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The Harvey Institute for Human Genetics
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Providing diagnostic capabilities, access to the latest testing, counseling, education, and management
The team members of The Harvey Institute for Human Genetics provide expertise in reproductive, clinical, pediatric, adult, and cancer genetics. The staff includes three physicians, board-certified in their primary specialty and genetics, as well as three board-certified genetic counselors. The registered diagnostic medical sonographers are uniformly certified in their field. Experienced office staff members are able to assist in scheduling appointments, answering insurance questions and collecting records prior to visits when needed. The staff also makes genetic education available, not only to patients, families and health care professionals but also to the community.
All doctoral-level staff members of the Institute are accredited in their respective specialties and sub-specialties by the American Boards of Medical Genetics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and/or Pediatrics. Genetic counselors are accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
Matthew Fairchild, MGC, CGC
Matthew Nikzad, MGC, LCGC
Matthew Nikzad received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Cell Biology/Molecular Genetics and Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and he received his Master’s in Genetic Counseling degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is a board-certified genetic counselor and licensed to practice in the state of Maryland. He specializes in cancer genetic counseling but routinely sees general adult genetics indications as well. He helps patients understand and adapt to the impact of their genetics on their healthcare. He also volunteers his time to play the pianos at GBMC!
Our Services
The Harvey Genetic institute offers a wide range of genetic services, including:
- Prenatal Diagnostic Center
The prenatal diagnostic center offers genetic counseling, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, first trimester screening, and complete ultrasound evaluation of at-risk pregnancies. - Pediatric Genetics
Our pediatric genetics team specializes in the diagnosis and management of children born with birth defects, developmental disabilities and/or genetic disorders from the newborn period through adulthood. Services are available on an in-patient or out-patient basis. - Adult Genetics
Our adult genetics team specializes in the diagnosis and management of adults with birth defects, developmental disabilities and/or genetic disorders including those present at birth and adult-onset. - Hereditary Cancer Genetics
Our hereditary cancer genetics program offers risk assessment, genetic testing, and genetic counseling to individuals at risk for hereditary cancer conditions and/or hereditary risk factors for cancer.
Genetic Counseling
What is a Genetic Counselor?
A genetic counselor is a health professional with specialized training in medical genetics and counseling, often in the form of a master's degree. Our counselors are certified through the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
Genetic counselors provide patients and their families with information about inherited conditions to aid in their understanding of a genetic condition. In addition, genetic counselors are often a resource for families as they cope with the diagnosis and with living with a genetic condition.
What Happens During a Genetic Counseling Visit?
The genetic counselor generally begins the session by obtaining relevant family, pregnancy and medical histories, concentrating on the patient's questions and concerns. The clinician may also:
- Provide medical information about the condition(s) in question
- Describe patterns of inheritance and assess risks to other family members
- Discuss appropriate genetic testing
- Identify options for prenatal diagnosis, preconceptual or presymptomatic testing
- Provide the family with information about educational and supportive resources
- Talk with the family about the emotional, psychological and social consequences of a genetic condition
Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Risk
Watch a short video that explains the benefits and risks of Genetic Testing for cancer risk
Health Insurance
As a medical practice of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, the Harvey Institute accepts all health insurances with which GBMC maintains contracts and complies with all GBMC financial policies.
Most health insurances cover outpatient genetics consultations as well as many forms of genetic testing. Co-payments are at the specialist rate. Inpatient genetics consults are covered under the terms of the patient's hospitalization insurance.
We encourage our patients to confirm their health insurance company's requirements before seeking outpatient genetic services. In addition to the large number of insurance products and the different varieties of coverage they offer, health insurance companies frequently review and update their policies. Our administrative staff will be happy to assist you by providing information (such as procedure codes), which your insurance company may need to determine your coverage for the services you are seeking.
View a list of accepted insurance plans
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