Siteman Kids launches
Program offers cutting-edge cancer treatments in a setting geared for younger patients
Mike Martin MediaLeukemia patient Liam Goble, 3, and his mom, Shannon Goble, practice taking care of a medical doll’s implanted port. Liam is being treated at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, which has announced the creation of Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, a partnership with Siteman Cancer Center.
A nationally recognized children’s hospital and cancer center have joined forces against pediatric cancer. St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Siteman Cancer Center have established “Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.” The partnership is focused on caring for children and adolescents with cancer, using the latest, most effective treatments, in a setting geared to younger patients and their families.
Joan Magruder, president of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, said the new program strengthens and recognizes the long-standing relationship between the hospital, Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University School of Medicine.
“I am overjoyed to be part of making history in the fight against childhood cancer,” she said. “Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital brings together the very best of both institutions, and Washington University School of Medicine, to offer exceptional cancer care and innovative research in a compassionate child-friendly environment.”
Siteman Kids was announced Sept. 19 to faculty and staff, and Sept. 24 at the opening program of Pedal the Cause, a cycling event to raise funds for pediatric and adult cancer research at the School of Medicine.
The pediatric oncology program at Children’s Hospital has worked with Siteman and the School of Medicine for years to provide cutting-edge technology, innovative clinical trials and new therapies, specialty physician care and highly trained staff.
“Families come to us because they want the best care possible for their children,” said Bob Hayashi, MD, professor and director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. “With a team approach to cancer care, including physicians, nurses, therapists, school liaisons and professionals providing emotional support for the entire family, we provide the ideal program to cure the cancer and keep the children and teenagers on track to a bright future.”
Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, Siteman’s director and a Washington University cancer surgeon and department head, said many things already unite Children’s Hospital and Siteman, including their shared use of the S. Lee Kling Proton Therapy Center. The facility is the only one in 300 miles to offer this precise form of radiation that targets tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. Nearly 1 in 5 people treated at the Kling Center is a child.
“Internationally recognized research and world-class patient care, provided by specialists at Children’s, Siteman and Washington University, offer hope,” Eberlein said. “Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital is another opportunity to present the very best in cancer research, technology and care, to our young patients facing a cancer diagnosis.”
Learn more at StLouisChildrens.org/SitemanKids.
Robert Boston
