The division of PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY AT THE BROOKLYN HOSPITAL CENTER was established in 1991 to provide state-of-the-art medical care to children and adolescents affected with blood disorders and cancer in the Borough of Brooklyn. The division is staffed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of three Board Certified Pediatric/Hematologists, two registered nurses, a social worker, a child-life specialist, a school teacher, an office manager, a clinical research assistant, and a community outreach coordinator. This highly trained team of professionals provides care in a friendly and pleasant environment and assists in improving the quality of life of our pediatric patients.

The COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL PROGRAM at the Brooklyn Hospital cares for over 350 children and adolescents with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies. The unique features of our program include 24 hour attending physician coverage, 9 hours/day- Monday thru Friday infusion room facility and a consistent team of dedicated care givers. These factors have helped to dramatically reduce the number of emergency room visits by our patients, decreased hospitalizations and practically eliminated fragmented care of these children with sickle cell disease. With the assistance of an NIH SPONSORED HRSA GRANT we have been able to develop an extensive community outreach program. The goals of this program are i) to ensure optimal care in a comprehensive center for individuals affected by sickle cell disease ii) to offer free screening and counseling to individuals at risk in the community and iii) to empower the community through education and participation. These activities are conducted in partnership with various community organizations. We are proud to have established an innovative program called KIDS KICKING SICKLE CELL.This program utilizes martial arts, relaxation techniques, meditation and breathing exercises to help children with chronic pain. This provides an opportunity for the children to learn coping skills while learning martial arts with their peers. Another remarkable aspect of our program is the well organized support group activities. There are separate SUPPORT GROUP meetings for English speaking and Spanish speaking patients and families. In addition, there is a teen support group which is conducted by the child-life specialist.

We are an active affiliate member of the CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY GROUP (COG ) which is a national cooperative group that works with over 200 member institutions to help prevent and cure cancer in children and adolescents through scientific discovery and compassionate care. As a member of COG we are able to offer an opportunity for our patients to participate in the latest clinical research trials. Clinical trials are research studies which are designed to help us answer specific questions regarding the nature of the disease and to evaluate various treatment options. These cooperative national research studies have been very helpful in finding cures and in evaluating effectiveness of different types of new therapies or in helping utilize new ways of using known therapies. Our areas of Interest include: LEUKEMIAS (ALL, AML), LYMPHOMAS (HODGKIN'S AND NON-HODGKIN'S), NEUROBLASTOMAS, WIMS TUMORS, BRAIN TUMORS, SARCOMAS, BONE AND MUSCLE TUMORS, AND OTHER KINDS OF CHILDHOOD TUMORS. We are able to provide the latest and most effective chemotherapy right in Brooklyn which is offered in the major medical centers in the country. Parents can be reassured that they are providing the best care for their children and can avoid the tremendous hardships caused by travel to far away centers.

Working in partnership with THE BROOKLYN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION we have created THE PARTNERS IN HEALING FUND. The funds raised will be used to support the activities of the division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology like staff education, expansion of child life programs, research and participation in other modalities of therapy like nutrition, Holistic medicine. Patients will be provided a comfortable, clean, caring and non-threatening environment. We hope to reduce the burden placed on the patients and families through our efforts.

LOCATION : The Brooklyn Hospital Center in the Main Building on the 10th Floor

CONTACT
Monday thru Friday: 8.30 AM - 5.30 pm (718) 250-6074
Evenings/Nights, weekends/holidays (718) 874- 9907
Sickle Cell Outreach (718) 250 - 8757
Email sws9001@nyp.org

Staff:
Swayam Sadanandan, M.D.
Email: sws9001@nyp.org

Carolyn Fein Levy, M.D.
Email: caf9015@nyp.org

Lynda MartinezCarde, BSN, R.N, CPON.
Nelly Karlin, R.N.
V. Hoey, LCSW
Sakinah Robbins, BSW
Maura Connelly, MS, CCLS
Kristen Riccardelli, CCLS
Fernando Fireman, CRA
Nadira Sukhdeo