Back to team

Jess Hess

,

MSc, GC, CPC

Associate Director of Patient Advocacy & Engagement

Jess Hess, MSc, GC, CPC, is Associate Director of Patient Advocacy & Engagement at GeneDx. With expertise in genetic counseling and patient advocacy, Jess works to help patients and families navigate the genetic testing journey and access the information, resources, and support they need to make informed healthcare decisions.

Insights from

Jess Hess

Rare Disease Diagnostics
Exome
Epilepsy
Olivia’s story: Finding the ‘right genetic answers’ through exome sequencing

After years of searching for answers, GeneDx trio exome sequencing gave Olivia’s family and doctors the missing pieces they needed. By testing Olivia alongside both of her parents, the results uncovered key genetic findings that helped her doctors connect the dots, provide diagnoses, and map out a personalized care plan. The test also brought an unexpected breakthrough for Olivia’s mom, Hilary - revealing an inherited genetic change that finally explained some of her own lifelong health struggles and helped her get the right care, too.

Rapid Genome Sequencing
NICU
Newborn
Rare Disease Diagnostics
Cayden’s story: How rapid genome sequencing in the NICU helped his family act early

When unexpected findings during pregnancy led to a NICU stay, rapid genome sequencing gave Cayden’s family an answer within days. His diagnosis helped them begin specialist care, early intervention, and care planning without a prolonged diagnostic journey.

Genome
Genomics
FRRS1L
Everly’s story: How genome sequencing led to an FRRS1L diagnosis

Genome sequencing gave Everly’s family an answer after earlier testing did not. Her FRRS1L disease diagnosis brought clarity—and sparked a mission to help future children receive answers earlier and advance a potential treatment for this ultra-rare condition.

Developmental Delay
Epilepsy
Exome
Rare Disease Diagnostics
Mora’s story: How an early SYNGAP1 diagnosis changed her care

When Mora began missing developmental milestones, her parents trusted their instincts and continued searching for answers. Exome sequencing identified SYNGAP1-related disorder, helping her family and care team proactively monitor for seizures and access earlier interventions and specialized care.

Rare Disease Diagnostics
Epilepsy
Exome
Maxwell's story: How genetic testing turned uncertainty into a roadmap for action

After years of searching for answers, genetic testing identified Maxwell's SLC6A1-related disorder, transforming uncertainty into a roadmap for care, advocacy, and groundbreaking research that helped pave the way for the first treatment for his condition.

Cerebral Palsy
Diagnostic Odyssey
Genetic Testing
Rare Disease Diagnostics
Exome
Abbie's story: How broader genetic testing changed her cerebral palsy diagnosis

After years of living with a cerebral palsy diagnosis, broader genetic testing finally gave Abbie and her family an answer. Learn how exome sequencing uncovered hereditary spastic paraplegia type 26 (SPG26), giving Abbie's family long-awaited answers and reshaping her diagnosis, care, and future.

Newborn
Margot’s story: A CDKL5 diagnosis through genome-based newborn screening

Two brave parents said yes to genome-based newborn screening—and found answers quickly when their newborn began having seizures.