High-Risk Genetics Clinic Earns Beautiful Bakersfield Award
When it comes to preventing cancer, knowledge can be one of the most powerful tools available.
That commitment to education, prevention and proactive care recently earned the Adventist Health High-Risk Genetics Clinic in Bakersfield the 2026 Beautiful Bakersfield Award in the Health and Wellness category. The award, presented by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber, recognizes organizations that go beyond their everyday activities to promote healthy living through education, prevention, and medical services.
A first-of-its-kind clinic in Kern County
As the first and only clinic of its kind in Kern County, the Adventist Health High-Risk Genetics Clinic helps individuals and families better understand their inherited risk for cancer, empowering them to take action before disease develops or progresses. The clinic provides comprehensive genetic risk assessments for people with a personal or strong family history of hereditary cancers, including breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, and other cancers.
“This recognition reflects the incredible work of our team and our shared commitment to helping patients make informed decisions about their health,” said Jesus Macanas, DNP, family medicine provider specializing in genetics at Adventist Health. “By expanding access to genetic testing and counseling in the Central Valley, we are giving families the opportunity to better understand their risks, pursue earlier screenings, and take proactive steps that can improve outcomes.”
Meeting a growing community need
Since opening in partnership with Adventist Health’s AIS Cancer Center, the clinic has become an important resource for the community. In 2025 alone, the High-Risk Genetics Clinic cared for 501 unique patients, including 391 Bakersfield residents. The clinic’s specialized team includes a genetics-focused nurse practitioner, certified genetics registered nurse, medical assistant, and patient care coordinator who work together to provide personalized care and support.
More than genetic testing
The clinic’s services extend far beyond genetic testing. Patients receive genetic counseling, high-risk care management, and guidance from an experienced nurse navigator who helps coordinate screenings, preventive strategies, and follow-up care. For individuals currently undergoing cancer treatment, genetic testing can also help inform treatment decisions and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Protecting future generations
For many families, the impact reaches across generations. When an inherited genetic mutation is identified, close family members can also be tested, allowing them to better understand their own risk and take preventive action. This proactive approach can be especially important for cancers that often develop without early warning signs, such as pancreatic cancer.
“Genetic testing allows us to identify people who may be at higher risk long before symptoms appear,” Macanas said. “When we understand those risks, we can develop personalized plans for screening, prevention and treatment that help people live healthier, longer lives.”
Inspiring health, wholeness, and hope
The Beautiful Bakersfield Award highlights the clinic’s role in advancing health and wellness throughout Kern County by making specialized genetic services more accessible. Through education, early detection, and compassionate care, the High-Risk Genetics Clinic is helping transform how individuals and families understand and manage cancer risk.
The recognition also reflects Adventist Health’s mission to inspire health, wholeness and hope by bringing innovative healthcare services to the communities it serves. As awareness of hereditary cancer risk continues to grow, the clinic remains committed to helping more families access the knowledge and resources they need to take charge of their health.
For more information about the Adventist Health High-Risk Genetics Clinic or to schedule an appointment, call 661-863-2085.
