Melanie Corbman,

American Board of Genetic Counseling
Genetic Counseling - Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine

After several years working with people at high risk for cancer, Melanie Corbman, a Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor and Manager, Clinical Genetics, at City of Hope realized that patients coping with a cancer diagnosis need to be empowered. She saw how taking control of diet, exercise, and other areas of life could accomplish this feat, a main reason why she chose to join City of Hope. “All of the things that I was searching for to help my patients could be found here,” says Corbman.

Corbman attended the University of Rochester, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Science. In 2005, she completed her master’s degree in genetic counseling at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. She was a cancer genetic counselor at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia from 2005 to 2010, and then transitioned to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In 2011, Corbman joined City of Hope as a cancer genetic counselor.

She has been a diplomat with the American Board of Genetic Counseling since 2007, and is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the National Society of Genetic Counselors Cancer Special Interest Group, and the Alpha Epsilon Lambda National Honor Society. She also is on the adjunct faculty and the advisory board for Arcadia University's Genetic Counseling Master’s Program.

Corbman also works with FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), a national support group for individuals with hereditary risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. She has presented research on genetic counseling, and her work is also published in academic journals.

At City of Hope, Corbman assesses patients' risk of hereditary cancer. She first reviews the patient's personal and family history of cancer. If genetic testing is recommended, she then facilitates the testing and works with patients to interpret test results, information that may be useful in making treatment and screening decisions.

Establishing long term relationships with patients has been a particularly rewarding part of her experience at City of Hope. “I enjoy following their progress and continuing to be helpful to them and their families,” says Corbman.

Outside of her work, Corbman also enjoys contra dancing, swimming, walking, and cooking. Most recently, she’s been practicing photography, an art that is also helping her explore the sites of Philadelphia.