Who treats hemoglobinopathy and sickle cell at Children’s Minnesota?
In the Hemoglobinopathy and Sickle Cell Program, hematology specialists tailor a treatment plan that is unique for each of our patients. Families using Children’s Minnesota’s Cancer and Blood Disorders services benefit from a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals to meet their individual needs.
Pediatric hematologists are physicians with special focus on pediatric blood disorders. At the Blood Disorders Clinic, our hematologists tailor a treatment plan that is special for each one of our patients.
- Susan Kearney, MD
- Susan Kuldanek, MD
- Michael R. Sprehe, MD, MPH
- Stephanie A. Fritch Lilla, MD
- Kate Garland, MD
Clinical nurse practitioners (CNP) are nurses who have completed a master’s program and specialty training in caring for children with cancer and blood disorders.
Depending on your child’s needs and the staff at your hospital and clinic, any of the following people may be on your health care team:
Case managers are registered nurses who are trained to provide and coordinate the nursing care and teaching to children and their families in the hospital or clinic.
Child life specialists have special training in child development and how children react to illness and being in the hospital. A child life specialist helps children to cope with cancer and its treatment.
Chaplains are trained to offer spiritual care, support and prayer according to each family’s individual needs.
Genetic counselors are trained to provide information and support to families who may be at risk for a variety of genetic disorders or inherited conditions.
Nutritionists are trained to evaluate your child’s nutritional needs and weight. The nutritionist also helps to provide teaching and support about eating and drinking when your child goes home.
Patient health advocates
Pediatric hematology/oncology nurses focus their knowledge and attention on patients with childhood cancer and blood disorders.
Pharmacists are trained to prepare the medicines and nutritional support that your child will need.
Physical therapists work with your child to maintain or restore a level of fitness through strength and endurance exercises.
Psychiatrist or psychologists are health professionals available to help you and your child cope with feelings of anger, fear, depression, and hope that you or your child may experience. This person may also perform testing.
Sickle cell patient family health advocates are sickle cell community experts who work with you and your child to promote health equity through advocacy, care coordination, and connectedness within both clinical and community settings.
Social workers are trained to help you and your child cope with illness and hospitalization through counseling, support groups, financial assistance, and resource referral.
This team approach gives families and referring physicians access to a wealth of expertise.