Frequent trips to Indianapolis were routine for Michiana children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders. But today, the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program at Memorial Children’s Hospital provides many of the same essential services close to home.

Developed in 1992 in affiliation with Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, this satellite program --the first of its kind in affiliation with Riley --helps reduce the many trips to Indianapolis and back for routine treatments.

Memorial Pediatric Hematology/Oncology's comprehensive team includes a pediatric nurse practitioner, nurses, social services staff and a parent advocate. Together, they offer children and their families personal counseling, psychological support and coordination of treatment to minimize the impact of a chronic disease on daily life.

Meet Our Specialists

Services include:

• Chemotherapy: Patients receive chemotherapy both in the outpatient department and on the inpatient pediatric floor. Treatments are given by chemotherapy-certified nursing personnel and are overseen by a Board Certified pediatric oncologist. Many patients receive treatments as part of clinical trials of the Children’s Oncology Group or other clinical research consortia.
• Sickle Cell Therapy: Ongoing surveillance monitoring  of children and adolescents with all forms of sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and other hemoglobinopathies, as well as management of acute complications.
• Blood transfusions: Transfusions of packed erythrocytes, platelets, and other blood products as needed for cancer patients and those with transfusion-dependent anemias.
• Specialized hematology testing: Evaluation and management of patients with anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and other hematologic disorders.
• Teaching and school outreach: Providing education for patients, families, nursing students, medical students and residents, other health care providers, and other interested groups.
• Family activities

• Radiation Therapy: Provided by radiation oncologists at the Memorial Cancer Center.  Some patients may travel to Indiana University in Indianapolis or Bloomington for special radiation oncology needs.
• Hemophilia management: Working in conjunction with the Indiana Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center (IHTC), children and adolescents with all types of bleeding disorders and thrombophila are evaluated and treated. Members of the IHTC conduct periodic specialized, multidisciplinary outreach clinics.
• Nutritional counseling: Nutritional complications are common in children with cancer or severe blood disorders. Nutritional surveillance and support is provided as part of routine care, in consultation with nutritional support staff.
• Pediatric oncology support group
• Bereavement services

To date, the center has served more than 300 children and their families with medical services, referrals and emotional support. An added benefit of the center is the Parent Advocate, who helps parents understand their child's disease and coordinates services for families who need them.

Fun Gathering Events

Contact Pediatric Oncology Parent Advocate Tammy Robison at 1-800-284-6892 for information on meeting dates and party activities.