Providing diagnostic evaluations and genetic counseling
Genetics is the study of how diseases and traits are passed on through a family and how they can affect a person’s growth and development. In rare cases, problems with our genetic makeup can lead to serious illnesses or conditions. When this happens, it is critical to have a team of doctors and health care professionals who are familiar with these rare conditions on your side.
MultiCare diagnoses genetic conditions in both children and adults and works closely with patients and their families to help manage genetic illnesses. Our goal is to provide the expertise, information, support and advocacy you need in a compassionate and caring environment.
How we help
At MultiCare, we have a team of geneticists, genetic counselors, nurse practitioners and clinical nutritionists who are ready to help you and your family understand the genetic condition or trait.
We provide diagnostic evaluations and genetic counseling to patients and families with known or suspected inherited diseases. This may include autism, developmental delays, multiple congenital anomalies, inherited metabolic disorders, failure to thrive, seizures, birth defects and other distinctive health concerns. Our services include:
- Cancer Genetics Clinic at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital: Serving adult patients only, the clinic is focused on evaluating individuals for the possibility of an inherited genetic cancer syndrome. We also help support the work of MultiCare Cancer Institute’s precision medicine program.
- Mary Bridge Children’s Genetics Clinic: Our main genetics clinic is located in the Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center building, and serves both children and adults. We provide diagnostic evaluation, genetic testing, genetic counseling and disease monitoring for our patients, among other services.
- Mary Bridge Children’s Biochemical Genetics Clinic: The Biochemical Genetics Clinic specializes in evaluating, diagnosing and treating metabolic conditions in both children and adults, such as organic acid disorders, amino acid disorders, fatty acid disorders, mitochondrial disorders and lysosomal storage disorders.
- MultiCare Genetics – Yakima: The clinic is located near MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital and provides genetic counseling services to both children and adults. Additionally, the clinic works closely with Children’s Village physicians and cancer risk assessment teams at North Star Lodge and ‘Ohana Mammography Center.