| Stony Brook's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Team has been at the forefront of the multidisciplinary team approach to cancer. With the highest patient satisfaction scores at the Medical Center, it has become a model for other departments. Since the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program began in 1991, the team has treated more than 500 children with malignant tumors. In addition, more than 50 percent of the children in Suffolk County with childhood tumors were treated at Stony Brook, two-thirds of whom were enrolled in clinical trials and other investigational therapies. Stony Brook's rate of clinical trial participation is equal to or greater than the national rate, and its disease-specific cure rates remain at or above the national benchmarks for major childhood cancers such as acute leukemia, brain tumors, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumors of the kidney, and bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Pediatric Medical Hematology/Oncology- Robert I. Parker, MD, Team Leader, Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- M. Yasar Celiker, MD
- Edward L. Chan, MD
- Laura Hogan, MD
- Devina Prakash, MD
- Debra Giugliano, RN, CPNP, CPON
- Jeanne Greenfield, RN, CPNP, CPON
- Rosemary A. Mahan, RN, CPNP, CPON
- Maria Narine, RN, CPNP, CPON
- Jeanne Gaspard, RN, MSN, OCN, NEA-BC, Assistant Director of Nursing, Outpatient Nursing
- Joanne Camarada, RN, Director, Pediatric Oncology Outpatient Nursing
- Patricia Losquadro, RN
- Jeralyn Sigwart RN, MS, PNP, CNS, Assistant Director of Nursing, Department of Pediatrics and Child Life
Pediatric SurgeryPediatric NeurosurgeryPathologyPediatric RadiologyRadiation OncologyChild Life Specialists- Paulette Walter, MA, CCLS
- Lauren Sharaby, CLS
- Michael Attard, CCLS
Support Services- Nicole Gutman, MS, Coordinator, School Re-Entry Program
- Sharon Kern, Authorization Specialist
Stony Brook ‘s Children’s Hospital offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up services for children with cancer, including more than two dozen clinical divisions devoted specifically to the needs of children, including Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Genetics, Pediatric Nephrology, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Radiation Oncology and Pediatric Surgery. The inpatient Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit provides inpatient care on a 9-bed department to children with cancer or blood diseases. - Program Expansion. This past year, a multidisciplinary team of physicians and nurses, under the leadership of M. Yasar Celiker, MD, was established to oversee the often complex treatment of children with brain tumors. This Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Team includes representatives from pediatric oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and nursing. The care and ongoing medical needs of all children with brain tumors are discussed in this forum in order to provide optimum coordination and treatment.
- Professional Affiliations. All of the team's pediatric surgeons, radiation oncologists, and pediatric oncologists are certified in their specialty and members of the prestigious Children's Oncology Group. Each of the program's nurse practitioners is chemotherapy certified by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON, CPON certified).
- Laboratory Certification. The Cytogenetics Laboratory is certified by the Children's Oncology Group for the analysis of chromosomal abnormalities in childhood leukemia. Through this lab, state-of-the-art molecular genetic and chromosomal studies are available to Stony Brook physicians to assist in disease diagnosis and the identification of appropriate treatments.
- The Late Effects/Long-Term Follow-Up Program is being developed to meet the ongoing needs and monitor the health status of children who have completed cancer therapy as they move into and through their adult years. It is well recognized that survivors of childhood cancer encounter difficulties of both medical and social nature. Under the direction of Laura Hogan, MD, the program is being designed to recognize those needs early and intervene to minimize their impact on adult life. It will employ national standards for follow-up of childhood cancer survivors.
The Sunrise Fund and the Programs It SupportsThe Sunrise Fund was launched in 1999, as a grassroots effort by parents determined to improve childhood cancer survival. Their mission, to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to raise money to support hospital-based cancer services, innovative child and family programs, and research surrounding the causes of cancer and new treatments, continues to this day. The supplemental programs, which go beyond standard healthcare, were implemented to answer a need or improve the quality of life for the pediatric patient. While each of the programs begin within the Medical Center, they all continue once the child leaves the hospital and re-enters his or her community, throughout Long Island. One of these important services is the School Re-Entry Program, offered to all school districts on Long Island free of charge. It has received both regional and national recognition for its excellence in helping children transition back to school. For more information, call (631) 444-7521. Play Fit, Stay Fit!, a comprehensive wellness program for pediatric cancer survivors and their families, meets twice a week for 12 weeks, and one session is offered each fall and spring. The program is open to child survivors of cancer and children with blood disorders between the ages of 4 and 18 and is free for the entire family. Participants engage in fun, group activities designed to improve endurance, strength, coordination, and overall confidence. For more information, call (631) 444-6169. The Living in Love Palliative Care and Bereavement Program was established to meet the needs of children diagnosed with life limiting cancer and their families. The focus is to promote comfort care while maximizing quality of life. Support is extended to the families during palliative care and continues throughout bereavement. Living in Love's mission is to relieve or minimize the physical, emotional, psychological pain and suffering of children diagnosed with life threatening illnesses and their families through palliative, end of life and bereavement care. The program's interdisciplinary team members provide comprehensive, compassionate quality care, sensitive to the cultural and spiritual diversity of the families. In collaboration with Stony Brook University Athletics and school districts in the community, the pediatric hematology/oncology team provides a social program, Play It Forward, for pediatric patients while they are receiving treatment at the Cancer Center. Student–athletes interact, read, play, and give the children their undivided attention on days when they are receiving treatment. These encounters help ease the burden of treatment for the children and their parents and provide the student-athletes with a strong sense of giving back. The “Rising Stars” Talent Show and Art Exhibit is held annually to celebrate the lives of our pediatric patients. This forum provides an opportunity to promote a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and self-confidence among these children. Siblings, who are also effected by the child’s illness, are recognized for their involvement. “Rising Stars” allows children to express themselves through theater and art. Support Services Support services include Our Little Heroes, a parent support network, and which is open to all Suffolk County families, regardless of where they receive treatment. Educational Award All graduates of the Pediatric Oncology Program at Stony Brook University Medical Center who are pursuing post High School education or training are eligible to receive the Daniel Brooks Memorial Educational Award for Students with Cancer. This Award was established in memory of Dan Brooks, who completed treatment for leukemia at Stony Brook, then went on to obtain his degree in Special Education. Sadly, Dan’s life was cut tragically short in a motor vehicle accident. His spirit, dedication to education, and children with cancer, prevail through this program. Quality of Life Initiatives Because comfort and quality of life are so important to patients with cancer, particularly children, the department continually seeks ways to improve both. “Splashes of Hope,” colorful sea-themed murals, recently were installed in clinical exam rooms, chemotherapy infusion areas, and in the waiting area to help the children to relax. This was funded by a grant from the Laurence W. Levine Foundation, which selected Stony Brook for the project, along with an additional grant secured by New York State Senator John Flanagan (R-East Northport). In addition, Sunrise Day Camp, a day camp dedicated to children with cancer, started “Sunrise on Wheels” in which hospital volunteers bring a piece of the day camp experience to children in the Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology outpatient clinic while awaiting treatment. Camp Adventure, a sleep-over camp, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is for children with cancer and their siblings. Typically, 30 to 40 percent of all children who attend this camp annually come from Stony Brook. Several of the camp counselors are "graduates" of the Stony Brook program. Staff members are regular volunteers at the camp, including both RNs and NPs who serve as medical support to ensure that all children continue to receive their medications during camp week. Dr. Robert Parker is the consulting oncologist for the camp and a regular on-site volunteer. In addition, Stony Brook University Medical Center is the facility identified for patient transport in the case of a serious illness or the need for more intensive diagnostic tests. Stony Brook University Medical Center offers patients and families many resources to help them learn about and cope with all aspects of cancer and its treatment. Ask the Expert Library Cancer Helpline Cancer Liaison Physician Chaplaincy Services Child Life Services Community Outreach and Education Finance Questions Patient Advocacy Patient Navigators Preoperative Education Publications Social Work Support Groups For more information on our general patient services at Stony Brook, see For Patients and Visitors. Stony Brook participates in a broad range of cancer clinical trials and basic research. All of the team’s pediatric surgeons, radiation oncologists, and pediatric oncologists are members of the prestigious Children’s Oncology Group. Laboratory research includes investigating the mechanism of tumorigenesis for neuroblastomas and brain tumors; studying the late effects of cancer therapy, focusing on the development of bone mineral loss during therapy (this study encompasses one of the largest groups of such children treated for childhood cancer); and studying children with bone marrow failure diseases such as Fanconi anemia. |
