Our Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Team

Our goal is to provide world class care for you and your family using a team-based approach.  Patients and families are a vital part of this team. In fact, you are the MOST important team members, and we encourage you to take an active role in your child's treatment and the recovery of their health.

Over the course of the transplant, your child will be cared for by a large number of staff members. At times this may seem overwhelming. Remember, we are all working to see your successfully through their transplant.

Our team includes the following professionals:

  • Physicians: While undergoing a transplant, medical care is provided by a transplant physician. He or she sees your child on a daily basis to examine them, answer any questions you may have and keep you informed of their progress. The transplant physicians alternate through who staffs the BMT unit every two weeks. This means your child will receive care from other members of our team of physicians during their hospitalization and recovery period. Weekly meetings of the physicians and other team members keep everyone up to date on the status of every patient. Generally, outpatient appointments and follow up care after your child’s stay at the hospital are performed by the physician who you met with for the initial BMT consult prior to your child’s transplant.
  • Clinical Nurse Coordinator: The nurse coordinator tracks your child’s treatment prior to transplant admission and plans the necessary testing and treatment they will need to get ready for transplant. The coordinator also will plan the donor’s schedule. This person is your primary contact as your child works their way toward transplant.
  • Transplant Unit Staff Nurses: These nurses are educated in the care and special needs of transplant patients. They organize your child’s care from the time you are admitted until you are discharged from the hospital. They will meet with you soon after admission to discuss the transplant process and what will be expected of you and your child. They also will be available to help you and your family with any physical or emotional problems as they arise. Once you are discharged, the outpatient clinic nurses will help develop your child’s plan of care in the outpatient setting and will assist you through the recovery process.
  • Advanced Practice Nurses/Physician Assistants: These caregivers have advanced training in transplant patient care and have day-to-day responsibility for your child's care while you are in the hospital or in the clinic. They work in close collaboration with the attending physician in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
  • Social Worker: A transplant social worker is available to you and your family to discuss needs and concerns you may have. The social worker assists you with transportation, housing and financial concerns, and helps you and your child deal with the emotional aspects of the transplant procedure. If needed, the social worker also assists in explaining your child’s needs to their school system or employer
  • Patient Accounts Representative: This person works with transplant patients and their insurance companies. He or she has information for you regarding the billing process, insurance approval and coverage, and anticipated expenses.
  • Nutrition Specialist: The transplant nutritionist meets with you to explain the special diet your child will follow during their hospital stay. He or she also works with your child in setting nutrition goals to prevent weight loss, follows their nutrition intake and offers suggestions on how to achieve their nutrition requirements. The nutritionist is available to you and your child after discharge and during recovery as your child’s appetite returns to normal.
  • Clinical Pharmacist: A clinical pharmacist participates in the planning of your child’s chemotherapy and any other medication they receive as an outpatient or inpatient. He or she is available to answer questions you may have about any of the medications your child receives.
  • Blood Bank Technologist: This person coordinates all blood products for transplant patients and their donors. He or she processes all stem cell products after harvesting and coordinates the apheresis procedures.
  • Physical Therapist: If your child is receiving an allogeneic transplant, after their admission a physical therapist will see and assist them with their activity program.
  • Child Life Therapists Child life specialists help support children during stressful hospital experiences. This is done largely through play and other fun activities.