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KIDS SPECIALT Y CENTER

WOMEN’S & CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

LAFAYE T TE, LOUISIANA

W H E R E

F E E L S

L I K E

3rd Edition

With more than 30 years of service to Acadiana, Women’s & Children’s Hospital, a campus of The Regional Medical Center of Acadiana, has a long history of dedication to the health and well-being of our adults and children alike. We strive to provide the best healthcare — no matter how unique the needs of our patients — and to fulfi ll our mission: “Meeting the healthcare needs of the families we serve with Quality, Excellence and Compassion!”

Our pediatric cancer program is celebrating seven years of service and has expanded with the opening of our new Cancer & Infusion Center. Providing IV therapy, chemotherapy, and other services, the center offers compassionate treatment close to home.

We also support our young patients with efforts such as Beads of Courage, Monkey in My Chair, and Pet Therapy.

Our dedicated team continues to expand. Since our last report, we have welcomed two new surgeons: pediatric surgeon Dr. Dee Garrett and pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ann Marie Flannery.

Our core philosophy remains the same. We are dedicated to bringing comprehensive care exclusively to women and children. We have more pediatric and women’s specialists than any other hospital in Acadiana. We also offer the only pediatric intensive care unit in our area and the only level-three, regional neonatal intensive care unit in Acadiana. Providing specialized care is our calling and it drives our day-to-day pursuit to be the “healthcare provider of choice” for our communities.

I hope that you enjoy learning more about our pediatric hematology/oncology program as you read the following pages. We are proud of the excellence of the program and are thankful for the families and physicians who use our program to take care of our most precious resource – our children.

Sincerely,

Kathy Bobbs, CEO

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TWO

FIVE

ELEVEN

FOURTEEN

Message From CEO

Our Program & Services

Program Statistics

Physician Biographies

Partners

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sincerely,

On The Cover: Colorful beads from Beads of Courage. Each bead is a different color or shape and represents milestones, procedures, and acts of bravery during the child’s medical journey. For more information on the program, see page 8.

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MORADd o c t o r

We treat the following diagnoses:

ONCOLOGYLeukemias • Brain Tumors • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma • Hodgkin’s Lymphoma • Neuroblastoma • Wilms’ Tumor • Rhabdomyosarcoma • Ewing’s Sarcoma • Osteosarcoma • Liver Tumors

HEMATOLOGYAcquired and Hereditary Anemias • Neutropenias • Disorders of Leukocyte Function • Histiocytic

Disorders • Thrombocytopenia Disorders • Acquired & Hereditary Coagulation Abnormalities •

Abnormalities of Platelet Function

From our opening day in September of 2007 through today, our pediatric hematology/oncology program continues to grow both in the skilled team of physicians and staff we built to the number of patients and the varying kinds of cancers treated. We have developed a fostering relationship with our community partners so that patients and their families experience complete care, right here in Acadiana without having to travel away from their built-in support systems.

We have assembled a group of talented, multidisciplinary physicians, surgeons, nurses, and staff whose priority is to provide world-class care right here in our community. Dr. Garrett is widely recognized for her expertise in the area of minimally invasive surgery for pediatric patients. Dr. Ann Marie Flannery has expertise in the care of children with hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, brain and spinal cord tumors, congenital spinal cord disorders, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Falterman is widely regarded for his experience in the surgical removal of cancer.

And our program continues to grow beyond from Lafayette Parish to now serve 15 parishes with a pediatric population of 300,000. Unfortunately, the number of new patients we treat has also grown, but our program has maintained its 95 percent survival rate since 2008. We continue to provide quality treatment for our children, right here at home in the arms of our caring staff and their own loving families.

A FAMILY OF EXPERTISE & PASSION

our children, right here at home in the arms of our caring staff and their own

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“Unlike other treatment centers, whenever we call or show up for our appointments, we see the same people each time — we don’t have to keep telling our story. That’s important. And Dr. Morad is amazing. He has a fabulous bedside manner. (Luke loves to come home and tell his grandfather the jokes he’s learned from Dr. Morad.) He’s so good with kids — he’s kind of like part of our family.”

DAWN PAGE — Mom of Luke, Age 5

“Going away for treatment would have kept us away from the comfort of home and the support of our family. On top of that, Dr. Morad is amazing. He draws diagrams for me. He takes the time to talk with our son about his interests and he even takes the time to talk to all our family members, answering their questions. During those fi rst few weeks, when emotions were running high, the Child Life Specialists made sure our son understood the diagnosis and brought a sense of normalcy to our situation.”

PEGGY BEARB — Mom of Eddie Paul, Age 8

“It’s really hard to hear that your child has cancer. There’s some denial and it’s hard to focus, but Dr. Morad understands that. He patiently shares everything with you and walks you through it. Robin, his nurse, created a special calendar for us and Janie (Child Life Specialist) always seems to show up exactly when we need her. They all go

above and beyond!”

JODIE LIOTTA — Mom of Kaley, Age 11

“When my son was fi rst diagnosed everybody kept telling me to go to another center out of state. So I did my research and learned that Dr. Morad’s program is the same as other national programs, but it lets us stay here at home. Plus, Timothy’s treatments don’t have to be in a hospital now that the infusion therapy is right there in the

same building. I wouldn’t trade Dr. Morad for anything!”

KENNETHIA THOMASMom of Timothy, Age 12Mom of Timothy, Age 12

“It never gets easier to deliver bad news to the parents of the children I care for. These families are always heartbroken and afraid. Dr. Morad has made himself available to myself and my patients in these moments of need. His bedside manner is one of kindness and compassion. He answers questions for families and helps to reassure them in the most unsure of times. These families can now stay home and close to extended family to receive treatment we were unable to provide before Dr. Morad’s arrival in Lafayette. Dr. Morad is an irreplaceable asset to our community.”

FARRAH R. HUVAL, M.D.Lafayette

“Dr. Morad has been coming to our clinic for 5 years and

has provided excellent care to our hematology and oncology patients. He is

both a caring and compassionate physician that has been a valuable asset to our group.”

BRUCE M. THOMPSON, M.D.Lake Charles

“I have been very pleased with Dr. Morad’s care of our children with oncology and hematologic problems. His expertise and knowledge are unparalleled in his fi eld and in pediatrics in general. I feel Dr. Morad goes above and beyond expectation in his availability in taking transfers, accepting new onset emergencies, and just talking on the phone to me and worried parents.”

JOHN N. RHODES, M.D.Alexandria

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Diagnosed patients have come from the following Parishes:

Kids Specialty CenterCampus of Women’s & Children’s Hospital

4704 Ambassador Caffery PkwyLafayette, LA 70508

Alexandria Clinic 501 Medical Center Drive

Suite 4CAlexandria, LA 71301

Lake Charles Clinic2903 1st Avenue

Lake Charles, LA 70601

AcadiaAllen

BeauregardCalcasieuCameron

EvangelineIberia

Jefferson DavisLafayetteRapidesSt. LandrySt. MartinVermilionVernon

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When it comes to patient care, our team of

physicians and staff ensure that no child is ever

treated like a number. But when it comes to our

program’s statistics, the numbers are excellent

indicators of where we are and where we’ve been.

PROGRAM PROGRAM S T A T I S T I C S

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Statistics compiled : 1st seven years of program.

• Program officially active for 7 years

• 94 pediatric cancer patients treated

• 95 percent cure rate has been achieved

• Children have come from 14 parishes

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LIFECELEBRATE

MONKEYIN MY CHAIR

Taking place annually every fall, “Celebrate

Life!” is an invitation-only event for

pediatric hematology/oncology patients

and their families hosted by Women’s &

Children’s Hospital and Dr. Ammar Morad

of the Kids Specialty Center. This special event featuring

games, family fun activities, and special presentations, is

focused on recognizing these inspiring pediatric cancer

and hematology patients.

Monkey in My Chair is a national program for preschool and

elementary-aged children who are away from school because

of a cancer diagnosis. This program in which a large stuffed

monkey sits in the patient’s chair when they are out of school

– whether for a day here and there or an extended period for

treatment – helps classmates understand what is going on and to

help maintain the patient’s “place” in the classroom.

– whether for a day here and there or an extended period for

treatment – helps classmates understand what is going on and to

help maintain the patient’s “place” in the classroom.

CELEBRATECELEBRATE

treatment – helps classmates understand what is going on and to

help maintain the patient’s “place” in the classroom.

of a cancer diagnosis. This program in which a large stuffed

monkey sits in the patient’s chair when they are out of school

– whether for a day here and there or an extended period for – whether for a day here and there or an extended period for

treatment – helps classmates understand what is going on and to

help maintain the patient’s “place” in the classroom.

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Lily and Lilly, Pets for Health and Delta Society certifi ed dogs,

have been working with non-contagious patients in their

rooms at Women’s & Children’s Hospital for nearly four years.

They also help to further research on human/animal

interaction and integrated therapies. But their visits to our

patients at the Kids Cancer Center have proven to have a

positive effect on our pediatric oncology patients and

their families, too.

Lily and Lilly, Pets for Health and Delta Society certifi ed dogs,

have been working with non-contagious patients in their

rooms at Women’s & Children’s Hospital for nearly four years.

They also help to further research on human/animal

interaction and integrated therapies. But their visits to our

patients at the Kids Cancer Center have proven to have a

positive effect on our pediatric oncology patients and

their families, too.

PETTHERAPY

their families, too.

patients at the Kids Cancer Center have proven to have a

positive effect on our pediatric oncology patients and

COURAGEBEADS OF

Women’s & Children’s Hospital’s Beads of Courage program

is part of a national program that supports children who

are facing a serious illness. At the beginning of the program,

the child is given a length of string and beads to spell out

their fi rst name.

Then, as each stage of treatment is concluded, the patient is

given a Bead of Courage that commemorates the milestone.

It’s a small thing that means the world to our patients and

we’re proud to be one of only two hospitals in Louisiana

that are partners in the program.

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No More TravelAsk any of the children in our program and their faces will beam as they tell you about being able to have their oncology or blood disorder treatments done here in the Kids Specialty Center rather than in a hospital or facility a distance away.

Kid-Friendly SpaceWe've created a space that helps them feel more at home in a comfortable recliner equipped with a television or DVD player. It's a kid-friendly place where they can listen to music or read while their treatment is under way. (Adult services are in a separate area of the center.)

Comprehensive Infusion Services• Treatments provided here include:• Chemotherapy• Blood/blood products administration• IV solutions/medications• Injections• Hydration/fl uids administration

Age-Appropriate ApproachesOur staff of specially trained registered nurses conducts patient assessments prior to administering any medications. They monitor symptoms and side effects throughout the treatment period. In addition, our Child Life Specialists provide age-appropriate approaches to help the youngest patients and their families better understand procedures and treatment options.

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Medical supervision for the

center is directed by Dr. Ammar

Morad, Pediatric Hematology/

Oncology and Dr. Karen Roden,

Hematology/Oncology.

For more information about

the Cancer & Infusion Center,

call 337-521-9500.

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Dr. Morad completed his pediatric residency training at the Medical College of Wisconsin and his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

He was an Assistant Professor at Texas Children’s Hospital and at Texas Tech University. Dr. Morad’s primary clinical interests include leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, and all aspects of Pediatric Hematology.

MORADMORADMORADDR. AMMAR

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A Lafayette native, Dr. Deidra “Dee” Garrett completed her residency at Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation. She also completed fellowships in surgical critical care from Children’s Memorial Hospital at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, in minimally invasive surgery in Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and in pediatric surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. She holds a medical degrees from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania and a doctorate in genetics from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.

Dr. Garrett is widely recognized for her expertise in the area of minimally invasive surgery on pediatric patients and has written numerous research papers on the topic.

GARRETTDR. DEE

A Lafayette native, Dr. Deidra “Dee” Garrett completed her residency at Alton Ochsner

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Dr. Ann Marie Flannery is board certifi ed in Pediatric and adult Neurosurgery. She has expertise in the care of children with hydrocephalus, craniosynostosis, congenital spinal cord disorders, and traumatic brain injury. She is also published in numerous topics in neurosurgery including craniofacial surgery and brain tumor treatment.

Dr. Flannery has almost 30 years of experience in the field of neurosurgery specializing in pediatric and general neurosurgery. Most recently she has been leading a group of pediatric neurosurgeons in developing evidence based guidelines for the treatment of common pediatric neurosurgical disorders including hydrocephalus and plagiocephaly Dr. Flannery has been performing intracranial endoscopy cases since 1994 and also has expertise in the application of computer assisted surgical navigation in the treatment of pediatric neurosurgical disorders including tumors, hydrocephalus, and arachnoid cysts.

Dr. Falterman has more than 30 years of experience in the surgical management of solid tumors in infants and children. He works very closely with Dr. Morad, our pediatric oncologist, to provide a modern, multidisciplinary team management of childhood cancer.

Dr. Falterman utilizes advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques when appropriate and can provide vascular access for our patients being treated with chemotherapy.

A board-certifi ed pediatric surgeon, Dr. Falterman is the Director of the Kids Specialty Center and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Surgeons. He completed his general surgery residency at Louisiana State University and his pediatric surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

FALTERMANFALTERMANFALTERMANDR. KENNETH

FLANNERYFLANNERYFLANNERYDR. ANN MARIE

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OUR

Miles Perret Cancer Services

Dreams Come True of Louisiana

Aflac

Police Association of Lafayette

Happy Cakes

American Cancer Society

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Conkerr Cancer

Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation

American Childhood Cancer Organization

Cancer Care

Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation

National Children’s Cancer Society

The Max Foundation

Alex’s Lemonade Stand

Icing Smiles, Inc.

Foundation for Children With Cancer

Mission 4 Maureen

Battle 4 A Cure

Addi Faith’s Foundation

Emma Paige Foundation

Isaiah Alonso Foundation

Families Helping Families of Acadiana

Nellie’s Catwalk 4 Kids

Mary Bordelon, St. Martinville, La.

Delilah Simmons, St. Martinville, La.

Acadiana’s Hope for the Cure

Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation

National Children’s Cancer Society

The Max Foundation

The pediatric cancer program at Women’s & Children’s Hospital is fortunate to have area

businesses and organizations that continue to collaborate with us on initiatives and programs that enable us to expand our

services and improve our program. We are truly grateful for the following partners:

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337-521-9100

womens-childrens.com4600 Ambassador Caffery

Lafayette, LA 70508

337-371-3101 or 1-877-30-CARE-1

337-521-9500