St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) and Siteman Cancer Center have joined forces against pediatric cancer by establishing “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 that’s specifically geared to younger patients and their families.
Joan Magruder, SLCH president, says the program strengthens and recognizes the long-standing relationship between the hospital, Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM).
“I am overjoyed to be part of making history in the fight against childhood cancer,” she says. “Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital brings together the very best of both institutions, and WUSM, to offer exceptional cancer care and innovative research in a compassionate child- friendly environment.”
The pediatric oncology program at SLCH has worked with Siteman and WUSM 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,” says Robert Hayashi, MD, SLCH director of hematology/oncology and professor and director of the division of pediatric hematology and oncology at WUSM. “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 Eberlein, MD, Siteman’s director and a WUSM cancer surgeon and department head, said many things already unite SLCH 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. About one in five 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,” Dr. Eberlein says. “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.”
To learn more about Siteman Kids, call Children’s Direct at 800.678.HELP (4357).
