Located in the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Lutheran Hospital, the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic has provided care for children with cancer and a wide range of blood disorders for more than 30 years and is the only clinic in northeastern Indiana with a dedicated team specially trained to care for the special needs of these children.
The treatment team consists of physicians, nurses, child-life specialists and social workers. Dennis O'Brien, MD and Lubna Ahmed, MD are specially trained to diagnose and treat childhood cancer and blood disorders. He is a member of the Children's Oncology Group and works closely with Riley Hospital for Children, providing children in this area with access to the latest available treatments. The nurses are accredited through the Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Nursing to administer biotherapy and chemotherapy. Child- Life Specialists help patients and their siblings pass the long hours spent in the clinic by offering games and toys and organizing various activities. The social workers help connect families with local and state resources and assist families through the insurance maze.
The clinic provides outpatient and inpatient chemotherapy, blood and platelet transfusions and a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Procedures, such as lumbar punctures and bone marrow tests, are performed with sedation provided by anesthesiologists, ensuring a pain-free experience. Large, private rooms and video games and a playroom are available for children who need long chemotherapy infusions.
Services are also available for children with sickle cell anemia and thalassemias. The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic provides the best in preventative care as well as the latest in pain management and transfusion therapy.
A wide range of blood disorders including, anemia, platelet disorders (such as ITP), white blood cells disorders (neutropenias) and coagulation disorders (those with blood clots and easy bleeding, such as Hemophilia) are also treated at the clinic.
Each summer, staff from the clinic attends Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do, a summer camp for very special kids. Nurses and therapists spend the week at camp with the kids to ensure treatments continue throughout the week. The smiles, hugs and memories make a week of no sleep, dirty clothes and food fights worth every minute!
Call (260) 435-2501 to schedule an appointment or request a referral.
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