Medical Director: Susan Wiersma, MD
The Cancer Center demonstrates a consistent and strong commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to patient management. The RBC Cancer Center is the pediatric component of University Hospitals of Cleveland's Ireland Cancer Center, and participant in the CWRU NCI-funded Comprehensive Cancer Center. Patients are managed by an integrated team which includes board-certified pediatric hematologist-oncologist nurse practitioners, social workers, dedicated inpatient and outpatient nurse specialists, psychologists, and multiple pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists. Childhood cancer experts from the departments of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Pathology participate in co-management.
The Center is a member of the NCI-funded Children's Oncology Group. Patients are enrolled on local protocols through the CWRU Cancer Center, and on national treatment protocols through COG and the NCI. Investigational drugs are available from several sources, and most patients are treated on clinical research protocols.
All patients, regardless of diagnosis, receive inpatient care on the 20-bed designated oncology floor on Rainbow 2, and ambulatory care in the pediatric area of the Ireland Cancer Center, located on the 6th floor of the Bolwell Health Center. Patients may receive prolonged chemotherapy infusions, blood transfusions, and extensive evaluation without necessitating admission to the hospital. Access to support groups, sibling support groups, psychological coping assistance, Child Life Services, Art and Music Therapy, palliative care resources, and hospice services are all available.
Our Staff
Nurse-Coordinators:
Barbara Humrick, RN, PNP
Kelly Laschinger, RN, PNP
Social worker:
Debbie Comeau, LISW