Genetics clinic scheduled next week in Whitefish

The Daily Inter Lake

Shodair Medical Genetics of Helena has scheduled a clinic Tuesday and Wednesday in Whitefish to provide genetic evaluation and counseling to individuals and families.

Dr. John Johnson, medical geneticist and M.D., and Cindy Hudson, M.S., board-certified genetics counselor, will staff the clinic.

Located at North Valley Hospital, the clinic offers information about inherited diseases and conditions.

Common reasons for evaluation include: birth defects, behavioral abnormalities, familial hearing loss or blindness, abnormal growth patterns, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital or prenatal exposure to drugs, alcohol or medications.

Shodair staff members also provide risk assessments and counseling for families who may have a risk of inherited cancers.

Breast and colon cancers are the most common inherited cancers.

Anyone wishing to schedule an appointment should call the Medical Genetics Department at Shodair at 1-800-447-6614.

Shodair's clinical outreach program provides access to medical genetics services and expertise in communities around the state and throughout the year.