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NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.
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The Herbert Irving Division of Child & Adolescent Oncology has three pillars or sections of care for children with cancer: solid tumors, hematological malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma and brain tumors (neuro-oncology). Each of these three endeavors consists of a basic science research component and a clinical component. The clinical component is further comprised of two areas, clinical investigation and patient care. This overall structure of laboratory investigation linked with a clinical enterprise has been established in order to translate laboratory findings into improved treatments for children with cancer. All three sections are supported by four division-wide initiatives: the integrative therapies program for children with cancer, the center for survivor wellness, the Valerie Fund Psycho-Social Program, and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation Developmental Therapeutics Program.
The HIDCAO is a member of the Children's Oncology Group, the international collaborative charged by the National Cancer Institute to conduct clinical trials and perform research on children and adolescents with cancer. We participate in the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University consortium for the treatment of leukemia, and the Head Start initiative for therapeutic trials for patients with brain tumors.
The Pediatric Cancer Foundation Developmental Therapeutics Program, under the leadership of Julia Glade Bender, MD, is one of only 20 pediatric oncology programs in the country, and the only one in New York selected by the Children's Oncology Group and the National Cancer Institute to conduct phase I clinical trials that investigate novel treatment strategies for patients with relapsed or refractory disease. In addition we are the only program in New York to participate in TACL (Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia) and NANT (New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy) two limited, exclusive consortia dedicated to testing new drugs for children.
The Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer, directed by Kara Kelly, MD is the first of its kind to mainstream complementary medicine with conventional surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. It is the largest such program in the country. Services such as nutrition and herbal counseling, aromatherapy, acupressure, acupuncture, Reiki, yoga and movement, massage, and guided imagery are provided "without walls" as practitioners provide care to patients both on the inpatient and outpatient units. We endorse the paradigm that integrative therapies facilitate healing in patients undergoing cancer therapy, decrease the severity and incidence of side-effects, alleviate stress and anxiety surrounding cancer therapy, improve sleep patterns, and diminish fatigue. The practitioners provide a spiritual safe haven in the often chaotic environment of a large academic medical center.
The Valerie Fund Psychosocial Program, led by Dr. Stephen Sands, a child psychologist provides individual and group counseling as well as neuro-psych testing. The child-life therapists use art and play activities to help children gain coping skills. The social workers assist patients and families to navigate the health care system and assist them with all psycho-social matters. Special initiatives include, "Kids Kicking Cancer," a martial arts program, pet therapy, and clowns from the Big Apple Circus.
The Center for Survivor Wellness, directed by Jennifer Levine, MD provides patients and their families a comprehensive medical and psychosocial assessment and introduces interventions to mitigate the long-term complications of treatment for childhood cancer. Particular attention is paid to the needs of adolescent and young adult survivors including issues of education, job training, fertility, and a healthy life-style. The Center offers several innovative initiatives such as "Cancer Dancers," an exercise dance troupe, a summer internship program in conjunction with WCBS Radio, and "Survivewell.org" a site that embraces 21st century technology.
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