Meet the Cancer and Blood Disorders Team at Children's Hospital Colorado

At Children's Hospital Colorado, we strive to meet your child's and family's needs for information, recommendations, and support through evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Our experts ensure your child receives the latest and best in care.

Children's Hospital Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders staff include oncologists, hematologists, nurses and other specialists. These experts are ready to share with you the latest information about childhood cancer and blood disorders, as well as the tests and treatments for those conditions. Whether your child is a newborn or a teenager, all our talent and resources are focused on you and your child.

See a list of our Cancer and Blood Disorders specialists.

Your Care Team

Physicians

All of our pediatric oncologists are board certified in Hematology/Oncology and are members of the Children’s Oncology Group as well as many other national and international pediatric oncology societies. When your child is treated at Children's Hospital Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, a primary physician will work with you, your child and your family throughout the treatment period and beyond. Usually your Oncologist makes the diagnosis for your child and establishes the treatment plan. Other doctors who are specialists in a particular area, such as infectious disease, dermatology (skin) and gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines), may be asked to consult.

Pediatric Oncologist

A doctor with advanced training in diagnosing and treating childhood cancers. The specialized education and experience of our Pediatric Oncologists makes a difference for children and families facing this disease. We understand the ways cancer starts and acts differently in children than in adults. We strive to create treatment plans based on established knowledge as well as on the very latest research into what’s most effective and safest in children. Many of our physicians have special training and/or a special interest in bone marrow transplantation. Additionally, there are doctors on our team who are Hematologists (blood specialists) as well as Immunologists (experts on the immune system).

Neuro-Oncologist

A Neuro-Oncologist is a physician who has specialized training in treating brain tumors with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The Neuro-Oncologist meets with the patient and family to discuss all treatment options. The Neuro-Oncologist assesses the patient's condition before and after surgery and works closely with the nurse associate in following the patient through chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Treatment protocols and trials with new anti-cancer agents are organized by the neuro-oncologist. Children's Hospital Colorado Neuro-Oncology program is able to evaluate the most recent medications and other advanced treatments showing promise in treating tumors.

Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric Dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. After completing dental school, a Pediatric Dentist is further trained for the unique dental health needs of children. Their specialized education consists of child psychology, growth and development, management of oral-facial trauma, sedation and general anesthesia.

Your primary care team also includes an outpatient nurse who, like your Pediatric Oncologist, will see you at every visit. The care team you meet at diagnosis will work with you throughout your treatment and follow-up.  In addition, there are many other valuable contributors to your child’s care.

Nurses

Registered Nurse (RN): A Registered Nurse (RN), regardless of specialty or work setting, performs basic duties that include treating patients, educating patients and the public about various medical conditions, and providing advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, help to perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, including post-treatment home care needs, diet and exercise programs and self-administration of medication and physical therapy. Some RNs also are trained to provide grief counseling to family members of critically ill patients. RNs can specialize in one or more patient care specialties.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

A PNP is a Registered Nurse (RN) who has completed an advanced degree as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), and has specialized in the care of children. A PNP is licensed to see patients for assessment, treatment and follow-up.

Pediatric Oncology Infusion/Chemotherapy Nurse

The infusion nurse, specializes in the treatment of cancer patients, provides chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood product administration and therapeutic phlebotomy as ordered by your physician. The nurse, a certified provider of chemotherapy administration, works closely with your oncology pharmacist, doctor, and the nurse practitioner to safely administer your child’s treatment. The infusion nurse will work closely with your child to ensure comfort and well-being throughout the treatment regime.

Other Staff

Pediatric Anesthesiologist

A pediatric anesthesiologist is a fully trained anesthesiologist who has completed at least one year of specialized training in anesthesia care of infants and children. Most pediatric surgeons deliver care to children in the operating room along with a pediatric anesthesiologist. Many children who need surgery have very complex medical problems that affect many parts of the body. The pediatric anesthesiologist is best qualified to evaluate these complex problems and plan a safe anesthetic for each child. Through special training and experience, pediatric anesthesiologists provide the safest care for infants and children undergoing anesthesia.

Nutritionist

A nutritionist (dietitian) provides consultation, evaluation and diet instruction to parents and children - for those who are well or those who need special therapeutic diets for chronic conditions such as cancer, Cystic Fibrosis diabetes and the acutely ill.

Therapeutic Recreation/Child Life Specialist

A Child Life Specialist is a professional who is specially trained to help children and their families understand and manage challenging life events and stressful healthcare experiences. Child Life Specialists are skilled in providing developmental, educational and therapeutic interventions for children and their families under stress. Child Life Specialists support growth and development while recognizing family strengths and individuality, and respecting different methods of coping. 

Clinical Social Worker

Clinical Social Work is a specialty discipline committed to enhancing the emotional and physical well-being of children with cancer and blood disorders and their families.  Practice is based upon a unique body of knowledge and expertise in the areas of development and family life.  The social workers are clinicians, educators, advocates and researchers. Their role includes meeting with families at diagnosis for support and assessment of needs, referrals to community and national agencies for financial and emotional support, links to local resources based on needs, coordination of supports for lodging, meals and transportation, facilitating support groups, providing sibling resources and acting as a liaison with community agencies.  Social workers follow patients and families throughout the course of treatment.

Pediatric Oncology Pharmacist

The Pediatric Oncology Pharmacist provides extensive pharmaceutical care to inpatient and ambulatory patients. These specialized pharmacists participate in drug therapy consults, clinical research protocols and provide patient, family and staff education.  Oncology pharmacists have the unique opportunity to become involved with their patients and families for the duration of the patient’s treatment.

Art Therapist

Children's Hospital art therapists work with children with cancer and their families by using art as an avenue of expression. Through one-on-one and group interaction, children are supported in their experience of cancer. The art therapist is an integral part of the healing process and works in concert with other members of the team to provide a warm and caring environment for children and families during this stressful life experience.

Pastoral Care

Chaplains offer a spiritual dimension to the healing process, and is available for all patients and families at Children's Hospital Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Chaplains understand the unique experience of cancer and are ready to assist you through the experience. Any member of the healthcare team is happy to help arrange a meeting for you with Pastoral Care.