Our Genetic Counselors
Kimberly Ivory, MS, LCGC
My Background
I was born in Los Angeles and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. For as long as I can remember, I wanted a career which would allow me to help others. I believed that this would be accomplished as a pediatrician. However, during my junior year at UC Berkeley as a pre-med student with a major in psychology, I debated whether to pursue a career in medicine or psychology. At that time, I was introduced to the field of genetic counseling by a graduate student who was in the genetic counseling master’s program at Berkeley. Her enthusiasm for the field was contagious and I believed that genetic counseling would be a wonderful way for me to combine my interests in medicine and counseling.
Education & Experience
After attaining a Masters of Science in genetic counseling from Howard University in Washington. D.C., I began my career at Virginia Commonwealth University as a prenatal genetic counselor. In 2003, I returned to California and joined Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center as the primary genetic counselor where I provided prenatal, pediatric, adult and cancer genetic services. A few years later, I worked in various settings with a private perinatal practice and for seven years at Loma Linda University where I provided genetic counseling and coordinated care for women who had pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities and genetic disorders. Desiring to pursue my interests in cancer genetics, I returned to Kaiser Permanente in October 2015.
About My Practice
I currently counsel patients seeking evaluations for prenatal, preconception and hereditary cancer susceptibility. I enjoy meeting and engaging with a variety of wonderful patients and enjoy working in different genetic subspecialties. Since returning to Kaiser Permanente I feel that I have come full circle. I believe that all of my experiences have equipped me to provide quality patient care. My goal is to provide each patient with the type of care that I would want in return.
Genetics is an evolving field and I am afforded many opportunities for continual learning. My colleagues and I strive to provide our patients with the most current and cutting edge information and services. It is a pleasure to work at Kaiser Permanente with such a committed team of genetic professionals who continually strive to provide compassionate and comprehensive care and with whom I find support and friendship.
How I Thrive
I enjoy the arts – dance, museums, musical venues and theater. I thrive by spending quality time with family and friends, reading good books and taking weekend getaways.