The Southern New Jersey Regional Genetics program at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper and Cooper University Health Care is a comprehensive, state-designated program for children, adults, and their families who are affected by birth defects, genetic conditions, and issues arising from prenatal exposures.
At Cooper, we are committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered genetic care through expert diagnosis, cutting-edge genomic testing, and compassionate counseling. The education of patients and their families about rare diagnoses and the provision of support resources is a large component of our activities.
Cooper’s Genetics team includes highly specialized experts with diverse experience in clinical genetics, cytogenetics, biochemical and genomic testing, and genetic counseling. Among the activities of our program:
- We provide comprehensive medical genetics evaluations and consultations (inpatient and outpatient).
- We provide medical management of many genetic disorders.
- We are an integral part of the Cooper Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Program.
- We provide selected prenatal and preconception evaluations for risk assessment and counseling.
- Our practice is part of the environment of an academic medical center with other supportive pediatric and adult subspecialties.
- We are affiliated with a four-year medical school.
Our team of specialists has experience in diagnosing and caring for patients with a variety of genetic conditions, including:
- Autism and neurodevelopmental concerns
- Congenital malformations/birth defects
- Chromosome abnormalities such as Down syndrome, sex chromosome abnormalities and rarer chromosome conditions
- Genetic skin and neurocutaneous disorders, skeletal dysplasias, craniofacial disorders, hereditary connective tissue disorders, ambiguous genitalia, hereditary ophthalmologic disorders and hearing loss, and other genetic disorders
- Biochemical genetic disorders
- Clinical genomics and sequencing variant interpretation
- Ashkenazi Jewish genetic disorders
- Tumor/cancer genetic predisposition in children and in some adults with uncommon cancers
Although our primary focus is pediatric care, we also provide genetic services for selected adult patients if their needs cannot be met by adult providers. Our broad diagnostic expertise allows us to address a wide range of genetic concerns across different life stages.
What to Expect
A comprehensive genetics evaluation typically includes the review of previous medical records and testing, birth, developmental and more recent medical history, family history, and a detailed physical examination.
The medical geneticist or genetic counselor under the direction of the geneticist may then make recommendations for testing and will obtain informed consent for genetic testing. In many cases, DNA can be sampled directly in the clinic using noninvasive techniques.
Results will then be reviewed and interpreted. Relevant medical management or referrals will be provided if needed.
Meet the Team
Rhonda E. Schnur, MD, FACMG
Head, Division of Genetics
Professor of Pediatrics, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Certifications: American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Medical Genetics (Clinical Genetics, Clinical Cytogenetics, Clinical Biochemical Genetics)
Maria Irene Scarano, PhD, MS, LCGC
Licensed genetic counselor
Certification: American Board of Genetic Counseling
Faye L Shapiro, MS, LCGC
Licensed genetic counselor
Certification: American Board of Genetic Counseling
Locations
CAMDEN
3 Cooper Plaza
Suite 200
Camden, NJ 08103
VOORHEES
Cooper University Health Care – Voorhees Campus
6400 Main St.
Voorhees, NJ 08043
Contact Us
To learn more about our Genetics program or to schedule an appointment, please call 856 968-7255.