Genetics Education & Counseling Program

A joint program of the University of Pittsburgh
and UPMC Health System

Program design
People who may benefit from the program
Program services
Community education missions
Contact the Genetics Education & Counseling Program

Along with the pride that comes from our ancestries, we may carry family genes that put us at increased risk for passing on or developing certain genetic diseases and cancers. Having accurate, up-to-date information about the causes and care of inherited diseases can help us calm our fears and make better choices about our futures.

The Genetics Education and Counseling Program is dedicated to providing the latest information about inherited conditions and related services for individuals, families, and whole communities.

The Genetics Education and Counseling Program provides information about familial cancers and inherited metabolic disorders, including conditions that occur more frequently in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.

The program is designed to

• improve awareness of genetics and genetic diseases in the community and among professionals

• provide information about individual referrals to clinical and testing services in genetics

People who may benefit from the program include

• anyone seeking information about a particular genetic or family-based condition, genetic services, testing, treatment, or genetics in general

• health care professionals who want to keep abreast of new developments in medical genetics as well as ethical and social issues that accompany new discoveries

Program services include

• educational workshops and programs tailored to specific interests and needs of organizations and individuals interested in genetics, genetic diseases, and the range of genetic services available in Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania

• referral information for individuals and families who seek genetic evaluation and consultation, as well as genetic testing, when appropriate

• resource and informational materials, including pamphlets and fact sheets, World Wide Web site addresses, and telephone hot line numbers about many hereditary and family-related conditions, such as

• family-related cancers

• susceptibilities to hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer

• Tay-Sachs, Gaucher, and Canavan diseases

The Genetics Education and Counseling Program works closely with and extends the community education missions of the following

Cancer Genetics Program
A joint program of UPMC Health System's University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Magee-Womens Hospital
Telephone 800-454-8156
http://www.pitt.edu/~tawst14/Genetics/

Center for the Study and Treatment of Jewish Genetic Diseases
UPMC Health System
Telephone 800-334-7980
http//www.pitt.edu/~geneorb

Gaucher Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center
UPMC Health System
Telephone 800-334-7980
http//www.pitt.edu/~geneorb

The program was launched with support from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Ladies Hospital Aid Society of Western Pennsylvania, and the Aronson Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation.