Children
For Patients and Families   Your Child's Health   Clinical Services   |   For Health Care Professionals   Medical Education   Medical Research

Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City – Pediatric Medical Genetics


Phone: (816) 234-3290

Toll Free: (800) 324-1334

Fax: (816) 346-1378

Genetics is changing the face of medicine and Children's Mercy Hospital is at the forefront of this movement.  Our board-certified pediatric geneticists, cytogeneticists, molecular geneticists and genetic counselors (learn more about our genetic counseling services) are experts in diagnosing and treating patients with genetic diseases, inherited disorders and genetic birth defects. Our comprehensive diagnostic services include chromosome analysis, molecular studies and biochemical testing.

Clinicians:  
Holly H. Ardinger, MD Section Chief; Pediatric Geneticist/Dysmorphologist, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Bryce A. Heese, MD Biochemical Geneticist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Laurie D. Smith, MD, PhD Clinical Geneticist/Biochemical Geneticist; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Counselors:
Michael L. Begleiter, MS, CGC - Senior Genetic Counselor/Manager
Andrea M. Atherton, MS, CGC
Janda L. Jenkins, MS, CGC
Mallory Martin, MS
Lee Z. Mays, MS, CGC
Meghan E. Strenk, MS
Holly I. Welsh, MS, CGG

Nurse Practitioners:
Ingrid A. Larson, RN, CPNP
Sara Ratliff, RN, CPNP

Genetics Clinic Nurse Manager: 
Melissa Erpelding, RN, BSN, CPN

Down Syndrome Clinic Staff: 
Nasreen Talib, MD, MPH, Medical Director Down Syndrome Clinic
Maria C. Dycoco, MD, Attending Pediatrician
Emily Coughlin, MA, Down Syndrome Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator

Genetics Research:  
Douglas C. Bittel, PhD Director, Developmental Genomics Laboratory; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Zohreh Talebizadeh, PhD Director, Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Laboratory; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

CMH Employees