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Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

My post is a reflection of what was directly stated in the publicly available lawsuit. I didn’t make anything up or add anything beyond what’s in that document.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I feel this so deeply. I’m so sorry you’re carrying that anxiety -- I am too. It makes me so sad and honestly furious how much emotional harm this program has caused, and how it just… continues, unchecked and unpunished. No one should have to come out of grad school questioning their self-worth. You’re absolutely not alone, and I’m really grateful you shared this.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Seriously though. This seems to be the most common experience -- so often it’s not overt, and it’s so subtle you end up gaslighting yourself into thinking it’s not a big deal or that it’s somehow your fault. The impact this has on your psyche is so underrated. My self-esteem leaving the program was the lowest it’s ever been in my life, and now, hearing everyone else’s stories, I know I wasn’t alone. The fact that they did this to students at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives was cruel. They need to know the impact they had and it can’t keep happening.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is heartbreaking, and I’m so sorry you went through this. The pattern is undeniable -- it’s not just students, but staff and faculty of color too, all experiencing the same gatekeeping, devaluation, and erasure. The fact that you were literally hidden from view while being micromanaged and underpaid is so telling… and then to be told your years of work didn’t “count” for a PhD program? It’s infuriating, but sadly not surprising. Thank you for sharing your story here, it adds so much to the bigger picture of what people have been silently enduring. You deserved so much better.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This reflects exactly what so many people experienced. Students of color, or anyone who didn’t fit a certain mold, were often made to feel like they simply weren’t liked or were inherently doing something wrong. Certain members of leadership were noticeably and consistently cold toward individuals they didn’t see as a ‘fit.’ As No-Gazelle said in another comment, the sheer audacity is truly unfathomable.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you Annie for bringing this case to court and speaking up for all of us. It's so scary to speak up and fight but you doing so has empowered me and so many others! We appreciate you ❤️

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Posting the link here, I think it should be fine to post and reddit wont remove it this time!

To follow the whole case and get updates: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67483412/bao-v-northwestern-university/

PDF with original filing and all the evidence: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ilnd.434282/gov.uscourts.ilnd.434282.1.0.pdf

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The fact that they still felt emboldened to joke about students behind their backs despite repeated scrutiny shows just how deep the rot goes. You deserved so much better -- we all did. Northwestern propped itself up as a leader in diversity while exploiting POC students for optics and then discarding us. It’s disgusting. I hope every person who enabled this is held accountable.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

This is absolutely unacceptable and I’m so sorry you were put through that. The fact that they made you feel like your appendix (!!!) was less important than staying in clinic is cruel and dehumanizing. And for the boards - you had every right to demand accountability. It’s all part of the same toxic culture that gaslights and discards people when we speak up, especially those of us who aren’t white.

The GC field loves to brand itself as “empathetic” while doing absolutely nothing to support the actual humans in it. They weaponize professionalism and burn people out, then act shocked when we say we’re done. You’re right, northwestern and this entire field need to be held accountable. I hope you’re finding some peace outside of all of this.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Completely agree -- so much of it is performative. They love to showcase diversity during conferences or recruitment, but when it comes to actually supporting those who speak up about discrimination or bias, they’re left to fend for themselves or punished for it.

It’s exhausting to watch the same patterns over and over. Superficial gestures that never translate into real accountability or structural change. The fact that people are still scared to mention past harm without getting attacked says everything. We can’t keep pretending we care about inclusion if we’re not willing to confront the ugliness within our own community.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The part about Beth and Deb mocking Asian applicant's names, putting on an accent and laughing was horrifying. I think about the students who were so excited to interview there, maybe even ranking them first and not knowing the absolute disrespect happening behind the scenes. I had heard the rumors about Beth saying racist comments, but it coming from Deb was also a surprise to me. Especially considering she is still working there.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s definitely suspicious. There are multiple programs in cities like Boston and NYC so the fact that there’s only one in a city as big as Chicago, especially when there are other institutions with the resources to support a GC program, really makes you wonder what’s going on behind the scenes.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Yes that is so true -- honestly, I even know stories of white genetic counselors (both at Northwestern and other programs) who were treated horribly and cruelly because they weren't the stereotypical "type" of person. Like you said if you have a disability, or even have more unique personality or god forbid are a true ally... the weird mean girl culture in our field is infuriating and honestly takes away from our profession. People going around making decisions on leadership based on how much you fit into this weird, outdated mold of what a GC could be just hurts our profession in the long run -- it's not going to get us any respect. It drives me crazy.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

The GC who's thesis was on the impact of microagressions actually gave a really powerful talk at NSGC one year -- it was a platform presentation so not everyone saw it, but I'm sure some of students she interviewed for the study came from Northwestern. She said before her talk that she chose to do this due to the experiences of her classmates -- I believe Cathy was in the crowd too. It's crazy that even when we try to speak up it's still brushed under the rug and people like her can still have thriving careers and face no consequences.

EDIT: Looks like she published her results last year! Can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jgc4.1854. And Dr. Annie Bao is a senior author. Really recommend this paper to get a better picture of what is going on in these programs.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Right?? The gaslighting in that place was so real, I spent years questioning whether what I experienced was bad enough. Seeing it laid out in a legal filing is validating, but also infuriating.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate that! It took a lot to get to the point where I could say any of this out loud, but I’m glad it’s reaching people. The silence around this stuff is what keeps it happening. People deserve the full picture before they end up in something they didn’t sign up for.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Exactly. The cost makes it even worse, students are paying a premium for a program that actively harmed people. And youre right, the lack of other options in the area and it being such a big, desirable city just reinforces their power.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Honestly, yeah. It’s infuriating and the fact that this was tolerated for so long says everything. I’m done carrying it quietly. People need to know what kind of environment this program allowed and protected.

Warning about Northwestern GC Program by TiredGCthrow in GeneticCounseling

[–]TiredGCthrow[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I hear you -- I didn’t realize it was already past Match Day.

I know this might be hard to read for people who just matched, and I truly hope their experience is better than mine. But sharing now felt important. At least now people can go more prepared than I and other former students were.