Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center

Mission Statement

"To deliver compassionate family-centered, state-of-the-art clinical care and education through a multi-disciplinary approach in an academic environment grounded in spiritual and ethical values."

Treating the Disease, Caring for the Child

Keen minds and caring hearts. These are the attributes that set the Lombardi Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation apart. Our internationally recognized specialists are on the cutting edge of cancer research and treatment. And each staff member is dedicated to providing compassionate care in a setting that encourages our young patients to act like kids-even while they're battling cancer.

As the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Washington, DC area, Lombardi can provide pediatric patients and their families with the most advanced therapies available, as well as a wide range of resources-including social services, art therapy, dietetic counseling, and emotional or spiritual support. Plus we have the backing of an acclaimed academic center-Georgetown University Hospital-to ensure that every patient receives unsurpassed care.

Highly specialized, multidisciplinary care

Lombardi believes a team approach is the most effective strategy against childhood cancers. Each of our physicians focuses on specialized areas of pediatric oncology or hematology:

Leukemia, lymphomas, late effects in cancer survivors: Dr. Aziza Shad
Solid tumors: Dr. Jeffrey Toretsky
Bone marrow transplantation and coagulation disorders: Dr. Amal Abu-Ghosh
Hematologic disorders, including sickle cell anemia: Dr. Corina Gonzales

These practitioners comprise the core of each patient's caregiving team. Remaining team members are selected to reflect each individual patient's needs, and may include a case manager, social worker, art therapist, nutritionist and chaplain. These professionals are always accessible-often, a single phone call provides access to whomever and whatever you need.

Plus, because we recognize that cancer strikes children from any cultural or ethnic background, staff members are fluent in a range of languages and are trained to respect beliefs and concerns unique to each patient's background.

The most advanced treatments and clinical trials

Every member of our staff is highly trained and brings extensive experience in the treatment of pediatric cancer-and supports Lombardi's commitment to making the most advanced therapies available to every patient. We offer innovative stem cell and bone marrow transplantation therapies on-site. In addition, our clinicians have the expertise needed to treat many of the most rare types of pediatric cancer and hematological disorders.

The pediatric program also participates in groundbreaking research endeavors, and has access to many novel treatments available through a variety of local and national clinical trials. We are full members of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), and participate in all clinical and biological studies for pediatric cancer. Click here for a listing of Lombardi's open pediatric clinical trials.

State-of-the-Art Care in a Comforting Environment

As frightening as cancer is for adults, it can be even more distressing for children. To help our patients feel more secure-and to give them the chance to act like kids, even during treatment-we've designed a child-friendly outpatient clinic. With bright colors and a welcoming design, the clinic features play areas, a computer center, and lots of fun things to do-like art supplies and costumes for imaginative role-playing.

We've also redesigned our inpatient unit to create a comfortable-and comforting-setting that helps us to deliver the most effective therapies and optimum care possible.

Looking to the future

In recent years, caregivers at Lombardi have faced a most welcome challenge: helping kids grow and develop after having been successfully treated for cancer. Some patients experience long-term or late effects of their cancer treatment-ranging from physical to neurological to emotional manifestations. Lombardi is taking the lead in this area of study and treatment by establishing a Late Effects Program for Survivors of Childhood Cancers that addresses issues relating to physical growth, education, social development and adult roles.

In addition, our staff recognizes the devastating effect cancer has on parents, siblings, relatives and playmates. To answer this need, our program emphasizes the whole family, and coordinates services that can support the network of relationships so important to a patient's development.

Learn more about Lombardi's Childhood Cancer Survivorship Clinic .

How Can We Help?

We would be happy to answer any questions you have about our staff or our programs. Please contact us at (202) 444-7599.