About Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital

Specialized Care for Our Littlest Patients

The best care for children is care designed only for children.  The pediatric specialists at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital have dedicated their lives to delivering the specialized care kids and families need and depend on, utilizing technology specially designed to meet the needs of our most precious patients.

Genetics and Genetic Counseling

Providing You the Information You Need to Make the Best Possible Decisions

The Genetics Service is a leader in clinical genetics in the metropolitan area and has been in existence for more than 30 years, offering genetic services and testing for both children and adults. All patients are seen by board-certified medical geneticists and/or genetic counselors in the areas of preconception/prenatal, cancer, pediatric, and adult genetics. The Genetics Service is also a NJ Department of Health-designed newborn screening follow-up center. Patients can also benefit from the expertise of the physicians and clinical experts of Hackensack University Medical Center if any further treatment is required.

Patients are evaluated for risk assessment, testing, and management, as well as supportive counseling. Our goal is to improve the lives of our patients by providing them with the important information they need to make the best possible decisions. More than one session may be required. The initial session includes a review of the patient’s medical history as well as three generational family history. Clinical impressions and testing recommendations will be discussed.  Laboratory tests such as blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies (x rays, CT scans, MRI) or EKG may be necessary. Referrals may be made to other specialists. Follow up appointments are scheduled to review the results of the testing as needed. If a diagnosis is made, medical management recommendations are made.

Our Team

Our staff includes board certified physicians, board certified/eligible genetic counselors and a registered dietitian. Social workers and child life therapists are available as needed as well.

Genetic Counselors

Genetic Counselors have a master’s degree in genetic counseling and are certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and licensed in the state of New Jersey.

Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital

Hackensack Meridian Health Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive medical and surgical pediatric care in more than 30 sub-specialties, all integrated within a state-of–the-art child and family-focused facility. The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital is designated by the State of New Jersey as a children’s hospital. It is also one of a select group designated a full institutional member of the Children’s Hospital Association.  This designation honors the contributions of a dedicated team of health care professionals, team members and volunteers who have made the children’s hospital a world-class healing environment for children and their families for many years.  More significantly, this designation builds on that commitment of care for children that Hackensack University Medical Center has always provided.  The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital received a Top 50 national ranking in Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-18 Best Children’s Hospitals.  The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital  includes the Children’s Cancer Institute and Pediatric Emergency Department and offers the following services, programs and sub-specialties: The Audrey Hepburn Children’s House – a state-designated Regional Diagnostic Center for Child Abuse and Neglect serving Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties; Adolescent Medicine; Audiology: Blood and Marrow Transplantation (the only one in New Jersey); Cardiology; Community and CPR training; Child Life Services; Center for Pain and Palliative Care; Day Accommodation Suite; Dermatology; Gastroenterology and Nutrition; Genetics: Healthy Futures – Pediatric Weight Management; Hospitalists; Infectious Diseases; Inpatient Care Unites, Institute for Child Development; JUDY Center for Down Syndrome; Molly Center for Children with Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); Nephrology; Neurology; Otolaryngology; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; Pediatric Surgery; Pulmonology; Rheumatology; Social Work; and the Steven and Richard Bader Immunological Institute. To learn more, visit https://www.hackensackumc.org/services/pediatrics/.