Clinical Genetic Services

Medical Genetics Clinics
Complete diagnostic evaluations are available for individuals or families with the following conditions:

• Birth defects
• Mental retardation/developmental delay
• Growth delay or short stature
• Hearing impairment (children or young adults)
• Other medical conditions

Health maintenance visits are also available to individuals with known diagnoses to ensure appropriate, condition-specific medical surveillance. All patients and families are provided with language-appropriate genetic counseling, education, and relevant resources related to their condition. Detailed summary letters are provided to both referring physicians and patients. Genetic counseling visits to discuss known diagnoses or concerns regarding family history issues are also available. Appointments are available in both the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) Genetics Clinic and the Hennepin Faculty Associates (HFA) Genetics Clinic by calling:

• (612) 873-4686 for the HCMC Genetics Clinic
• (612) 347-6820 for the HFA Genetics Clinic

Cancer Genetics Clinic
Comprehensive hereditary cancer risk assessment is provided to individuals and families concerned about a family or medical history of cancer. When appropriate, the following services are available in the Cancer Genetics Clinic:

• Genetic predisposition testing for breast, ovarian, colon and many other cancer types
• Individual cancer risk assessment
• Discussion of cancer surveillance and risk reduction strategies
• Participation in national research studies

Detailed summary letters are provided to referring physicians and patients. Cancer Genetics evaluations are one of the many specialist services available within the Hennepin County Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling (612) 873-6369

Perinatal Center/ Obstetrical Testing Unit
The Obstetrical Testing Unit is staffed by Virginia Lupo, MD, perinatologist, Laura Coultrip, MD, perinatologist and Carol Ludowese, MS, CGC, genetic counselor. Prenatal diagnostic services are available for the following indications:

• maternal age (>35 years of age)
• abnormal serum screening
• abnormal ultrasound
• pregnancy exposures
• family history or personal history of birth defects, chromosome abnormalities or genetic disorders

Risk assessment, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnostic procedures are provided. Maternal fetal consultations are available. Detailed summary letters are provided to referring physicians and patients.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling (612) 873-5006.

Hennepin County Medical Center's Huntington Disease Center of Excellence
The Hennepin County Medical Center Huntington Disease Center of Excellence is a multidisciplinary clinic directed by Martha Nance, MD, neurologist and geneticist. Genetic counseling is provided by Carol Ludowese, MS, CGC. Genetic services are available for the following:

• Recent diagnosis of Huntington Disease in the family>
• Risk assessment based on family history
• Predictive genetic testing for at risk individuals
• Family planning and prenatal testing

Genetic counseling is provided for families. At risk individuals are offered a comprehensive program for predictive genetic testing. Individuals, both at risk and affected, are offered the opportunity to participate in national research studies. Genetic counseling is one of many specialist services available within the Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence.

For more information and/or to schedule an appointment, call (612) 873-6024.  

Hennepin Faculty Associates Neuromuscular Center
The Hennepin Faculty Associates Neuromuscular Center is a multidisciplinary clinic directed by William David, MD, neurologist. Genetic counseling is provided by Carol Ludowese, MS, CGC. Genetic services are available for the following:

• Recent diagnosis of a neuromuscular disease in the family
• Risk assessment based on family history
• Confirmatory genetic testing
• Family planning and prenatal testing

Genetic counseling is provided for individuals and families who have been diagnosed with an inherited neuromuscular disease. Genetic testing is available to confirm a diagnosis or to evaluate carrier status in at risk family members. Detailed summary letters are provided to referring physicians and patients. Genetic counseling is one of many specialist services available within the multidisciplinary Neuromuscular Center.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling (612) 873-5224

Hennepin Faculty Associates ALS Center
The Hennepin Faculty Associates ALS Center is a multidisciplinary clinic directed by William David, MD, neurologist. Genetic counseling is provided by Carol Ludowese, MS, CGC. Genetic services are available for the following:

• Risk assessment based on family history
• Confirmatory genetic testing
• Predictive genetic testing for at risk individuals

Genetic counseling is provided for individuals and families who have been diagnosed with familial ALS. As appropriate, genetic testing and DNA banking is offered to patients. At risk individuals are offered a comprehensive program for predictive genetic testing. Detailed summary letters are provided to referring physicians and patients. Genetic counseling is one of many specialist services available within the multidisciplinary ALS Center.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling (612) 347-5224

Carol Ludowese, M.S., C.G.C.
Phone: (612) 873-4686
Email: Carol.Ludowese@co.hennepin.mn.us

Providing Counseling Services for:

• Huntington Disease Center of Excellence
• HFA Neuromuscular Center
• ALS Center
• Obstetric genetic services

Carol Ludowese, MS, CGC, is a genetic counselor and diplomate of the American Board of Medical Genetics and the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Carol completed her graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She is actively involved in resident education. She is also a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Genetics and Cell Biology at the University of Minnesota. Carol staffs the Hennepin County Medical Center Perinatal Center, Hennepin County Medical Center's Huntington Disease Center of Excellence, Hennepin Faculty Associates Neuromuscular Center, Hennepin Faculty Associates ALS Center, and the Neuromuscular Center at Gillette Children's Hospital (St. Paul).