Prevention. Promotion. Protection.

Genetic Services

The Alaska Genetic Clinics offer specialty genetics clinics for diagnosis and genetic counseling for individuals with inherited conditions, chromosomal disorders (i.e. Down syndrome), or birth defects.  Common referrals include:

  • Birth defects or Genetic Disorders;
  • Families in which more than one person has the same condition or disorder;
  • Developmental delays where the person does not reach developmental milestones on time, or they do not function developmentally, intellectually, socially, or behaviorally as expected for age;
  • Changes in body chemistry such as extremely high and low protein, fat or sugar levels in the blood;
  • Sensory impairment, like vision or hearing problems;
  • Infants identified with a Metabolic disorder through the Newborn Metabolic Screening Program.

Services and Delivery

For newborns to adults 22 years of age- a genetic evaluation for diagnosis can be referred to Alaska Genetic Clinics by their health care provider. Referrals are accepted from the military, IHS, and public/private health sectors. Clinic staff consists of clinical geneticists and genetic counselors from both the University of Washington and the  Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle;  also on the staff are local public health nurses. At clinic, patients can expect a physical examination, and the geneticist will talk with them about the diagnosis, its cause, treatment, reproductive risks, and carrier testing.

The genetics counselor works with families for pre-clinic preparation and post-clinic follow-up, as well as further testing if required. In addition to clinics, medical geneticists are available by telephone for Alaska physicians. They provide medical educational presentations to health care providers in Anchorage, Bethel, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka.

*  A contract with Children’s Hospital in Seattle provides the geneticists and genetic counselors who staff the genetics clinics.

Clients Served

Approximately 350 families are seen annually at genetics clinics held throughout the year in Anchorage, Bethel, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka.

Budget

Funding for Genetic Services is provides by federal (MCH Block Grant) and state funds.
Challenges and Accomplishments

The State of Alaska does not have a medical school or a genetics laboratory.  Providing high-quality, specialized genetic services to a geographically remote and diverse population is a continuing challenge.  Genetics is a rapidly expanding area of medicine that is becoming an important component of other areas of medicine and dentistry.

Contact

For clinic schedules and program information, contact:

Meg Kurtagh, Clinic Manager
Genetics Clinic
Alaska Division of Public Health
Women’s, Children’s and Family Health
4701 Business Park Blvd., Building J, Suite 20
Anchorage, AK 99503-7123
907-269-3432

Send an E-Mail Message to Clinic Manager