Children with cancer at Baptist Children’s Hospital have a family-centered multidisciplinary pediatric oncology team to care for them.
The skilled professionals on the team include a pediatric cancer specialist, specially trained nurses, child-life specialists, psychologists, nutritionists, social workers, pharmacists and chaplains. From diagnosis and throughout treatment, the team is there for care and support of the child as well as his or her family. A number of clinical research trials are available to provide cutting-edge therapy.
State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment is available to our pediatric patients. Our PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computerized tomography) scanner dramatically improves doctors’ ability to diagnose and treat cancer by combining the best of PET and CT imaging. And a variety of treatment options, used individually or in combination, such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are offered.
Children with cancer are treated to enriching child-life programs, including weekly pet therapy with a certified pet therapist and specially trained dogs, and a humor program featuring a humor cart to bring smiles to children’s faces. After leaving the hospital, fun outings are offered for children and their families such as swimming with the dolphins, fishing tournaments and learning to ride horses at an equestrian center. Parties for patients and families are held regularly.
Spearheaded by the psychologist on the pediatric oncology team, a school reintegration program helps children who have had to miss a lot of school reach their fullest potential when returning to school.
For a referral to a cancer specialist, information on clinical research trials, educational programs, support groups or any services provided by the Baptist-South Miami Regional Cancer program, call 786-596-2430; toll-free from outside Miami-Dade County, 800-599-2456.