The Genesis Foundation for Children has announced a gift of $1,160,000 to Mass General for Children (MGfC) to expand wraparound care for patients with rare genetic conditions and their families. The support provided by the Foundation established the Murray Feingold Coordinated Genetics Service (the Feingold Service) as part of Mass General’s Division of Medical Genetics and Metabolism.
The Foundation’s support will provide critical resources that enable the program to extend its enhanced, in-depth model of care to families in need. These services include everything from testing and diagnosis to establishment of treatment plans and coordination with subspeciality services, to social needs support and follow up care.
The Feingold Service is named in memory of Dr. Murray Feingold, a prominent pediatrician and geneticist and founder of the Genesis Foundation for Children.
“Core to our mission is the Feingold Model of Coordinated Care, which ensures individualized, enhanced care for pediatric patients with rare conditions and their families,” said Matthew Hoffman, President of the Genesis Foundation for Children. “We are confident that this contribution to Mass General for Children will help make significant strides towards ensuring that these patients get the exceptional care they need, from diagnosis through adulthood, to better their lives and ease the difficulties of their caregivers.”
The newly launched program is being overseen by Dr. David Sweetser, chief of the Division of Medical Genetics and Metabolism at MGfC, along with Dr. Catherine Nowak, the newly appointed Clinical Director of the division. In addition, the gift aims to add vital roles to the care team to meet the specific needs of patients, including a genetic counseling assistant and social worker.
“Many of our patients have complex medical needs and benefit greatly from coordination of care with subspecialty services, schools, and therapy services,” explained Dr. David Sweetser. “We cannot meet the needs of these patients and their families without philanthropic support. We are excited that the Genesis Foundation chose to honor Dr. Murray Feingold’s extraordinary legacy with this gift.”
Dr. Catherine Nowak, who served as Clinical Director of The Feingold Center for Children prior to the transition to MGfC, will continue to provide genetic counselling and diagnostic services to both new and existing patients and families. “I am thrilled with our new endeavor at Mass General for Children,” says Dr. Nowak. The Genetic clinicians here are devoted to their patients and it’s frustrating when budgetary constraints create roadblocks to providing the wrap around care that these patients and families so need and deserve. The Feingold Service will smooth the path for so many more New England area families.”
This initial contribution will support services through 2025, with both the Genesis Foundation and MGfC committed to extending this model of care for patients with rare conditions well into the future.
For over 40 years, The Genesis Foundation has provided children born with a rare disease or genetic disorder, and their families, access to compassionate, wraparound care. Together with Mass General for Children, and other specialized, targeted providers, we help thousands of people yearly obtain answers, effective diagnosis and treatment, and peace of mind.