About ITIS
What is ITIS?
The Illinois Teratogen Information Service (ITIS) is free statewide service that is financially supported by the Illinois Department of Public Health. ITIS provides information regarding all types of exposures during pregnancy, and is available to women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, fathers, physicians, and other health care providers in the State of Illinois.
ITIS is coordinated by a Certified Genetic Counselor/teratogen information specialist and is directed by a Board Certified Geneticist. Using a variety of resources, the staff collects, analyzes, and distributes information on known and/or potential teratogens. The information is based on current scientific data and the counseling is provided in a non-judgemental manner.
ITIS belongs to a group called The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS). OTIS is an organization that serves to provide education, to conduct relevant research, and to support teratology information services throughout North America.
Our Goals:
- To provide counseling to patients and health care professionals about exposures related to pregnancy and breastfeeding, so they are able to make informed treatment choices.
- To reduce risks and decrease the number of preventable birth defects by educating the public and health care professionals about specific agents of concern.
- To empower patients with accurate information about the true risks of an exposure, thereby preventing unnecessary terminations of wanted pregnancies.
ITIS Staff
CHRISTINA L. ALAMILLO, M.S., C.G.C. is a Certified Genetic Counselor
and coordinator of the Illinois Teratogen Information Service. She received a
Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a concentration in medicine from
the University of Michigan. Subsequently, she received a Master of Science degree
in genetic counseling from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.
Christina is certified through the American Board of Genetic Counseling and is
a licensed genetic counselor in the State of Illinois. She is also the supervisor
of the Teratogen rotation for the Northwestern University Graduate Program in
Genetic Counseling. Prior to her current position, she worked as a genetic
counselor in various prenatal settings, including the Department of Maternal
Fetal Medicine at the University of Illinois.
email: itis@fetal-exposure.org
EUGENE PERGAMENT, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.M.G. is a Board Certified Medical Geneticist and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University, a Doctor of Philosophy degree in genetics from Purdue University, and a Medical Degree from the University of Chicago. Dr. Pergament is certified in clinical genetics and cytogenetics by the American Board of Medical Genetics and is a founding member of the American College of Medical Genetics. He serves on numerous local, regional, and national committees and is a past member of the Executive Board of the Organization for Teratogen Information Services.
ITIS Address
Illinois Teratogen Information Service680 North Lake Shore Drive
Suite 1230
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 252-4847 or (312) 981-4354