Clinical Genetics Services

At VCU Health Genetics, we understand that everyone has questions about their genetic makeup. Some of us know that a particular health condition, like cystic fibrosis, intellectual disability, cancer or early-onset heart disease runs in our family. Expectant parents may have concerns about their child having a birth defect or other genetic conditions. Often patients and families question how to best manage a genetic condition and where they can get help.

When a genetic condition or birth defect happens, family members often ask:

• What caused this?
• Can this be treated, managed or prevented?
• What can we expect in the future?
• Is there a test to detect this?
• Can this be detected in future pregnancies?
• What does this mean for my relatives?
• Where can we go for more information and help?

When you have questions like these, it’s important to ask your doctor about them. Your doctor can help you decide if a genetic consultation would be beneficial for you or your family. Genetic evaluation and counseling can help answer some of these questions. Genetic testing is available for more than 1,500 conditions and this number is increasing rapidly.

Our team of geneticists and genetic counselors have a long-standing history of providing clinical genetic, laboratory and counseling services to families in Virginia and other states. Available clinical services include:

• Pediatric and adult diagnostic evaluations
• Management of genetic conditions
• Metabolic genetics consultation and management
• Cancer genetic risk assessment
• Multidisciplinary care for certain genetic conditions
• Preconception genetic counseling
• Genetic counseling regarding testing and results

Services are provided by a team of medical professionals including a physician geneticist, a physician assistant, genetic counselors, registered dietician and other genetics support staff.  Prenatal counseling and testing is available through the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

We have multiple clinic locations. Telehealth from your home is also available for some services. Patients and families can be referred by a health care provider or may self-refer by providing relevant medical records.