Finding answers in DNA. Founded in 2015 on the campus of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine, LLC., is a nonprofit medical clinic that uses the power of genetic tests, whole genome sequencing, and genetic counseling to deliver important genetic information to patients, opening the door to improved healthcare.
IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
On the campus of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Imagine being able to make healthcare decisions that are uniquely suited to you. The key to personalized healthcare is in your DNA. Genetic testing allows you to look into the past, present, and future to better treat ge- netic diseases, proactively manage your health and well-being, and make better healthcare choices for you and your family. Founded in 2015 on the campus of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine, LLC., is a nonprofit medical clinic that uses the power of genetic tests, whole genome sequencing, and genetic counseling to deliver
Proactive Health Testing Because DNA holds important information about our health,
knowing the ins and outs of our genetic makeup empowers us to be proactive and make informed healthcare decisions.
Carrier Testing Over 2 billion people carry genetic disorders that can be passed on to their children. Carrier testing can help inform couples who are planning a family of their risks to have children with certain genetic conditions. Because our first child struggles with several genetic disorders, testing helped us know whether or not our second child would face the same risks. — Hannah Kennamer Smith Family Clinic carrier testing patient and mother of a pediatric clinic patient
important genetic information to patients, opening the door to improved healthcare.
Did You Know? l Many common health
Pharmacogenetic Testing Common medications such as statins, blood thinners, antidepressants, or pain medications may not work properly for everyone, and if you are one of those for whom these drugs are less effective, pharmacogenetic testing could provide important information for your care.
conditions have a genetic cause, such as heart disease, hypertension, and neurological problems
l A genetic diagnosis can help patients get treated by specialized physicians, access new treatments, and even receive healthcare coverage for screenings l Knowing the genetic cause of a disease may help patients’ families identify their own risk for disease l An estimated 95% of people have a gene variant that can affect response to at least one common drug, making some drugs more effective than others l Nearly 8 million children around the world are born with a genetic disorder, and 10% of pediatric deaths are caused by an inherited genetic disorder
Disease Risk Testing For patients who have a family history of a disease, such as cancer, heart disease, and others, disease risk testing can help patients know whether they need earlier or increased screenings. As a physician, genetic testing at the Smith Family Clinic has helped me personalize treatment plans for my patients and make an even greater difference in their lives. — Dr. William Schneider, Huntsville Cardiovascular Clinic Pediatric Testing Children with genetic diseases often struggle with developmental or intellectual delays or disorders, and may also suffer from medical conditions that seem unrelated to each other. Without a genetic diagnosis, it is challeng- ing to treat the child’s symptoms and know what the future holds. A diagnosis allows the child’s medical team to refine their care plan to the child’s specific needs, provides access to more targeted treatments, and helps determine if preventative screenings are needed. Genetics can tell us things a routine medical exam can’t. It helped us connect the dots about what our son is facing and empowered us to plan for what’s ahead. — Laura McLester, mother of a Smith Family Clinic pediatric patient
Adult Undiagnosed Disease Testing
Whether someone has struggled for years to find a diagnosis or develops a health condition with a suspected genetic cause, a diagnosis
provides transformational information to patients. It can help identify more targeted treatments, inform healthcare decisions, and highlight the need for life-saving screenings or preventative measures for other family members.
Unlocking the key to my genetics helped me find answers to my neurological difficulties. The clinic has made such an impact on my care. —Jim Wall, Smith Family Clinic adult patient
the HUDSONALPHA hero fund
The Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine is committed to making genetic testing accessible to all who need it. Supported by philanthropic donations, the Clinic’s Hero Fund helps patients who face financial barriers access the care and genetic testing they need. More than $40,000 of Hero Fund aid is disbursed annually to Smith Family Clinic patients, covering expenses from genetic counseling appointments to costly genomic sequencing.
The Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine depends on philanthropy to fund vital services Make a gift that improves and saves lives by supporting the Smith Family Clinic through a gift to the HudsonAlpha Foundation.
Donate by scanning the QR code or visiting hudsonalpha.org/support-sfc
Donations made to the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine are part of the HudsonAlpha Foundation Scientific Advancement Fund.
The Smith Family Clinic offers patients answers that can only be found through genetic testing, adding tremendous benefit to our community’s patients and physicians. We depend on philanthropy to offer these essential services. — Meagan Cochran, MS, CGC Director for The Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine
601 Genome Way Huntsville, Alabama 35806 256.327.0422 email: foundation@hudsonalpha.org
The HudsonAlpha Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the supporting entity for the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation are for the sole purpose of advancing the mission of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.
Tax identification #27-2320591
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