Prenatal Genetics and Genetic Counseling

This program offers evaluation and counseling for couples who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and have a family history of birth defects, genetic disorders, intrauterine exposures, multiple miscarriages, or advanced maternal age. Professionally trained personnel assist individuals, couples, and families to understand genetic conditions or birth defects.

These professionals can also help in finding medical services and community aid for affected individuals and their families. Individuals and/or families who would benefit from genetic counseling include:

• Parents of a child with a genetic disorder, birth defect or chromosome abnormality
• Couples who have experienced repeated pregnancy loss
• Women who have been exposed to medications,drugs,radiation or other environmental agents
• Individuals with a family history of a birth defect,developmental delay or genetic condition
• Couples with advanced maternal or paternal age
• Members of certain ethnic groups at increased risk for genetic disorders (i.e. those of Eastern European Jewish, Italian, Greek, African-American or Caucasian descent or a couple in which the partners are related to each other)
• Individuals interested in prenatal diagnosis including those with positive screening results

Genetic Counselers at Allegheny General Hospital

Susan B. Lewis, MS, CGC
Ms. Lewis has been a prenatal genetic counselor since 1990. A native of Pittsburgh, she earned a BS in Biology at Penn State University and a Master of Science Degree in Genetic Counseling through the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health. She also achieved board certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Before coming to AGH, Ms. Lewis provided genetic counseling services for Genetics and IVF Institute of Ohio/Center for Diagnostic Ultrasound, and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital. More recently, Ms. Lewis combined her interest in genetics with newborn screening at Pediatrix Screening. She is pleased to continue her work in the prenatal setting as part of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department at Allegheny General Hospital.

Kelly C. Donahue, MS, CGC
Ms. Donahue has been a genetic counselor at since 1994. A native of Pittsburgh, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Allegheny College as well as a Master of Science Degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. She is board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Prior to coming to Allegheny General Hospital, Ms. Donahue was a prenatal, pediatric and adult genetic counselor for Helix Health System in Baltimore, Maryland and MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. She most recently worked at Pediatrix Screening in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania where she focused on physician education and implementation of genetic screening services. Ms. Donahue joined the Marternal-Fetal Medicine team at AGH in 2004.

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