Mission Health's Fullerton Genetics Center moves to larger facility

Mission Health’s Fullerton Genetics Center, the only facility in western North Carolina offering genetic services, now has a new home. The 20,000-square-foot, brand-new, custom-built two-story building is adjacent to the Mission Children’s Hospital Reuter Outpatient Center.

“The opening of this new facility will ensure that Mission is positioned to continue to provide the best services for patients and their families via the breakthroughs in genetics and medicine that the next 20 years will bring," said Linda Costello, Director, Fullerton Genetics Clinical Practice.  “This facility brings together all components of the genetics program at Mission Health: the genetics laboratory, the clinical genetics practice and the personalized medicine program.”

At the Fullerton Genetics Center, a conscious focus is placed on inherited genetic characteristics and whether or not individuals are more prone to certain diseases because of their genetic code.  Two board certified MD geneticists and five board certified genetic counselors are on staff to provide clinical evaluations, counseling and, if indicated, recommend genetic testing for patients across the life span -- from newborns with birth defects to adults with inherited forms of cancer.  With the personalized medicine program, the center expands its focus to the genetics of drug response -- minimizing the potential for harmful side effects and maximizing effective drug response for cancer and non-cancer conditions.

“We are able to offer advanced testing and quality care to many, in large part, thanks to the dedicated staff at the Fullerton Genetics Center,” said Susan Mims, MD, MPH, Vice President, Fullerton Genetics Center.  “Our advanced laboratory services include prenatal testing, testing for genetic causes of autism, developmental delays and birth defects, as well as testing for a wide variety of genetic conditions in both children and adults.”

About 2,500 patients are seen annually at the Fullerton Genetics Center.  The new Fullerton Genetics Center is located at 9 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Asheville, NC 28803.  For more information about the Fullerton Genetics Center, call 828-213-0022 or toll free at 1-888-810-2800.