Genetic Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Genetic services in Grand Rapids, Michigan help individuals and families who are affected by, or at risk for, inherited conditions or birth defects. These services support you in making informed decisions about your health and your family’s future.

Common genetic services in West Michigan include:

  • Genetic diagnosis, screening, and testing
  • Genetic counseling
  • Education and information about inherited conditions
  • Advocacy and emotional support
  • Coordination of care and referrals to specialists

You may choose to access a genetic service if:

  • You have a family history of a specific genetic condition (such as certain cancers, heart disease, or muscular disorders)
  • You are planning a pregnancy or are currently pregnant and want more information about risks
  • A family member has been diagnosed with a genetic condition
  • You have symptoms that could be related to an inherited disorder

In Grand Rapids, many genetic services are available through major health systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as through partnerships with larger academic centers in Michigan.

Genetics Is a Rapidly Growing Field

Advances in genetic science and testing technology over the past decade have dramatically improved:

  • Our understanding of how genes influence health and disease
  • Our ability to test for specific genetic and chromosomal conditions
  • The accuracy and accessibility of many genetic tests

As knowledge grows, more conditions are recognized as having a genetic component. This means more individuals and families in Grand Rapids are being referred for genetic counseling and testing—for everything from hereditary cancers to inherited heart conditions, neurologic disorders, and rare diseases.

Because Michigan experiences strong seasonal changes—cold, long winters and warm, humid summers—some inherited conditions (like certain blood or immune disorders, or conditions affecting circulation) may have symptoms that vary by season. A genetic specialist can help you understand how your genes and the West Michigan environment may interact.

Types of Genetic Services Available in Grand Rapids, Michigan

In and around Grand Rapids, genetic services are offered in a variety of healthcare settings, including large hospitals, specialty clinics, and pediatric centers. Services often include:

Carrier Screening

Carrier screening can tell you whether you and your partner carry a genetic change (mutation) for the same recessive condition. You may consider carrier screening if you:

  • Are planning a pregnancy or are in early pregnancy
  • Have a family history of an inherited disorder
  • Belong to an ethnic group with higher rates of specific conditions

Common conditions screened for include:

  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
  • Certain inherited blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease, thalassemia)

Carrier screening is available through obstetrics and gynecology practices, fertility clinics, and maternal–fetal medicine specialists in Grand Rapids.

Prenatal Genetic Screening and Diagnostic Testing

If you are pregnant in Grand Rapids, your obstetric provider may offer several options to assess your baby’s risk for chromosomal or genetic conditions.

Prenatal screening tests (non-diagnostic) may include:

  • Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) – A blood test from the mother that analyzes fetal DNA in the bloodstream to assess risk for conditions such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13.
  • First trimester combined screening – Includes an ultrasound (nuchal translucency) and blood tests to estimate risk for certain chromosomal conditions.
  • Second trimester serum screening – Sometimes called the “quad screen,” it measures specific substances in the mother’s blood to evaluate risk.

If a screening test or ultrasound shows a higher risk, you may be offered diagnostic tests, which can give more definitive answers:

  • Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) – Usually done in the first trimester, involves taking a small sample of placental tissue.
  • Amniocentesis – Usually done in the second trimester, involves taking a small sample of amniotic fluid.

These procedures are typically performed by maternal–fetal medicine specialists at major hospitals such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital.

Newborn Screening in Michigan

All newborn babies in Michigan, including those born in Grand Rapids hospitals, receive statewide newborn screening shortly after birth. A small blood sample from your baby’s heel is tested for a panel of serious but treatable conditions, which may include:

  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • Congenital hypothyroidism
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Various metabolic and endocrine disorders
  • Certain blood and immune system conditions

Newborn screening is coordinated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and results are shared with your baby’s healthcare provider. If a concern is found, your family may be referred to a pediatric specialist or a clinical genetics team in Grand Rapids or elsewhere in Michigan.

Diagnostic Genetic Testing for Specific Conditions

Diagnostic genetic testing is used to confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition in a person who already has symptoms or abnormal test results. This may be recommended if:

  • You have signs of a neurologic, cardiac, metabolic, or developmental disorder
  • Imaging or lab tests suggest a possible genetic cause
  • A close family member has a known genetic mutation

Examples of diagnostic genetic testing include:

  • Single-gene tests (for specific conditions)
  • Gene panels (testing multiple genes at once, e.g., for epilepsy, cardiomyopathy, or inherited cancer)
  • Chromosomal microarray (to look for missing or extra pieces of chromosomes)
  • Whole exome sequencing in complex or undiagnosed cases

In Grand Rapids, diagnostic testing is often ordered through:

  • Clinical genetics clinics affiliated with Corewell Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Pediatric specialty clinics at local children’s hospitals or partner institutions
  • Cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, and other specialists when a genetic cause is suspected

Predictive and Risk Assessment Testing (Including Cancer Genetics)

Predictive genetic testing is used when a specific mutation is known in a family and you do not yet have symptoms. This can help estimate your risk of developing a condition later in life.

You may be referred for predictive testing if:

  • A close relative has a hereditary cancer syndrome (e.g., BRCA1/BRCA2, Lynch syndrome)
  • Your family has a known mutation causing inherited heart disease (e.g., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome)
  • There is a strong family pattern of early-onset diseases (e.g., early breast cancer, colon cancer, certain neurologic diseases)

Family cancer clinics and hereditary cancer programs in Grand Rapids and across Michigan can:

  • Review your personal and family history
  • Estimate your cancer risk
  • Recommend appropriate genetic testing
  • Discuss screening options (such as earlier or more frequent mammograms, colonoscopies, or cardiac testing)
  • Help you plan preventive strategies and long-term care

Your primary care provider, OB/GYN, or oncologist can refer you to these services. For residents of Grand Rapids, referrals often go through:

  • Corewell Health Cancer Center (Grand Rapids)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids oncology programs
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health cancer services

Genetic Counseling, Education, and Support

Genetic counseling is a key part of nearly all genetic services. A genetic counselor or clinical geneticist will:

  • Review your medical and family history
  • Explain what specific genetic tests can and cannot tell you
  • Discuss potential benefits, limitations, and risks of testing
  • Help you understand your test results
  • Support you in making informed decisions about screening, treatment, and family planning

Counselors in Grand Rapids can also:

  • Connect you with local and national support groups for specific genetic conditions
  • Provide resources on living with chronic or inherited diseases in Michigan’s climate (e.g., managing circulation issues in cold winters, asthma or allergies during seasonal changes)
  • Help coordinate care among local specialists, therapists, and primary care providers

Local public health resources such as the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can provide additional education and referrals, especially for families with limited access to care.

Where Genetic Services Are Typically Provided in Grand Rapids

While specific program names and locations may change over time, many genetic services for West Michigan residents are offered through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
    • Main campus and specialty clinics (oncology, cardiology, maternal–fetal medicine, pediatrics)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Hospital-based genetics and oncology services
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Specialty clinics with access to University of Michigan genetics expertise
  • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics
    • Primary and specialty care with referral pathways to genetic services

Some services may be provided by local clinicians with direct access to larger academic genetics programs elsewhere in Michigan via telehealth (secure video visits). This is especially helpful for people living outside the Grand Rapids metro area or those who have difficulty traveling in winter weather.

How Genetic Testing Is Done

Genetic testing usually involves taking a sample of body tissue. The type of sample depends on the test:

  • Blood sample – Most common for many genetic and chromosomal tests
  • Saliva or cheek swab – Often used for carrier screening and some diagnostic tests
  • Tissue or skin biopsy – Occasionally needed for specific conditions
  • Prenatal samples – Amniotic fluid (amniocentesis) or placental tissue (CVS)

If a specific test is not available in Grand Rapids, your sample may be sent to a specialized laboratory elsewhere in Michigan or out of state. Your local healthcare team will still guide you through the process and explain the results.

Choosing Safe and Reliable Genetic Testing

For accurate results and appropriate follow-up:

  • Use accredited genetic tests ordered by a healthcare professional, such as your primary care doctor, OB/GYN, pediatrician, or specialist.
  • Be cautious about direct-to-consumer or “send-away” genetic tests purchased online. These are not always regulated, may not be clinically validated, and often do not include counseling to help you interpret results.
  • Always discuss test results with a qualified healthcare provider or genetic counselor before making medical or family-planning decisions.

Support, Advocacy, and Community Resources

Living with a genetic condition—or learning you are at increased risk—can be emotionally and practically challenging. In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, support is available through:

  • Hospital-based social work and patient navigator programs
  • Condition-specific support groups (for example, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer groups, cystic fibrosis foundations, or rare disease networks)
  • Statewide and national organizations focused on genetic and rare diseases

Local public health agencies that can help connect you with resources include:

  • Kent County Health Department – Education, referrals, and community health programs
  • Grand Rapids Public Health – Local health initiatives and support services
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) – Newborn screening program and genetic service information

These organizations can help you:

  • Find specialists and clinics in the Grand Rapids area
  • Access financial assistance programs when available
  • Connect with other families facing similar conditions
  • Learn how to manage health needs through Michigan’s seasonal changes

How to Access Genetic Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan

To get started with genetic services:

  1. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) or OB/GYN.

    • Share your personal and family medical history.
    • Ask whether genetic counseling or testing might be helpful for you or your family.

  2. Request a referral to a genetic counselor or clinical genetics service.

    • Referrals can usually be made within local systems such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

  3. Check with your health insurance plan about coverage for genetic counseling and testing.

    • Many plans cover testing when it is medically indicated (for example, due to family history or abnormal screening results).

  4. Ask about telehealth options.

    • If travel is difficult—especially during West Michigan’s winter months—virtual visits may be available for counseling and follow-up.

When to Consider Genetic Services

You may benefit from seeing a genetic specialist in Grand Rapids if:

  • You or your child has multiple birth defects, developmental delay, or a complex medical history
  • Several relatives on the same side of the family have had the same type of cancer, especially at a young age
  • You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and want to discuss screening options
  • You belong to a population with higher risks for certain inherited conditions
  • You have a family member with a known genetic mutation and want to understand your own risk

Accessing genetic services can help you:

  • Understand your health risks
  • Make proactive decisions about screening and prevention
  • Plan for pregnancy and family building
  • Connect with local and statewide support resources in Grand Rapids and across Michigan