused on providing clinical genetic counseling to patients and she hopes to extend into education and student supervision in the future. Her professional interests include increasing genetic counseling awareness to diverse populations and developing patient resources that ensure genetic information is easy to understand and readily available.
Shannon McIntyre, MS, LGC Shannon McIntyre joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute as a genetic counselor in 2021. She received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics from the Ohio State University and in 2021, Shannon graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine with a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling. Shannon is licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board, is board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and is certified in pharmacogenomics. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. At TriHealth, Shannon specializes in oncology, pharmacogenomics, and general adult genetic counseling. She primarily sees patients at the Good Samaritan Western Ridge and Thomas Center locations.
Chelsea Menke, MS, LGC Chelsea Menke joined the TriHealth Precision Medicine and Genetic Counseling Program in 2022. She graduated from Miami University in 2013 with Bachelor of Science in Zooloby and a minor in Anthropology. She attended the Genetic Counseling Program at the University of Cincinnati and graduated in 2019 with a Master degree in Medical Genetics. Chelsea is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Chelsea is licensed to practice as a genetic counselor by the Ohio State Medical Board, Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, and Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Chelsea has spent her career specializing in oncology genetic counseling. Her professional interests include improving access to genetic testing, providing education about genetic counseling/testing to providers and the general public, and implementing genomic medicine tools into care delivery.
Courtney Rice, MS, Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor Courtney Rice joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute as a clinical genetic counselor in 2011. She serves the TriHealth team as the supervisor of the genetic counseling department. Mrs. Rice is a 2008 graduate of the University of Cincinnati Genetic Counseling Program earning a Master degree in Medical Genetics. Mrs. Rice is Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board to practice as a genetic counselor. Mrs. Rice’s professional interests include hereditary cancer syndromes, pharmacogenomic testing, providing education about genetic medicine to medical providers and the general public, and developing and implementing genomic medicine tools into care delivery.
Karen Wernke, MMSc, CGC Karen Wernke joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute as a genetic counselor in 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics from the Ohio State University. In 2018, Karen graduated from Emory University School of Medicine with a Master of Medical Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling. Karen is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is also licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board to practice as a genetic counselor. Her professional interests include identification of hereditary breast cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, and hematologic cancers.
Alissa Wuorinen, MS, LCGC Alissa Wuorinen joined TriHealth as a genetic counselor in 2023. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Philosophy from Marquette University in 2021. Alissa graduated from the Indiana University Genetic Counseling Graduate Program in 2023 with a Master of Science in Medical and Molecular Genetics. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. At TriHealth, Alissa specializes in oncology genetic counseling. She primarily sees patients at the Good Samaritan Western Ridge and Thomas Center locations.

TriHealth Cancer Institute

Elise Bendik, MS, LGC

Elise Bendik joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute in 2018 as a Board Certified and Licensed Genetic Counselor. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2010 with a Master of Science in Medical Genetics. She also has a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with concentration in Biotechnology from the University of Illinois. Elise is licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board, the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, and the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure to practice as a Genetic Counselor. She is also Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Elise has spent the majority of her career specializing in oncology genetic counseling and has experience working in industry, research, and clinic settings. Her professional interests include reducing barriers to genetic testing and implementing alternative service delivery models, including telehealth and point of care testing.

Madison Groene, MS, LGC

Madison Groene joined the TriHealth Precision Medicine team as a genetic counselor in 2023. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Ohio University in 2020 and, in 2023 graduated with her Master of Genetic Counseling degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Madison is member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

At TriHealth, Madison specializes in oncology genetic counseling and primarily sees patients at the Bethesda Butler and Thomas Center locations.

Jenna Harris, MS, Licensed Genetic Counselor (LGC)

Jenna Harris joined the TriHealth Precision Medicine and Genetic Counseling program as a Genetic Counselor in 2022. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics from Ohio State University in 2017 and her Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Thomas Jefferson University in 2022.

Jenna is licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board to practice as a Genetic Counselor. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Jenna specializes in oncology and adult genetic counseling. She primarily sees patients at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC

Karen Huelsman joined TriHealth in 2012 as a Licensed and Board-Certified Genetic Counselor specializing in hereditary cancer predisposition testing, risk-based surveillance, cancer prevention, and genomic-informed personalized management. She has over 20 years of experience in oncology genomics. In 1994, she founded the first Hereditary Cancer Program and Huntington’s Disease Testing protocol in Southwest Ohio while at Children’s Hospital Medical Center Division of Human Genetics. During her time with TriHealth, she has been an active partner on multiple tumor site leadership groups and helped to build the Precision Oncology program. With the rising applications of biomarker-driven treatment and clinical trials, her role evolved into Precision Oncology Lead for TriHealth Precision Medicine Institute.

In addition to consulting for germline and somatic test results with patients and their families, she works as part of a large and dynamic oncology team, as a catalyst and connector for clinical, research and program development. She oversees the Precision Oncology process, delivers grant funded quality improvement, leads TriHealth KOLs in Precision Oncology Workgroup, plans and presents Molecular Tumor Board, contributes to standards in oncology care sitting on leadership groups, delivers measurable outcomes, and leads process improvements. She is an accomplished speaker for professional and lay groups, having presented at many national conferences, and she has authored more than 20 original publications. Interests include layers of multi-omics, pharmacogenomics, liquid biopsy, circulating tumor DNA in multi-cancer early detection, the role of epigenetic modification thru DNA methylation and the possible applications of AI in cancer care. Her personal and professional mission is to provide executive level genomic guided care with health equity for all patients and their families.

Leah Lindak, MS, Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor

Leah Lindak joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute in 2021 as a Board Certified and Licensed Genetic Counselor. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and Licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board. She graduated in 2020 from the Ohio State University Genetic Counseling Graduate Program with a Master of Science.

Leah’s career started in pediatrics where she specialized in hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant. Her specialty has shifted to adult oncology since becoming a TriHealth team member. She is currently focused on providing clinical genetic counseling to patients and she hopes to extend into education and student supervision in the future. Her professional interests include increasing genetic counseling awareness to diverse populations and developing patient resources that ensure genetic information is easy to understand and readily available.

Shannon McIntyre, MS, LGC

Shannon McIntyre joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute as a genetic counselor in 2021. She received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics from the Ohio State University and in 2021, Shannon graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine with a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling. Shannon is licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board, is board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and is certified in pharmacogenomics. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

At TriHealth, Shannon specializes in oncology, pharmacogenomics, and general adult genetic counseling. She primarily sees patients at the Good Samaritan Western Ridge and Thomas Center locations.

Chelsea Menke, MS, LGC

Chelsea Menke joined the TriHealth Precision Medicine and Genetic Counseling Program in 2022. She graduated from Miami University in 2013 with Bachelor of Science in Zooloby and a minor in Anthropology. She attended the Genetic Counseling Program at the University of Cincinnati and graduated in 2019 with a Master degree in Medical Genetics. Chelsea is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Chelsea is licensed to practice as a genetic counselor by the Ohio State Medical Board, Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, and Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Chelsea has spent her career specializing in oncology genetic counseling. Her professional interests include improving access to genetic testing, providing education about genetic counseling/testing to providers and the general public, and implementing genomic medicine tools into care delivery.

Courtney Rice, MS, Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor

Courtney Rice joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute as a clinical genetic counselor in 2011. She serves the TriHealth team as the supervisor of the genetic counseling department. Mrs. Rice is a 2008 graduate of the University of Cincinnati Genetic Counseling Program earning a Master degree in Medical Genetics.

Mrs. Rice is Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board to practice as a genetic counselor.

Mrs. Rice’s professional interests include hereditary cancer syndromes, pharmacogenomic testing, providing education about genetic medicine to medical providers and the general public, and developing and implementing genomic medicine tools into care delivery.

Karen Wernke, MMSc, CGC

Karen Wernke joined the TriHealth Cancer Institute as a genetic counselor in 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics from the Ohio State University. In 2018, Karen graduated from Emory University School of Medicine with a Master of Medical Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling.

Karen is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is also licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board to practice as a genetic counselor.

Her professional interests include identification of hereditary breast cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, and hematologic cancers.

Alissa Wuorinen, MS, LCGC

Alissa Wuorinen joined TriHealth as a genetic counselor in 2023. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Philosophy from Marquette University in 2021. Alissa graduated from the Indiana University Genetic Counseling Graduate Program in 2023 with a Master of Science in Medical and Molecular Genetics. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

At TriHealth, Alissa specializes in oncology genetic counseling. She primarily sees patients at the Good Samaritan Western Ridge and Thomas Center locations.