From Reading DNA to Rewriting Life: How Genetics Is Transforming Medicine

For most of modern history, medicine has focused on managing disease.
In recent years, that has begun to change.

Advances in genetics and genomics are helping move healthcare toward something far more powerful: the ability to understand, predict, and in some cases directly address the biological causes of disease at their source.

To understand why this moment matters, it helps to start with the basics.

The Shift from Understanding to Intervention

Every cell in your body contains DNA, the molecule that carries the instructions for how your body grows, develops, and functions. Segments of DNA, known as genes, influence everything from visible traits like eye color to how your body processes medications.

Small changes in genes can increase the risk of disease or directly cause it. For decades, scientific progress focused on identifying these changes and helping patients manage or reduce their risk. In recent years, that focus has begun to shift from identifying genetic risks to exploring ways to address them at their source.

One of the most important breakthroughs driving this change is CRISPR, a gene-editing tool that allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA. Often described as a biological 鈥渇ind and replace鈥� system, CRISPR can locate a specific sequence in the genetic code, cut the DNA at that exact point, and enable scientists to remove, repair, or replace genetic material.

Originally discovered as part of a bacterial defense system, CRISPR has rapidly evolved into one of the most powerful tools in modern biology.

鈥淔or the first time, we鈥檙e not just studying the genetic basis of disease鈥攚e鈥檙e beginning to intervene at that level,鈥� says Dr. Dan Handley, Program Director of SCU鈥檚 Master鈥檚 in Genetics & Genomics program. 鈥淭hat fundamentally changes what鈥檚 possible in medicine.鈥�

From Lab Innovation to Real-World Medicine

Gene editing is no longer theoretical. It is beginning to be used in patients. Advances in precision and safety have enabled treatments for conditions like sickle cell disease by modifying a patient鈥檚 own cells so they function properly.

This marks a turning point as genetic technologies transition from research tools into clinical therapies.

At the same time, medicine is becoming more individualized. As our ability to read and interpret DNA improves, researchers can design treatments tailored to a patient鈥檚 specific genetic profile, especially for rare diseases that lack standard therapies.

These highly personalized approaches signal a future where care is built around the biology of the individual rather than the average patient.

鈥淎s these technologies become more advanced, the human side of care becomes even more important,鈥� says Stephanie Gandomi, Program Director of SCU鈥檚 Master鈥檚 in Genetic Counseling program. 鈥淧atients aren鈥檛 just receiving information. They are making complex, deeply personal decisions based on that information.鈥�

This shift also opens the door to rethinking how chronic disease is treated. Many conditions still require lifelong medication that manages symptoms rather than addressing underlying causes. Gene-based approaches suggest a different model, in which one-time or infrequent interventions could permanently alter how the body regulates certain processes. Early work in areas such as cholesterol regulation offers a glimpse of what the future may look like.

Expanding the Genetic Toolkit

Not all breakthroughs involve changing DNA. Some focus on reading it more effectively.

New sequencing technologies can analyze longer and more complex stretches of DNA than ever before, helping diagnose conditions that previously went unexplained for years. For patients, that means faster answers and more targeted care.

Many common health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders, are influenced by networks of genes interacting with each other and the environment. New tools now allow scientists to study and even modify multiple genes at once, offering a more complete understanding of how these diseases develop.

Another promising area is epigenetics, which focuses on how genes are turned on or off. Instead of altering the DNA sequence itself, scientists can influence gene activity. This is similar to adjusting a dimmer switch rather than rewiring a circuit. This approach may offer a more flexible and potentially reversible way to treat certain conditions.

Beyond Medicine鈥攁nd Accelerating Forward

The impact of genomics extends beyond medicine.

Gene-editing tools are being used in agriculture to develop crops with improved nutritional profiles, greater resilience, and reduced harmful compounds while maintaining productivity. These applications highlight how genetics is becoming part of everyday life, not just specialized research.

At the same time, artificial intelligence is helping researchers interpret vast amounts of genetic data. AI systems can predict how genetic changes may affect the body and help design safer, more effective therapies, accelerating discoveries that once took years.

Taken together, these advances point to a broader transformation. Healthcare is shifting from managing disease to addressing root causes, from standardized care to individualized treatment, and from reactive medicine to proactive intervention.

This future is already beginning to take shape.

Preparing for What Comes Next

As genetics becomes more integrated into healthcare, the need for skilled professionals continues to grow.

Genetic counselors play a critical role in helping patients understand complex information and make informed decisions. At the same time, genomics professionals help translate scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications in both research and clinical settings.

鈥淕enetic information can be incredibly powerful, but it can also be overwhelming,鈥� says Gandomi. 鈥淕enetic counselors help patients understand not just the science, but what it means for their lives and their choices.鈥�

Programs like SCU鈥檚 Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) are designed to prepare future professionals for this evolving field, combining scientific training with a strong emphasis on patient communication and ethical decision-making.

The rapid pace of innovation is also creating demand for professionals who can responsibly work with emerging technologies.

鈥淭he pace of discovery is accelerating, but progress depends on people who know how to apply these tools responsibly,鈥� says Dr. Handley. 鈥淭raining the next generation is just as important as the technology itself.鈥�

We are entering a moment in which DNA is no longer just something we read. It is something we can thoughtfully and precisely influence.

That shift has profound implications. It changes how we think about disease, how we design treatments, and how we prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The future of genetics will be shaped not only by technology but also by how it is applied in medicine, society, and the lives of individual patients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Genetics and Modern Medicine

What is the difference between genetics and genomics?

Genetics focuses on individual genes and how they influence specific traits or conditions. Genomics looks at all of a person鈥檚 genes together and how they interact with each other and the environment to impact overall health.

How is genetics transforming modern healthcare?

Advances in genetics are helping shift healthcare from a one-size-fits-all approach to more personalized care. By understanding a patient鈥檚 genetic profile, providers can better predict disease risk, tailor treatments, and, in some cases, address underlying causes rather than just managing symptoms.

What is precision medicine?

Precision medicine is an approach to healthcare that uses genetic, environmental, and lifestyle information to customize treatment for each patient, allowing care to be tailored to the individual rather than the average patient.

What does a genetic counselor do?

Genetic counselors help patients understand genetic testing results, assess health risks, and make informed decisions about their care. They also provide guidance and support as patients navigate complex medical and personal choices.

Are genetic treatments available today?

Some genetic-based treatments are already being used in clinical settings, particularly for rare diseases. While many therapies are still in development, the field is rapidly advancing and expanding into more areas of healthcare.

SCU President Dr. John Scaringe Delivers Commencement Message on Compassion to the Class of 2025

At 91性息港 of Health Sciences鈥� 2025 Commencement Ceremony, University President Dr. John Scaringe delivered a heartfelt and deeply personal address centered on one essential principle: compassion.

Speaking to graduates poised to enter the healthcare professions, Dr. Scaringe reminded the Class of 2025 that while clinical knowledge and technical expertise are critical, it is compassion 鈥� expressed through presence, dignity, and action 鈥� that ultimately defines meaningful leadership and healing.

Through personal stories drawn from his own life, Dr. Scaringe illustrated that compassion is not simply an abstract value or 鈥渟oft skill,鈥� but a courageous, active choice to show up for others during their most vulnerable moments. His message resonated strongly with SCU鈥檚 mission to educate healthcare leaders who care for the whole person 鈥� body, mind, and spirit.

Dr. Scaringe鈥檚 Commencement Speech

Today is truly a remarkable day for you, your families, your faculty, and let’s be honest, it’s also a remarkable day for anyone who no longer has to hear, 鈥淚 can’t, I have to study.鈥� You and your loved ones have waited a long time for this moment. Commencement ceremonies often invite big themes such as success, purpose, and, in our case, the future of healthcare.

But before we discuss any of that, I want to begin somewhere a little simpler, somewhere human. Somewhere, far from the clinics, the classroom, or accreditation reports. I want to start in a high school locker room. When I was a senior in high school, at the end of a senior tournament, I wrestled my final match, and I lost.

Now, if you’ve ever been 17, you are absolutely certain that the entire universe is paying attention to your every move. You know exactly what that felt like. So, I walked into the locker room, and I sat by myself. I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t hurt. I was simply disappointed. The kind that feels enormous right at that age, because most disappointments do.

A few minutes later. My father walked in. He didn’t tell me to shake it off. He didn’t give me a pep talk. He didn’t offer a replay of the footage of what I should have done, what I didn’t do, and what I could have done. He didn’t even give me that classic dad line of, 鈥淪omeday you’ll laugh at this,鈥� because he knew I wasn’t going to be laughing anytime soon.

He sat down next to me. Quiet, present, and even though the disappointment didn’t go away, something else happened. I didn’t feel alone anymore. Years later, I realized what he offered that day. It wasn’t advice, it wasn’t encouragement. It wasn’t even problem-solving. It was compassion. The quiet kind that doesn’t just fix the moment.

He doesn’t try to fix that moment, but he chooses to be in that moment with you, and that simple act has stayed with me throughout my life. Compassion is often confused with empathy. They’re related, but they’re not exactly the same.

For example, empathy is seeing someone on the side of the road on a rainy day fixing their flat tire, and you say to yourself. Oh, that poor son of a gun, that must be awful. Compassion is stopping, getting out, and helping them fix that flat tire. Compassion is movement. In other words, empathy feels, compassion moves.

Empathy understands the moment, and compassion enters it. And in healthcare, that is all the difference. Your patients won’t just need your knowledge. They won’t just need your technical expertise. They will need your presence, your willingness to step in the moment with them. That shift from feeling to doing is where healing begins in your career.

You will meet people on some of their hardest days鈥攑eople who feel vulnerable, afraid, confused, and overwhelmed. Two patients may walk in with the same diagnosis but carry entirely different stories. Compassion is what helps you treat the story as much as the symptoms. It shows up in small and often unnoticed ways when you take a moment longer to listen.

When you ask a question that nobody else has thought to ask, and when you acknowledge a fear, rather than rush past it. When you offer dignity in a time when someone feels exposed, not because the moment was any less painful, but when your presence says simply, you matter. Compassion doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence.

Presence is often the most healing thing you can offer. Whether or not you see yourself as a leader today, compassion will make you a leader. Leadership isn’t about authority. Leadership is the courage to act, to care, to advocate for someone who has no voice, to slow down when the world tells you to speed up, and to speak out when something isn’t right.

There will be days when you’re tired and rushed and stretched so thin that the easiest path is not the compassionate one. Those are the moments that define a career, not the easy decisions, the meaningful ones. Compassion is not a soft skill. It is a courage in everyday form.

A few months ago, I delivered my mother’s eulogy. It was one of the hardest moments in my life, but when I finished speaking, I did feel something unexpected: comfort, not because it was any less painful, because believe me, it wasn’t. But, because compassion had surrounded her during her final years from my brothers who were with her nearby in New York, from her caretakers, and from other loved ones. All from people who treated her with dignity.

Dignity when she needed it the most. In that moment, I understood clearly that compassion doesn’t erase pain, it doesn’t fix everything, but it does connect us when we need it the very most, and that connection can be transformational. So, as you step off the stage today into your professional lives, here is my hope for you.

Let your empathy become passion. Let your compassion become action. Let your presence be part of the healing you provide. Show up for people, not perfectly, but fully. Listen with patience, advocate with courage. Lead with your heart. Compassion isn’t something you add to healthcare. Compassion is healthcare, and when you lead with it, you will not only transform the lives of others. You will transform on your own as well.

I often think back to that moment in the locker room with my dad. He didn’t take away my disappointment. He didn’t change the outcome. He showed up. That’s compassion. Not fixing everything, not having the perfect words, just choosing to be there.

As you enter your profession, you will have countless opportunities to show up in moments, big and small, seen and unseen. Do it with courage, do it with humanity. Do it with passion.

Congratulations, graduates. Good luck and Godspeed.

Watch the full 2025 Commencement Ceremony, including President Scaringe鈥檚 address:

91性息港 of Health Sciences graduates 517 new healthcare professionals in 2025

91性息港 of Health Sciences聽(SCU) hosted its annual commencement ceremony on Monday, December 15, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach conferring health science degrees to 517 graduates of the Class of 2025.

The commencement ceremony is available for on-demand viewing

The Class of 2025 represents the broad variety of SCU鈥檚 academic programs, with the Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Medical Sciences programs each having their first graduating class. SCU鈥檚 class of 2025 has the following numbers of graduates in each respective program:

• 153 Doctor of Chiropractic graduates
  鈥� 124 Master of Science in Medical Science graduates
  鈥� 48 Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics graduates
  鈥� 47 Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program graduates
  鈥� 36 Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences graduates
  鈥� 23 Graduate Certificate in Pre-Genetic Counseling graduates
  鈥� 22 Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduates
  鈥� 21 Ayurveda Health Counselor Certificate graduates
  鈥� 16 Ayurveda Practitioner Certificate graduates
  鈥� 14 Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine graduates
  鈥� 10 Doctor of Medical Sciences graduates
  鈥� 2 Graduate Certificate in Human Genetics and Genomics graduates
  鈥� 1 Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine graduate

Dr. John Scaringe, President of 91性息港 of Health Sciences, delivered an inspiring and heartfelt address at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, challenging the graduates to lead with compassion as they step into their professional careers.

Drawing from personal experiences, Dr. Scaringe emphasized that compassion goes beyond simply understanding another person鈥檚 struggle, reminding graduates that 鈥渆mpathy feels, but compassion moves.鈥� He encouraged students to view compassion as an active choice. One that requires presence, courage, and a willingness to show up for others during moments of vulnerability.

Throughout his remarks, Dr. Scaringe highlighted the critical role compassion plays in healthcare, noting that while knowledge and technical expertise are essential, they are not enough on their own.

鈥淐ompassion doesn鈥檛 require perfection. It requires presence,鈥� he said, underscoring the importance of truly being there for patients and treating not just symptoms, but the person behind the diagnosis. He also reframed compassion as a form of leadership, describing it as 鈥渃ourage in everyday form,鈥� especially during moments when taking the compassionate path may be the most challenging.

As he concluded, Dr. Scaringe left graduates with a powerful reminder that compassion is not an optional trait in healthcare, but a foundational one. 鈥淐ompassion isn鈥檛 something you add to healthcare 鈥� compassion is healthcare,鈥� he said, encouraging graduates to carry that mindset forward as they begin their careers and work to transform the lives of others through whole-person, human-centered care.

The ceremony also featured a reflective and inspiring commencement address from Dr. Russell Greenfield, a nationally recognized physician leader in Whole Health who has spent his career advancing human-centered models of care across healthcare systems nationwide. Dr. Greenfield has served in senior leadership roles with the Veterans Health Administration, the Whole Health Institute, and Novant Health鈥檚 Weisiger Cancer Institute, and continues to work directly with patients while helping communities build whole-person approaches to care.

In his remarks, Dr. Greenfield framed the healing professions as a sacred calling rooted in service, humility, and presence. He reminded graduates that true healing begins not with fixing problems, but with honoring lives, stating, 鈥淵ou see people not as problems to be fixed, but as lives to be honored.鈥� Drawing from personal experience and long-standing traditions within the healing arts, he encouraged graduates to approach their work with gratitude and compassion, even in the smallest moments of care.

As he concluded, Dr. Greenfield offered the Class of 2025 a message of reassurance and purpose, emphasizing that meaningful impact does not require grand gestures. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not your responsibility to heal the world鈥� and yet, odds are very good that you will,鈥� he said.

His words reinforced SCU鈥檚 commitment to Whole Health and left graduates with a powerful reminder that through humility, service, and presence, they are uniquely prepared to help shape the future of healthcare.

Graduating Master of Science: Physician Assistant program student Jamie Gabriel was named the SCU Class of 2025 valedictorian. She delivered a powerful and personal address that reflected perseverance, balance, and service in healthcare.

A full-time captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and a nontraditional student, Gabriel shared how returning to school later in life was driven by a commitment to lifelong learning and setting an example for her family.

In her remarks, Gabriel emphasized the importance of whole-person care and the responsibility healthcare professionals have to see beyond diagnoses and data points. 鈥淥ur patients don鈥檛 come to us as symptoms or lab values. They come as people with stories, fears, hopes, and dreams,鈥� she said, underscoring the integrative approach that defines SCU鈥檚 educational philosophy. She also highlighted the need for balance鈥攏ot only in patient care but also in clinicians鈥� own lives鈥攔eminding graduates that personal well-being is essential to providing meaningful, compassionate care.

Gabriel closed by challenging the Class of 2025 to lead with accountability and service. 鈥淟eadership in healthcare is not about authority. It is about the responsibility of service to others,鈥� she said, encouraging graduates to step confidently into the roles they are prepared to fill and help shape the future of healthcare through humility, balance, and purpose.

SCU鈥檚 聽2025 Alumni of the Year Whole Health Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Valerie Johnson. Dr. Johnson embodies the spirit of this award through her pioneering leadership in integrative, whole-person healthcare. As one of the first chiropractors employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, she has been instrumental in shaping the role of chiropractic in federal healthcare and advancing the VA Whole Health model.

Dr. Johnson鈥檚 commitment to inclusivity and diversity shines through the welcoming, collaborative environments she fosters for patients, colleagues, and learners. Through her compassion, advocacy, and clinical excellence, Dr. Johnson has redefined what integrative chiropractic can achieve.

The President鈥檚 Leadership Award was presented to Doctor of Chiropractic graduate George Zakhary for his leadership in contributing to the campus community, advocating for their chosen profession, and providing community service.

Photos and videos from the commencement ceremony can be viewed on SCU鈥檚 social media channels: , , and .

SCU鈥檚 Summer IPE Week Brings Together Over 200 Students from Eight Different Academic Programs

A record-breaking week of immersive, team-based learning prepares future healthcare professionals to lead in integrative, whole-person care.

From July 28, 2025, to August 1, 2025, the SCU Center for Interprofessional Education hosted Summer IPE Week on campus. The week brought together more than 200 students for hands-on learning that strengthened teamwork, communication, and whole-person care across health disciplines.

Students from eight programs worked side by side:

• Ayurveda
• Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
• Chiropractic
• Occupational Therapy
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Accelerated Sciences
• Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
• Master of Science in Medical Science

Faculty designed activities that mirrored real clinical settings, so students could practice skills they will use with patients and teams.

鈥淚PE at SCU is where integrative, whole health comes to life,鈥� said Karina Madrigal, EdD, MA, Dean of Interprofessional Education. 鈥淥ur model is bold, inclusive, and transformative鈥攂ringing together students from both complementary and conventional medicine.鈥� She noted that interprofessional education is an institutionalized system embedded across more than 15 academic programs. Students learn with, from, and about one another, and they graduate ready to practice in team-based care settings. SCU鈥檚 model blends Eastern and Western care traditions to match how modern health systems operate and to prepare graduates to lead in integrative care.

Students rotated through team scenarios that required clear roles, shared decision-making, and direct communication with patients and caregivers. Sessions focused on three high-impact skills:

• Identifying system failures and contributing to a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement
• Handing off patients in a structured way to support safe care transitions
• Speaking with patients, families, and the care team in plain language to align on goals

These scenarios matched the pace and pressure of real practice, so teams could learn, adjust, and improve in the moment. Among the highlights was SCU鈥檚 signature care coordination simulation, which brought multiple disciplines together to co-manage complex cases in real time.

Pre- and post-assessments showed gains across IPEC core competencies: Values and Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication, and Teams/Teamwork. The results also aligned with SCU鈥檚 鈥淟earning in Action鈥� measure, which tracks applied skills. 鈥淭he data confirm that our model not only changes what students know鈥攊t changes how they think and work,鈥� said Madrigal.

Skills from IPE Week translate directly to clinics and community sites. Students practiced structured handovers that reduce errors. They clarified the scope and responsibility so teams can respond faster. They used shared care plans that keep the patient and family at the center. As a result, students left not only with greater confidence, but with a strengthened ability to work across disciplines 鈥� ready to lead and collaborate as part of interprofessional teams united by a shared goal: advancing integrative, whole-person health and improving outcomes for the patients and communities they serve.

Collaboration starts early at SCU. Students experience interprofessional learning from their first year, so teamwork becomes second nature. By the time they enter clinical placements, they already know how to listen across disciplines and keep care plans aligned with patient goals.

This year鈥檚 Summer IPE Week set a new bar for participation and impact. It showed how SCU鈥檚 interprofessional model helps students grow as clinicians and as teammates. It also showed how a campus community can come together around a shared aim: to deliver whole-person care for every patient in every setting.

Learn more about Interprofessional Education at SCU and how our programs prepare students for team-based practice.

SCU Welcomes Inaugural Genetic Counseling Cohort

91性息港 of Health Sciences (SCU) is proud to welcome the inaugural class of the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program, an extraordinary group of future healthcare leaders who will shape the next chapter of integrative, person-centered care.

On September 2, 2025, these students made history as the first-ever cohort in SCU鈥檚 MSGC program, a highly anticipated launch aligned with the university鈥檚 mission to transform healthcare education through a Whole Health lens.

A New Generation of Leaders

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants nationwide, this first class embodies the traits that define exceptional genetic counselors: academic excellence, compassionate communication, and an unwavering commitment to improving lives.

鈥淥ur inaugural MSGC genetic counseling cohort is nothing short of extraordinary,鈥� said , Program Director of the MSGC program. 鈥淓ach student brings a unique blend of talent, heart, and drive to the program, and we are honored to walk alongside them on this journey.鈥�

Gandomi adds that SCU鈥檚 MSGC program is built on more than just curriculum and clinical training鈥攊t鈥檚 about building a community of support and investing in students’ holistic development from the moment they begin.

鈥淭he MSGC Leadership Team is deeply committed to supporting their whole-person development鈥攆rom clinical excellence and board exam readiness to wellness, professional growth, and career success. We don鈥檛 just educate students鈥攚e invest in them as individuals, because we believe that鈥檚 what true leadership in genetic counseling looks like.鈥�

Designed With the Student in Mind

From the start, the student experience in the MSGC program reflects SCU鈥檚 commitment to meaningful connection, individual support, and thoughtful preparation. Students received personalized welcome packages, curated resources, and the opportunity to connect with faculty and peers before starting classes online.

鈥淎t MSGC, our Leadership Team is wholeheartedly invested in each student鈥檚 journey,鈥� said Gandomi. 鈥淲e prioritize their overall wellness, clinical acumen, professional development, board exam preparedness, and career readiness, including job searching and networking support.鈥�

This deeply personal approach sets SCU apart. Each student is viewed not just as a learner, but as a future leader in healthcare鈥攁nd they are supported accordingly.

Meet the Trailblazing Class

Why It Matters

The field of genetic counseling is evolving rapidly, playing an essential role in personalized medicine, preventative care, and equitable access to genetic information. SCU鈥檚 MSGC program prepares students to thrive in this dynamic landscape with rigorous training in clinical care, psychosocial support, and culturally responsive practice.

The MSGC program is embedded in a university rooted in Whole Health. SCU provides a unique advantage for students who want to integrate compassion, science, and community impact.

A Whole Health Approach to Graduate Education

With mentorship from experienced faculty, support from a dedicated leadership team, and access to cutting-edge clinical training, students in the MSGC program are positioned not only to succeed鈥攂ut to lead.

Their presence marks a new era at SCU, one that reflects the university鈥檚 continued commitment to innovation in healthcare education.

Interested in Becoming a Genetic Counselor?

SCU鈥檚 Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program offers a personalized, forward-thinking path for students ready to make a difference in patients鈥� lives. Whether your background is in science, healthcare, or advocacy, the MSGC program equips you with the tools to thrive鈥攁cademically, professionally, and personally.

Learn more and apply to start your journey as a Genetic Counselor.