Erica Schindewolf, MS, LCGC, is a prenatal genetic counselor and the team lead for the genetic counselors in the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Genetic counselors are master's trained board-certified clinicians who specifically practice in genetics. CHOP’s dedicated team of prenatal genetic counselors help families navigate genetic screening and testing during their care in the CFDT and are trained in communicating this information in a way that feels manageable for each individual family.
“To me, genetics is the most interesting field in the world,” says Schindewolf. “It touches all aspects of medicine and basic science and reminds us that we are all connected by this incredibly complicated set of instructions that we still have so much to learn about. I feel the greatest impact that I can have in this field is helping families make sense of this information as it pertains to their unique situation.”
Schindewolf’s favorite part of her role is empowering others. “I feel very fortunate to work with each of our families as they navigate prenatal diagnosis. It is truly the honor of my life to help them understand their child’s diagnosis and genetic testing options,” she adds.
As team lead for all genetic counselors within the CFDT, Schindewolf takes great pride in the group she works with. “The genetic counselors within the CFDT are an amazingly talented team of kind, intelligent leaders,” she says. “It’s a privilege to be able to aid in their professional development as we continue to advocate for the families in our care.”
Genetic testing can feel overwhelming. Schindewolf wants families to know they have a team of people behind them to answer any and all questions, whenever they come up. She encourages patient families to lean on the team of experts caring for them at every stage of the process.
In addition to her leadership role in the CFDT, Schindewolf also serves as genetic counselor discipline director for CHOP’s Leadership in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND) Fellowship, and course director of the Reproductive and Developmental Genetics course at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor (LCGC)
BS in Biology and Psychology - Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
MS in Genetic Counseling - Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Genetic Counselor Specialist
Genetic Counselor Discipline Director, LEND
Team Lead, Genetic Counselors, Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment
The Association of Fetal Thymus Size With Subsequent T Cell Counts in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Dou Y, Schindewolf E, Crowley TB, McGinn DM, Moldenhauer JS, Coleman BG, Oliver ER, Sullivan KE. J Clinical Immunol. 2020 Jun 25. doi: 10.1007/s10875-020-00807-5. Online ahead of print.
Schindewolf E., Moldenhauer JS., (2020). Genetic counseling for fetal gastrointestinal anomalies. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Apr;32(2):134-139. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000613. PMID:32039977
Pritchard AB, Grand K, Hopkins M., Schindewolf E., Dugoff L, Bjoh, E. (2020). What not to expect when you’re expecting: Unusual cases of placental mosaicism detected on non-invasive prenatal screening. Eur J Med Genet. 2020 Feb 18:103895. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.103895.
Sheppard SE, Smith A, Grand K, Pogoriler J, Rubin AI, Schindewolf E, Fitzgerald MP, Moldenhauer J, Laje P, Peranteau W, Bhoj E, McMahon P, Castelo-Soccio L.(2020). Further delineation of the phenotypic spectrum of nevus comedonicus syndrome to include congenital pulmonary airway malformation of the lung and aneurysm. Am J Med Genet A. 2020 Jan 21. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61490. PMID:31961058
Lalonde, E., Ebrahimzadeh, J., Rafferty, K., Richards-Yutz, J., Grant, R, Toorens, E., Rosado,J., Schindewolf E., et al (2019). Molecular diagnosis of somatic overgrowth conditions: A single-center experience. Molecular Genetics and Genomic medicine https;//doi.org.10.1002.mgg3.536
Danzer, E., Hoffman, C., Miller J., Agostino J, Schindewolf E., et al, Autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental delays in children with giant omphalocele”. Journal of Pediatric Surgery; 2019.
Cabet S, Putoux A, Buenerd A, Gueneau L, Reymond A, Thia EWH, Lai AHM, Schindewolf EM, Sanlaville D, Lesca G, Guibaud L. (2020). Prenatal cerebral imaging features a new syndromic entity related to KIAA1109 pathogenic variants mimicking tubulinopathy. Prenat Diagn. 2020 Jan;40(2):276-281. doi: 10.1002/pd.5589. Epub 2019 Dec 5. PMID:31736083
Lalonde E, Ebrahimzadeh J, Rafferty K, Richards-Yutz J, Grant R, Toorens E, Marie Rosado J, Schindewolf E, Ganguly T, Kalish JM, Deardorff MA, Ganguly A. Molecular diagnosis of somatic overgrowth conditions: A single-center experience. Mol Genet Genomic Med. 2019 Feb 13. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.536. [Epub ahead of print]
Campbell IM, Sheppard SE, Crowley TB, McGinn DE, Bailey A, McGinn MJ, Unolt M, Homans JF, Chen EY, Salmons HI, Gaynor JW, Goldmuntz E, Jackson OA2, Katz LE, Mascarenhas MR, Deeney VFX, Castelein RM, Zur KB, Elden L, Kallish S, Kolon TF, Hopkins SE, Chadehumbe MA, Lambert MP, Forbes BJ, Moldenhauer JS, Schindewolf EM1, Solot CB, Moss EM, Gur RE, Sullivan KE, Emanuel BS, Zackai EH, McDonald-McGinn DM. What is new with 22q? An update from the 22q and You Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Am J Med Genet A. 2018 Oct;176(10):2058-2069. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.40637.
Schindewolf E, Khalek N, Johnson MP, Gebb J, Coleman B, Crowley TB, Zackai EH, McDonald-McGinn DM, Moldenhauer JS. Expanding the fetal phenotype: Prenatal sonographic findings and perinatal outcomes in a cohort of patients with a confirmed 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Am J Med Genet A. 2018 Jul 28. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38665. [Epub ahead of print]
Schindewolf, E.M., Conway L., Chadwick S.L. (2015). “Who is the deciding factor?” Analysis of parental perspectives regarding discontinuation of elaprase in children with MPS II. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 114, S104.
Principe GF, Cherson M, DiPuppo J, Schindewolf E. Children's natural conversations following exposure to a rumor: linkages to later false reports.
J Exp Child Psychol. 2012 Nov;113(3):383-400.
Principe GF, Schindewolf E. Natural Conversations as a Source of False Memories in Children: Implications for the Testimony of Young Witnesses. Dev Rev. 2012 Sep;32(3):205-223.
Porcelan J, Schindewolf E, Storey K, King K, Hart K, Kohn, R. The effect of Vitamin E on the survival rate of unc-13 caenorhabditis elegans mutants under oxidative stress. Impulse: The Premier Journal for Undergraduate Publications in the Neurosciences, 2012, 1-8.
Schindewolf, E., Moldenhauer, J.S. (2022). Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Counseling. In: Mattei, P. (eds) Fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07524-7_2
Schindewolf E., “Prenatal Diagnosis in 22qq11.2- extracardiac manifestations” Presented at the Focus on the Fetus conference, November 2019; Philadelphia, PA.
Deprest, J, Schindewolf E “Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Genetic Testing” Presented at the 11th Annual Philadelphia Prenatal Conference June 2019, Philadelphia PA.
Schindewolf E., “Genetic testing in GI anomalies” Presented at the 11th annual Philadelphia Prenatal Conference, June 2019, Philadelphia PA.
Moldenhauer J., Schindewolf, E. “Expect the unexpected: interesting prenatal cases” Presented at the 11th annual Philadelphia Prenatal Conference, June 2019, Philadelphia PA.
Schindewolf E., Krahling, S, Moldenhauer J., “Clinical Utility of postmortem Whole exome sequencing in fetal cases of multiple congenital anomalies” Presented at the American College of Medical Genetics Meeting, April, 2019: Seattle, WA.
Schindewolf, E., Moldenhauer J., et al “Prenatal Diagnosis of severe manifestations of Kagami-Ogata Syndrome caused by paternal unipaternal disomy 14” Presented at the American College of Medical Genetics Meeting, April 2019; Seattle, WA.
Schindewolf, E., Kline L., Moldenhauer J., “Prenatal Diagnosis of Mosaic trisomy 20 in a fetus with structural anomalies: Cause for Concern for unnecessary worry?” Presented at the American College of Medical Genetics Meeting, April 2019; Seattle, WA.
Pritcard Barone, A., Grand K., Hopkins, M., Schindewolf, E., Dugoff, L., Bhoji, E., “What not to expect when you’re expecting: unusual cases of placental mosaicism detected on non-invasive prenatal screening” Presented at the Smith’s Human Genetics Conference, 2018.
Jones,. M., Schindewolf E., Valverde, K., Adams, S., Danzer E., Hedrick H., “Giant Omphalocele; what is the genetic association?” Presented at the Annual Education Conference for the National Society of Genetic Counselors; October 2018.
LaLonde, E., Ebrahimzadeh, J., Rafferty, K., Richards-Yutz, J., Grant R., Toorens E., Ganguly T., Schindewolf, E.,. Kalish J., Deardorff, M., Ganguly A., “Tissue and phenotypic heterogeneity in somatic overgrowth conditions” Presented at the American College of Medical Genetics Conference March 2018; Charlotte, NC.
Schindewolf, E., Khalek, N., Johnson, M., Gebb, J., Coleman, B., Moldenhauer, J., “PIEZO1 Mutations presenting at Non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis: a new disorder for your differential” Presented at the American College of Medical Genetics Conference March 2018; Charlotte, NS.
Schindewolf, E., Moldenhauer, J., Skraban, C., Coleman, V., Gebb, J., Medne, L., Krock, B., Khalek, N., “Recurrent Fryns Syndrome caused by pathogenic mutations in PIGN” Presented at the American College of Medical Genetics Conference March 2018; Charlotte, NC.
Schindewolf, E., Kahlish, J., Tarpinian, J., Conlin, L., Coleman, B., Hathaway, E., Moldenhauer, J., “Pearls of Wisdom: Prenatal Findings and neonatal course in an individual with Perlman Syndrome” Presented at the American College of Medical Genetics Conference March 2018; Charlotte NC.
Schindewolf, E., “The Clinical and Genetic Spectrum of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome”, Presented at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Conference, March 25th 2018; New York, NY.
Cole, J., Hertzog J., Moldenhauer J., Munson, D., Olsen E., Palmer L., Schindewolf E., "A Parent's Perspective when their baby dies at birth: a provider/parent perinatal palliative care panel" Presented at the PSI Perinatal Palliative Care conference, Philadelphia June 2017.
Ryan, E., Yates, C., Friedman B., Olney A., Caldwell K., Barbar R., Grahm A., Nelson Z., Musafri A., EllAkouri, K., Al-Mulla, M. Schindewolf E., et al " Whole Exome Sequencing in 129 Fetuses with Abnormal Ultrasound Findings." Presented at the 2017 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, March 21-25, Phoenix, AZ.
Schindewolf E, Khalek, N, Moldenaheur J, Johnson M., Waqar, L., Berger, K., Hedrick, H. “Evolving Understanding of Genetic Associations and Implications of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: One Center’s 20 year experience.” Presented at the 2017 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, March 21-25, Phoenix, AZ.
Schindewolf E, Khalek, N, Moldenaheur J, Johnson M., Waqar, L., Berger, K., Hedrick, H. “Evolving Understanding of Genetic Associations and Implications of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: One Center’s 20 year experience.” Presented at the 2017 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, March 21-25, Phoenix, AZ.
2018, Arcadia University Alumni Association 40 under 40 Award
2018-present, Scientist in Residence Grant Recipient Hatboro Horsham Education Foundation
2018, Invited Code Talker Nomination and Publication
2014, Tracy M. Gardner Excellence in Counseling Award
Beta Beta Beta National Biology Honors Society
Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology
Dean’s List; Distinguished Honors in Psychology
Graduated Cum Laude
2014-present, National Society of Genetic Counselors
- 2018-present, Webinar Subcommittee Chair