(800) 322-5014
The staff is supervised by Dr. Catherine Nowak, who has an extensive background in pediatric and clinical genetics. Primary contact with the public is with TeratogenA drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, causing birth defects. Information Specialists who have extensive, on-going training in teratology, embryology, epidemiology, infectious disease, and occupational and environmental health.
Catherine Bearce Nowak MD, Director
Dr. Catherine Nowak is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in Biology and Psychology. She received her medical degree from McGill University. Following her pediatric internship and residency at University of Massachusetts Medical Center, she completed a fellowship in Clinical Genetics and Birth Defects at the National Birth Defects Center with Dr. Feingold. She served in the position of clinical geneticist at the National Birth Defects Center (now known as The Feingold Center for Children) and went on to become the Chief of the Genetics division at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Nowak returned to The Feingold Center in 2006. She is board certified both in Pediatrics and in Clinical Genetics. She is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard School of Medicine and lectures extensively in community hospitals about topics in genetics.
Patricia Markland Cole, MPH., Program Coordinator
Patricia Cole obtained her BS degree in Biology from Simmons College in Boston, MA. She obtained her MPH in Maternal and Child Health from Boston University School of Public Health. She provides oversight for the day-to-day functions of the Infoline and has conducted seminars for graduate students and other professionals. She provides counseling service to the public and clinicians who call the InfoLine.
Jessica L. Douglas, MS, LGC Consulting Genetics Counselor
Ms. Douglas has a Masters in Genetic Counseling from Brandeis University. She is board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counselors. She has eleven years of experience in the field of genetics and has been practicing in the field of genetic counseling since 2004. Ms. Douglas is available to help patients and their families with their genetic questions and help facilitate testing and support. She provides genetic counseling to adults regarding personal and family medical histories as well as pre-conceptual and pre-natal concerns.