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Siteman Kids launches

Program offers cutting-edge cancer treatments in a setting geared for younger patients

September 30, 2016

Mike Martin Media

SCC_Kids_finalA 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.

Leaders at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Siteman Cancer Center announced Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to faculty and staff on Sept. 19. Pictured are (from left): Gary Silverman, MD, PhD, head of the Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine; Robert Hayashi, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the School of Medicine; Joan Magruder, president of St. Louis Children's; Karen Kharasch, executive director of research and business administration at Siteman; and Timothy Eberlein, MD, director of Siteman.Robert Boston
Leaders at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Siteman Cancer Center announced Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to faculty and staff on Sept. 19. Pictured are (from left): Gary Silverman, MD, PhD, head of the Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine; Robert Hayashi, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the School of Medicine; Joan Magruder, president of St. Louis Children’s; Karen Kharasch, executive director of research and business administration at Siteman; and Timothy Eberlein, MD, director of Siteman.

Washington University School of Medicine‘s 2,100 employed and volunteer faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient-care institutions in the nation, currently ranked sixth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 130 years. US News & World Report ranks St. Louis Children’s among the best pediatric hospitals in the nation.  In 2015 the hospital again received the Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.  St. Louis Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient care institutions in the nation. The hospital is a member of BJC HealthCare.

Siteman Cancer Center, ranked among the top cancer treatment centers by U.S. News & World Report, also is one of only a few cancer centers in the U.S. to receive the highest rating of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Comprising the cancer research, prevention and treatment programs of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Siteman is Missouri’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the state’s only member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.