GENASSIST™, Incorporated

Celebrates It's 27th Anniversary

     GENASSIST™, Incorporated, a woman owned and operated genetics company, was created like so many companies...out of necessity. Prior to GENASSIST™, the number of patients who had access to genetic information was severely limited. In addition, test results took weeks to return so that the information that the patient received was not timely. With a background in hospital administration, in 1983, Hildegarde S. Wexler, the founder and owner, created GENASSIST™ to ensure that any and all pregnant women would be able to receive the necessary genetic services that they required in a reliable, cost-effective, and timely manner.

     Since 1983, GENASSIST™ has been an integral part of the Denver medical community. As the program grew in numbers and in acceptance, Hilde was joined by her husband, Paul Wexler, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., as Medical Director, who was already Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as having just completed post-Doctoral work in genetics.

     Dr. Wexler has performed extensive work in the expanded applications of ultrasound studies in pregnant women and the use of prenatal diagnostic amniocentesis. While working in conjunction with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center on pregnant women with Rh disease in the late 1960's, Dr. Wexler took over the amniocentesis portion of the Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Program at the University of Colorado in 1974. He remained in that capacity until 1980, when he opened the Rose Medical Center Prenatal Diagnosis Program.

     Dr. Wexler is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and a Clinical Professor in the Division of Genetics/The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center/The Children's Hospital.

     Dr. Wexler has published more than 30 papers in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He also served as first author of five chapters and co-editor of Medical Care of the Pregnant Patient.  Dr. Wexler is the medical editor of three genetics books, The ABC's of Prenatal Diagnosis: A Guide to Pregnancy Testing and Issues, GENASSIST™ Publishing (c)1994, Revised Edition 2004 and The ABC's of Inheritance:  Risks To Our Children, GENASSIST™ Publishing (c) 2001-2005 and The ABC's of Ultrasound Diagnosis in Pregnancy, GENASSIST™ Publishing (c) 2008-2009.

     GENASSIST™ provides a service, using Your Genetic Profile, that is designed to assist the patient and the health care provider to research, record, and review the patient's family history for inherited conditions. Under Dr. Wexler's direct supervision, GENASSIST™ staff has access to specialists in all aspects of genetics. This approach allows the patient and the health care provider access to the latest genetic information and testing.

     GENASSIST™ works with hundreds of physicians and most hospitals throughout Colorado, as well as hospitals, labs and physicians from other parts of the U.S. and internationally. To help make genetic technology available to all patients, GENASSIST™ has secured insurance contracts with thousands of companies nationwide, including most EPO's,HMO's, PPO's, Point of Service plans as well as traditional insurance plans.(See insurance list).

     GENASSIST™ provides a type of "one-stop" shopping for genetic services that patients can use and be referred back to his or her healthcare provider.  The patients can utilize the following types of services:

• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Genetic Consultation & Testing
• Cancer Genetics
• Cytogenetics
• DNA Probe Genetics
• Infertility Genetics
• Pediatric & Clinical Genetics
• Preconceptional Genetics
• Prenatal Genetics

     Within these areas, specific services that GENASSIST™ provides include the following:

• Aneuploidy (Ultrascreen) 1st Trimester Screening (11-14 weeks gestation)
• Amniocentesis
• Blood Chromosome Karyotyping
• Cancer Family History Evaluations
• Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
• Donor/Recipient Screening
• Fetal Echocardiogram Ultrasound (22-24 weeks gestation)
• 1st Trimester Aneuploidy - Ultrascreen (11-14 weeks gestation)
• Genetic Consultation with Paul Wexler, M.D.
• GYN Ultrasound
• High Risk Pregnancy Evaluations
• Level II (OB) Ultrasound
• Pediatric Genetic Evaluations
• PreConceptional Counseling
• Prenatal Diagnostic Counseling
• Products of Conception Chromosome Studies
• Publishing
• 3D & 4D Ultrasound in conjunction with most physician referred ultrasounds
• Tissue Chromosome (Karyotype) Studies
• Ultrasound - 1st Trimester Aneuploidy Screening 11-14 weeks of pregnancy
• Ultrasound - Obstetrical, Level II (15-20 weeks) & Biophysical Profiles
• Ultrasound - Obstetrical, 3D & 4D ultrasound at Level II ultrasound
• Ultrasound - Fetal Echocardiography after the 22nd week of pregnancy
• Ultrasound - Gynecological

     As well as providing these genetic services, GENASSIST™ is a unique company in that they provide coordination for any and all genetic services that a patient may need. GENASSIST™ uses a network of laboratories which are able to provide prompt, accurate services which each patient deserves. This unique approach, saves the patient time and money, while providing ongoing support during an uncertain time.

     The wide breadth of work in genetics makes compilation and use of the emerging information by any single specialty difficult. With the rapid pace of progress in genetics, advancements introduced in one area may not see introduction into other specialties for several years. GENASSIST™ through its own in-house laboratory, as well as other specialty labs throughout the country, attempts to shorten the lag between the development of newer approaches to medical problems and their applications to families at risk. Also, approaches that appear to have promise for the future and those that currently offer diagnostic and therapeutic options for families and health care providers can be explored.

     Private family ownership has allowed GENASSIST™ to provide 1-2% of all the genetics work performed nationwide each year. GENASSIST's onsite laboratory is federally licensed and regulated, and is certified by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA).

     The ultrasound department is certified by The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and Aneuploidy Certification by The Fetal Medicine Foundation.

     GENASSIST's 27 year commitment to zero defects, fastest turnaround times, and user-friendly atmosphere for both patients and their health care providers has made it an example for other programs to strive for, and has helped put Denver high on the genetic map, both nationally and internationally.

     As more people become aware of the role that genetics plays in their personal lives, such as the possibility of a patient or a patient's family member developing certain medical conditions, the need for accurate, cost-effect and timely genetic services will grow.

 (c) GENASSIST™, Incorporated 2000-2010

 

Contact Information:

GENASSIST™, Incorporated

8101 E Belleview Ave Suite J Denver, CO 80237

1-800-359-9412, (303) 694-4665,

 (303) 694-3473 (fax)