The LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans Center of Excellence Center for Molecular and Human Genetics was established in 1991 with Robert Elston, PhD, as Director. Several organizational and planning meetings were held over the next two years.

In 1994, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans Schools, Departments, and Centers of Excellence agreed to contribute funding to the Center for Molecular and Human Genetics and Ms. Judy LaBorde was appointed coordinator for the Center. With Dr. Elston’s departure from LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans in June, 1995, Bronya Keats, PhD, was appointed Acting Director by Dean Robert Daniels.

With a limited budget the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans Center of Excellence Center for Molecular and Human Genetics has established its identity through the publication of the newsletter, "Linkage", which is distributed to over 12,000 faculty, staff, alumni, political and community leaders, private foundations, and families with genetic disorders throughout the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, the State, and the Nation. Issues of the newsletter have focused on Friedreich ataxia, Down syndrome, and Cancer.

The Genetics Center has also sponsored a monthly seminar series with outstanding speakers from both LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans and other institutions. The seminars are designed to attract a broad audience and are always well attended.

In addition to the newsletter, community outreach programs have led to the establishment of ties with several Louisiana High Schools, including University High School in Baton Rouge and Lafayette High School. Center members also donate their time to free "on the road" clinics for organizations such as the National Ataxia Foundation, and they give talks on genetics to many community groups.

Much of the genetic research and clinical service at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans involves the people of Acadiana. The Genetics Center has obtained funding to establish the Center for Acadiana Genetics and Hereditary Health Care which focuses on studies of genetic diseases and provision of state-of-the-art health care to the people of Louisiana.  Community health screenings have been held in Lafayette, Ville Platte, Abbeville, Breaux Bridge, Marksville, Houma, Patterson and Franklin, Louisiana. 

A major initiative is education at all levels:  public education, K-12 education, special training for health care workers, workshop and seminars for teachers, ministers and community leaders.  Since 1999, three major public forums have been held  and these have attracted more than 1,000 people from the community.  These forums were done in collaboration with McNeese State University, Nicholls State University and the LSU School of Dentistry. 

Another major initiative is a website for the consumer entitled "Genetics and Louisiana Families" can be found at:  http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/genetics_center/louisiana/ 

For more information on the Center for Acadiana and Hereditary Health Care contact jlabor@lsuhsc.edu.