Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counseling

Lauren Brown provides counseling for a variety of hereditary cancer syndromes. She enjoys coming alongside patients to share meaningful and relevant genetic health information. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health. In her free time, Lauren enjoys biking and overlanding (a fusion of camping and off-roading).

Lauren Facchini provides counseling for a variety of hereditary cancer syndromes. She has a special interest in genitourinary malignancies and focuses on helping patients understand how genetic test results can impact their personal and family’s risk for disease. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health. 

Cynthia Handford has been a genetic counselor since 2007 and has worked in both clinical and laboratory settings. She has a special interest in hereditary cancer and enjoys helping patients and their families use genetic information to be proactive with their health. Cynthia is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling as well as the Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.

Everett Lally provides counseling for a variety of hereditary cancer syndromes. He has a special interest in cancer genetics with a focus on gastrointestinal diseases and prostate cancer. He is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health. 

Mercy Laurino is the Director of Fred Hutch’s Genetics and Prevention programs. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health. She is the 2016 recipient of the International Leader award from the National Society of Genetic Counselors and Past-President of the Professional Society of Genetic Counselors in Asia. She currently serves as Board Secretary for the Asia Pacific Society of Human Genetics.

Emily Maxwell provides counseling for a variety of hereditary cancer syndromes. She has completed her Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling in Boston, and is excited to be part of the oncology community in Seattle. She has a special interest in hereditary cancer and enjoys helping patients and their families use genetic information to navigate cancer prevention, treatment and surveillance. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health. 

Lorraine Naylor provides counseling to patients referred for a variety of inherited conditions. She has a special interest in cancer genetics, with a focus on gastrointestinal malignancies. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.

Katie Neimeyer provides counseling for a variety of hereditary cancer syndromes. She completed her training in genetic counseling and narrative medicine in New York City and is excited to work alongside patients in the Seattle area. She has a special interest in cancer genetics and working with Indigenous communities. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.

Britta Sjoding is a certified genetic counselor and primarily provides cancer genetic counseling service to our Fred Hutch community sites. Counseling patients regarding hereditary cancer syndromes since 2009, she is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.

Kari Thorsen provides counseling for various hereditary cancer syndromes. She completed her training in Boston and is thrilled to have returned to her hometown of Seattle and join the FHCC team. She enjoys genetic counseling because it aims to help patients, and their families, understand how cancer genetics and testing can impact their risk. Kari is particularly interested in bettering genetic testing access and education to adoptee communities.