Isa J. Houwink, M.D., Ph.D.

Elisa J.F. Houwink, M.D., Ph.D., is a Consultant with a joint appointment in the Department of Family Medicine and the Department of Clinical Genomics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Houwink provides primary care that integrates clinical genomics into everyday practice. Her work focuses on identifying inherited and rare conditions early and using personalized medicine — including pharmacogenomics — to improve medication safety and preventive care for individuals and families.

Dr. Houwink combines comprehensive family medicine with advanced genetic risk assessment, offering continuity of care that bridges traditional primary care and precision medicine.

She believes in caring for the whole patient and their family: using genetics and personalized medicine not as an add-on, but as a practical tool woven into routine care, helping people get ahead of disease before it becomes a crisis.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Houwink provides whole-person care that integrates family medicine and genomics, with a focus on prevention and personalized treatment. Her clinical interests include:

• Familial hypercholesterolemia and genetic cardiovascular risk: Assessment, early detection, and preventive strategies to reduce inherited heart disease risk
• Hemoglobinopathies: Screening and counseling for conditions such as sickle cell trait/disease and thalassemia within primary care
• Pharmacogenomic safety: Testing and interpretation for drug-gene interactions involving psychiatric medications, statins, and other commonly prescribed drugs
• Rare and undiagnosed genetic conditions: Integration of genomic insights into primary care evaluation and follow-up
• Genetic risk assessment: Family-history-based screening and cascade testing to help relatives understand and reduce disease risk
• Pharmacogenomic-guided prescribing: Applying genomic data to optimize medication choice and dosing for patient safety
• Comprehensive family medicine: Preventive and chronic care integrated with clinical genomics consultation and contraceptive services including Nexplanon placement

Research and expertise

Dr. Houwink is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Her research centers on the practical implementation of genomics and pharmacogenomics in primary care, including family-based cascade testing for cardiovascular and cancer risk, hemoglobinopathy screening strategies, and AI-supported identification of rare genetic conditions. She has presented extensively at North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) meetings on topics such as prescribing safety, genetic risk stratification, and early diagnosis of inherited conditions. Her work reflects a commitment to education, quality improvement, and innovation to make precision medicine accessible in everyday practice.

Personal note

Dr. Houwink is passionate about living an active lifestyle and finds balance through rowing, triathlon training, yoga, and outdoor adventures with her husband, Bas. She deeply values family time with her two children, Marieke and Joppe, and is committed to giving back through volunteer initiatives supporting community health and well-being.