The USF Health Division of Genetics and Metabolism, established in 1977, is the largest genetics program in the Tampa Bay region and provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for children and adults with genetic and inherited metabolic disorders. As one of only three Florida Regional Newborn Screening Genetics Centers, our team serves patients throughout West Central Florida and provides expert evaluation and management of infants identified through the Florida Newborn Screening Program, as well as individuals referred for suspected or confirmed genetic conditions.

Our faculty provides a full spectrum of clinical genetics services, including pediatric genetics, adult genetics, genetic counseling, and the diagnosis and management of inborn errors of metabolism. We also offer specialized multidisciplinary clinics, including cardiovascular genetics, and our genetic counselors participate in multidisciplinary Huntington disease clinics. In addition to our outpatient services, our faculty provides inpatient genetics consultation services at Tampa General Hospital, working closely with neonatal, pediatric, adult, and critical care teams to evaluate patients with suspected genetic disorders.

Comprehensive Genetic Services

Our team provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, genetic testing, genetic counseling, treatment recommendations, and long-term management for individuals and families affected by genetic conditions. Our services include:

• Pediatric Genetics

• Adult Genetics

• Genetic Counseling Clinics

• Inborn Errors of Metabolism (Metabolic Genetics)

• Florida Newborn Screening Follow-up

• Multidisciplinary Specialty Clinics, including Cardiovascular Genetics and Huntington Disease

• Inpatient Genetics Consultation Services at Tampa General Hospital

Patients with inherited metabolic disorders receive comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, genetic counselors, and a specialized metabolic dietitian who provides individualized nutritional management and long-term metabolic monitoring.

Education

As part of USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, education is a core mission of our division. Our faculty are actively involved in the training of pediatric residents, medical students, and genetic counseling students who rotate through our clinics. Several members of our faculty also teach within the University of South Florida's Genetic Counseling Program, the only accredited genetic counseling training program in Florida.

Research

The Division of Genetics and Metabolism maintains an active clinical research program dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic and metabolic disorders. Our research team participates in numerous national and international clinical trials evaluating innovative therapies, including gene therapy, messenger RNA (mRNA) therapies, enzyme replacement therapies, substrate reduction therapies, pharmacologic treatments, and other novel approaches for rare diseases. Through these studies, our patients often have access to emerging therapies before they become widely available.

Academic Leadership

Our faculty is actively engaged in advancing the field of medical genetics through clinical care, education, research, and professional service. Members of our division have presented their work at national and international meetings, including the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (SIMD), and other professional conferences.

Our division also maintains a strong presence in professional organizations. Our Lead Genetic Counselor currently serves as President of the Florida Association of Genetic Counselors (FLAGC), while another member of our genetic counseling team serves as FLAGC Secretary, reflecting our commitment to leadership and service within the genetics community.

Through excellence in patient care, education, research, and statewide collaboration, the USF Health Division of Genetics and Metabolism remains dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by genetic disorders while advancing the practice of genomic medicine.