Jennie Vagher
Rating: 5.0 of 5
( out of 35 reviews )

Jennie Vagher, CGC

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Clinic 2B, Genetics/Family Cancer Assessment
1950 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City , UT 84112
801-587-9555
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  • Jennie Vagher, CGC, is a board-certified genetic counselor who graduated from the University of Utah's Genetics Program in Genetic Counseling. Since joining the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic at Huntsman Cancer Institute in 2017, she has established herself as an expert in rare cancer predisposition syndromes. She currently co-directs the INTERCePT (Inherited Tumor Evaluation Rare Cancer Predisposition Team) Clinic and oversees care for rare tumor syndromes at HCI, with a particular expertise in Li-Fraumeni and DICER1 syndromes.

    Jennie led the development of both the pediatric and adult Bone Marrow Failure programs for patients with inherited Bone Marrow Failure syndromes and other predispositions to hematologic malignancies. She has a specific interest in telomere biology disorders and collaborates with the Division of Pulmonology at the University of Utah to provide genetic evaluation to patients with interstitial lung diseases. She is an active member of the Telomere Biology Disorder Center at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute.

    Jennie provides comprehensive genetic counseling services to patients across Utah, including those seen at Primary Children's Hospital and LDS Hospital. Her research and clinical work have been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, furthering the understanding and management of rare cancer predisposition syndromes. As Senior Manager of Genetic Counseling Research, she also contributes to advancing knowledge in the field through research initiatives.

    She works closely with Dr. Luke Maese, Dr. Casey Mehrhoff, and Dr. Joshua Schiffman in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, as well as with Dr. Mary Beth Scholand in the Division of Pulmonology, and with Dr. Srinivas Tantravahi, Dr. Afaf Osman, and Dr. Richard King in the Division of Hematology.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Genetic Counseling

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 5.0 out of 5
    5.0 /5
    ( out of 35 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    December 19, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Fantastic help and encouragement

    November 23, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Professional and caring. She earned my trust and I would go back to her in a heartbeat.

    July 02, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very professional...knew her subject matter ...explained concepts clearly

    June 26, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very attentive and empathetic. [TRANSLATED]

    June 19, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Real pleasure to discuss our situation with Jennie. She was very well versed, knowledgeable and helpful. Excited to continue to work with her.

    June 19, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Thanks for your help understanding our illness

    June 16, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    She's great and does her job well.

    February 17, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Jennie was so kind and easy to talk with about the test results. I learned a lot from her.

    January 14, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Jennie is amazing! She is kind and attentive. Most of all she does her best to see that all matters for you are taken care of.

  • Jennie Vagher, CGC, is a board-certified genetic counselor who graduated from the University of Utah's Genetics Program in Genetic Counseling. Since joining the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic at Huntsman Cancer Institute in 2017, she has established herself as an expert in rare cancer predisposition syndromes. She currently co-directs the INTERCePT (Inherited Tumor Evaluation Rare Cancer Predisposition Team) Clinic and oversees care for rare tumor syndromes at HCI, with a particular expertise in Li-Fraumeni and DICER1 syndromes.

    Jennie led the development of both the pediatric and adult Bone Marrow Failure programs for patients with inherited Bone Marrow Failure syndromes and other predispositions to hematologic malignancies. She has a specific interest in telomere biology disorders and collaborates with the Division of Pulmonology at the University of Utah to provide genetic evaluation to patients with interstitial lung diseases. She is an active member of the Telomere Biology Disorder Center at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute.

    Jennie provides comprehensive genetic counseling services to patients across Utah, including those seen at Primary Children's Hospital and LDS Hospital. Her research and clinical work have been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, furthering the understanding and management of rare cancer predisposition syndromes. As Senior Manager of Genetic Counseling Research, she also contributes to advancing knowledge in the field through research initiatives.

    She works closely with Dr. Luke Maese, Dr. Casey Mehrhoff, and Dr. Joshua Schiffman in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, as well as with Dr. Mary Beth Scholand in the Division of Pulmonology, and with Dr. Srinivas Tantravahi, Dr. Afaf Osman, and Dr. Richard King in the Division of Hematology.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Huntsman Cancer Institute -Midlevel
    Internal Medicine -Adjunct Assistant Professor
    Academic Divisions Oncology
    Board Certification
    American Board of Genetic Counseling

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Moses R, Indeglia A, Levine AS, Hausler R, Kelly G, Miller SA, Anez I, Heller M, Delgado R, Orr C, Kohlmann W, Naumer A, Vagher J, Cahill SR, Maese LD, Karanicolas J, Garber JE, Murphy ME, Maxwell KN (2025). Variation at the R181 residue of p53 confers loss of p53 DNA binding cooperativity with the retention of mitochondrial-associated apoptosis. bioRxiv. (Read full publication)
    2. Sleiman MM Jr, Statman MR, Yockel MR, Wu YP, Hamilton JG, Kohlmann WK, Vagher J, Feola S, Maese LD, Chen J, Appel B, Mehrhoff CJ, Peshkin BN, Kadan-Lottick NS, Kupfer GM, Tercyak KP (2025). Parental perspectives on the use of tumor molecular profiling and germline genetic testing during their children's cancer treatment. Fam Cancer, 24(3), 63. (Read full publication)
    3. Vagher J, Zakas A, Donovan L, Shoger K, Naumer A, Bly J, Smith-Simmer K, Maese L, Schiffman J, Kohlmann W, Garzon R, Churpek JE, Osman AEG (2025). Hematologic Malignancy Frequency, Phenotypes, and Outcomes in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. JCO Precis Oncol, 9, e2400860. (Read full publication)
    4. Stubbins RJ, Arnovitz S, Vagher J, Asom A, Perpich M, Pies M, Akpan IJ, Chew E, Bridgers J, Karsan A, Rodgers C, Koppayi A, Basdag H, Drazer MW, Das S, Cheng J, Osman AEG, Godley LA (2025). Predisposition to hematopoietic malignancies by deleterious germline CHEK2 variants. Leukemia. (Read full publication)
    5. Wen T, Boyden SE, Hocutt CM, Lewis RG, Baldwin EE, Vagher J, Andrews A, Nicholas TJ, Chapin A, Fan EM, Botto LD, Bayrak-Toydemir P, Mao R, Meznarich J (2025). Identification of two novel non-coding variants in Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Syndrome patients by whole genome sequencing. Blood Adv, 9(10), 2443-2452. (Read full publication)
    6. Beigh M, Vagher J, Codden R, Maese LD, Cook S, Gammon A (2024). Newborn Screening for Li-Fraumeni Syndrome: Patient Perspectives. (Read full publication)
    7. Fan EM, Vagher J, Meznarich JA, Ubico EM, Goteti S, Peterson D, Rayes A, Maese LD (2023). Severe congenital neutropenia, SRP54 pathogenicity, and a framework for surveillance. Am J Med Genet A, 191(5), 1434-1441. (Read full publication)
    8. Harriman JW, Espinel WF, Vagher J, Gammon A (2022). BRCA1/2 Variants Identified Through Tumor Genomic Profiling: Assessing Genetic Counseling Outcomes. JCO Precis Oncol, 6, e2100375. (Read full publication)
    9. Li P, Brown S, Williams M, White TA, Xie W, Cui W, Peker D, Lei L, Kunder CA, Wang HY, Murray SS, Vagher J, Kovacsovics T, Patel JL (2022). The genetic landscape of germline DDX41 variants predisposing to myeloid neoplasms. Blood, 140, 716-755. (Read full publication)
    10. Maxwell KN, Cheng HH, Powers J, Gulati R, Ledet EM, Morrison C, Le A, Hausler R, Stopfer J, Hyman S, Kohlmann W, Naumer A, Vagher J, Greenberg SE, Naylor L, Laurino M, Konnick EQ, Shirts BH, AlDubayan SH, Van Allen EM, Nguyen B, Vijai J, Abida W, Carlo MI, Dubard-Gault M, Lee DJ, Maese LD, Mandelker D, Montgomery B, Morris MJ, Nicolosi P, Nussbaum RL, Schwartz LE, Stadler Z, Garber JE, Offit K, Schiffman JD, Nelson PS, Sartor O, Walsh MF, Pritchard CC (2021). Inherited TP53 Variants and Risk of Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol, 81, 243-250. (Read full publication)
    11. Iglesias Cardenas F, Agarwal AM, Vagher J, Maese L, Fluchel M, Afify Z (2020). Two Clonally Distinct B-Cell Lymphomas Reveal the Diagnosis of XLP1 in a Male Child and His Asymptomatic Male Relatives: Case Report and Review of the Literature. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 43(8), e1210-e1213. (Read full publication)
    12. Thomsen W, Maese L, Vagher J, Moore K, Cheshier SH, Hofmann JW, Bruggers C (2022). Early Presentation of Homozygous Mismatch Repair Deficient Glioblastoma in Teen With Lynch Syndrome: Implications for Treatment and Surveillance. JCO Precis Oncol, 5, 670-675. (Read full publication)
    13. Li P, White T, Xie W, Cui W, Peker D, Zeng G, Wang HY, Vagher J, Brown S, Williams M, Kovacsovics T, Patel JL (2021). AML with germline DDX41 variants is a clinicopathologically distinct entity with an indolent clinical course and favorable outcome. Leukemia, 36, 664-674. (Read full publication)
    14. Chavez-Yenter D, Vagher J, Clayton MF, Rindler M, Shukovich M, Kaphingst KA (2021). "Being proactive, not reactive": exploring perceptions of genetic testing among White, Latinx, and Pacific Islander Populations. J Community Genet, 12(4), 617-630. (Read full publication)
    15. Maxwell KN, Cheng HH, Powers J, Gulati R, Ledet EM, Morrison C, Le A, Hausler R, Stopfer J, Hyman S, Kohlmann W, Naumer A, Vagher J, Greenberg SE, Naylor L, Laurino M, Konnick EQ, Shirts BH, AlDubayan SH, Van Allen EM, Nguyen B, Vijai J, Abida W, Carlo MI, Dubard-Gault M, Lee DJ, Maese LD, Mandelker D, Montgomery B, Morris MJ, Nicolosi P, Nussbaum RL, Schwartz LE, Stadler Z, Garber JE, Offit K, Schiffman JD, Nelson PS, Sartor O, Walsh MF, Pritchard CC (2021). Inherited TP53 Variants and Risk of Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol. (Read full publication)
    16. Landrith T, Li B, Cass AA, Conner BR, LaDuca H, McKenna DB, Maxwell KN, Domchek S, Morman NA, Heinlen C, Wham D, Koptiuch C, Vagher J, Rivera R, Bunnell A, Patel G, Geurts JL, Depas MM, Gaonkar S, Pirzadeh-Miller S, Krukenberg R, Seidel M, Pilarski R, Farmer M, Pyrtel K, Milliron K, Lee J, Hoodfar E, Nathan D, Ganzak AC, Wu S, Vuong H, Xu D, Arulmoli A, Parra M, Hoang L, Molparia B, Fennessy M, Fox S, Charpentier S, Burdette J, Pesaran T, Profato J, Smith B, Haynes G, Dalton E, Crandall JRR, Baxter R, Lu HM, Tippin-Davis B, Elliott A, Chao E, Karam R (2020). Splicing profile by capture RNA-seq identifies pathogenic germline variants in tumor suppressor genes. NPJ Precis Oncol, 4(1). (Read full publication)
    17. Himes DO, Vagher J (2020). Patient With Questions About Cancer Risk. Eur Urol, 16(7), e109-e112. (Read full publication)
    18. Moody EW, Vagher J, Espinel W, Goldgar D, Hagerty KJ, Gammon A (2022). Comparison of Somatic and Germline Variant Interpretation in Hereditary Cancer Genes. JCO Precis Oncol, 3, 1-8. (Read full publication)

    Review

    1. Vagher J, Mehrhoff CJ, Florou V, Maese LD (2024). Genetic Predisposition to Sarcoma: What Should Clinicians Know? [Review]. Curr Treat Options Oncol, 25(6), 769-783. (Read full publication)
    2. Vagher J, Gammon A, Kohlmann W, Jeter J (2022). Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers and Other Cutaneous Manifestations in Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes and Rare DNA Repair Disorders. [Review]. Front Oncol, 12, 837059. (Read full publication)
    3. Vagher J, Dietz MS, Schiffman JD, Kohlmann W, Maese L (2022). Germline predisposition to soft tissue sarcoma. [Review]. J Cancer Metastasis Treat, 8. (Read full publication)

    Book Chapter

    1. Vagher J, Maese L, Gammon A, Kohlmann W, Schiffman JD (2021). Inherited risk for childhood leukemia. In Vagher J|Maese L|Gammon A|Kohlmann W|Schiffman JD (Ed.), The Hereditary Basis of Childhood Cancer (pp. 315-360). (Read full publication)

    Case Report

    1. Franke K, Vagher J, Boyle J, Hall A, Smith-Simmer K (2022). Rare variant in the fumarate hydratase gene found in patients with clinical features of hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC): A case series. Clin Case Rep, 10(3), e05513. (Read full publication)
    2. Kerrigan K, Chan J, Vagher J, Kohlmann W, Naumer A, Anson J, Low S, Schiffman J, Maese L (2021). Lung Cancer in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. JCO Precis Oncol, 5. (Read full publication)
    3. Rathi N, Anderson N, Greenberg S, Vagher J, Agarwal N, Hahn AW (2018). DNA Damage Repair (DDR) Mutations and the Utility of High-Risk Genetics Clinics in Metastatic Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer (mCRPC). World J Oncol, 9(4), 119-122. (Read full publication)

    Letter

    1. Tantravahi SK, Huber BD, Vagher J, Maese L, Pomicter AD, Al-Sweel N, Asch JD, Toydemir RM, Hong B, Parker C (2022). Genome-wide uniparental disomy as a mechanism of immune escape in acquired aplastic anaemia. [Letter to the editor]. Br J Haematol, 198(6), e78-e81. (Read full publication)