Genetics and
Maternal-Fetal
Medicine

Center for Genetics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Physicians and Staff

Keith Balderston, MD Dr. Balderston completed his fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at University of California at Irvine, and his obstetrics and gynecology residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. He earned his medical degree at OHSU as well, and his Bachelor of Science degree in biology cum laude at the University of Oregon. A three-time PAC-10 All-Academic Basketball Team Member, Dr. Balderston still ranks high in all time stats at the U of O. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Vern L. Katz, MD Dr. Katz completed his fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1986. He remained as faculty, serving as associate chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. His research interests include the effects of maternal stress, occupation, and exercise on pregnancy and pregnancy outcome. Dr. Katz's clinical interest include the interaction of maternal diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, with pregnancy physiology. He is also interested in the effects of bacterial and viral maternal disease during pregnancy. Dr. Katz has published over 150 studies and articles in peer-reviewed journals, and authored chapters in more than 15 academic texts. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Mary Carpenter, CNM, MS, FNP Mary has practiced as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Eugene since 1982. She completed her Bachelors Degree at the University of New Mexico, her Midwifery training at the University of Illinois, and her Nurse Practitioner program at OHSU. She is a member of the Governor's Task Force on Maternity Care Access, the Executive Committee of the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and has an appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor at OHSU.

Kathryn L. Murray, MS, CGC Kathryn graduated from Sarah Lawrence College: Human Genetics Program, 1986. She has been instrumental in bringing comprehensive genetic counseling to Eugene. She has been active in the System Ethics Committee of Providence Health & PeaceHealth Systems. Kathryn was the onsite principal investigator in the BRCA1 Predisposition Testing Program at Harvard's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. At the University of Michigan, she aided in the verification of genetic markers for the Huntington disease gene. Locally, Kathryn served on the board of directors for both the Emerald Chapter of the March of Dimes and in her professional organization's Northwest branch. She is certified by the National Boards of Genetic Counseling and Medical Genetics.

Laurinda Andrist, BS, RDMS, RDCS Laurinda Andris is a Sonographer certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) in the following: Obstetrics, Gynecology, Abdomen, Pediatric Echocardiography, and Adult Echocardiography. She is a board member of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers as the Director of the Western States Region, and Chair of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Legislative Committee. Ms. Andrist graduated cum laude in Diagnostic Ultrasound from Seattle University.