The mission of the Division of Medical Genetics is to advance and support the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of genetic disease. Our goal is to serve the community as the southeast's most comprehensive state-of-the-art clinical genetics center and laboratory. In November of 2002, the Division of Medical Genetics became part of the Department of Human Genetics in the School of Medicine. This merger has fostered collaboration between physicians and basic scientists in the field of human and medical genetics as they focus on the treatments for both common and rare genetic diseases.
The goal of the Department of Human Genetics is to be one of the top research departments and clinical care facilities for human genetics in the country. This goal, initiated by Department Chair Dr. Stephen T. Warren, has set the groundwork for world-class research and results.
The Emory Medical Genetics Division is composed of an outstanding group of physicians, researchers, nutritionists, technologists and genetic counselors who work together as a multidisciplinary team. Many of our team members are pioneers in the field of medical genetics and all provide exceptional expertise in patient care, from the simplest to the most complex genetic cases.
Leading the division is David H. Ledbetter, Ph.D., FACMG, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Human Genetics. Dr. Ledbetter has made seminal discoveries in medical genetics and is known for his success in translating fundamental bench research into clinically useful diagnostic genetic tests. In addition to leading his active basic research laboratory, he oversees the clinical diagnostic genetic laboratories.
The Medical Director of the division is Paul M. Ferhnoff, M.D., FACMG, Associate Professor of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, recognized for his work on Georgia's State Newborn Screening Program, which screens newborns for inherited life-threatening metabolic disorders. Dr. Fernhoff has cared for patients and families at Emory and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta since 1976 and is a guest scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drs. Fernhoff and Ledbetter work in tandem with board-certified geneticists and world-class researchers to provide patients and their families with cutting-edge genetic diagnostics and clinical genetic studies. And, the experienced staff of the Emory Genetics Laboratory has been providing genetic services for over 30 years.
A genetic counselor is on-call Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:00, for any questions regarding genetic laboratory testing or clinical genetic services, at (404) 778-8500 or 1-800-366-1502.
Please go to: www.genetics.emory.edu for the main website of the Department of Human Genetics.
