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Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit

The pediatric hematology/oncology unit at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois provides specialized care for children with cancer and blood disorders using a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

What is pediatric hematology oncology?

Children’s hematology oncology is a medical specialty devoted to diagnosing, treating and managing blood disorders and cancers in children. These include brain tumors, blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, among others. 
Pediatric Inpatient Care

What to Expect

Depending on your child’s condition, they may be admitted to the 10-bed pediatric hematology and oncology unit for certain procedures, treatments, surgery recovery or for emergencies, like fever or other signs of infection. Once admitted, a physician with training in pediatric hematology/oncology will care for your child. Your child may also receive outpatient treatment at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic through the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, which is located within the hospital.

Whether inpatient or outpatient, your child’s care will be seamlessly coordinated by a dedicated team of experts.

CHOI Hematology/Oncology Team

Understanding Your Child’s Care Team

Each day, your child’s care team will perform rounds to review your child’s status and planned treatment for their hospital stay. They will meet with your family to update you on the care plan and answer any questions. An advanced practice nurse will also provide education on your child’s condition and post-hospital care if they have been recently diagnosed with cancer. Our team includes pediatric chemotherapy certified nurses, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, patient educators and child life specialists.

Learn More About the Team

Conditions We Treat

Our providers specialize in cancer and blood disorders and treat conditions such as:

Cancers:

  • Blood cancers, including leukemia, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Bone tumors such as Osteosarcoma or Ewing Sarcoma
  • Brain tumors, both benign and malignant
  • Langerhans cell histiocytosis and other histiocytic disorders
  • Neurofibromatosis related malignancies
  • Solid tumors, such as kidney tumors, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, other soft tissue sarcomas and other rare sarcoma

Blood disorders:

  • Anemia, including iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemias or aplastic anemia
  • Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other platelet disorders
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Thalassemia
  • White cell blood disorders such as neutropenia
  • Women with heavy menstrual bleeding

Other:

  • Cancer predisposition syndrome
  • Vascular anomalies

Services We Provide

Your child will receive comprehensive, specialized services to diagnose and treat their condition, including:

  • Blood bank services for transfusions
  • Child life services
  • Education and career support
  • Heller Center for Kids with Cancer
  • Imaging services within the hospital, including X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET-CT, and MIBG scan
  • Long term follow-up for cancer survivors
  • Mental and emotional health
  • Nutritional and wellness services
  • Patient and family education
  • Pediatric sedation services
  • Supportive and palliative care services
CHOI Room Amenities

Room Amenities

The OSF Children’s Hospital hematology oncology unit is located within the general pediatrics unit.

Your child will have a private room where parents and guardians can stay overnight. Each room has an Xbox and access to movies and games through the GetWell Network.

The unit features a full playroom with toys for younger kids, as well as a teen lounge with arcade games and gaming systems for older kids.

Dining Options

Your child can choose from a variety of kid-friendly meal options throughout their stay. One parent or caregiver can also order a meal at no cost for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Parents and caregivers can also eat at any of our on-campus dining options.


Featured Providers

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Pedro A. de Alarcon, MD

Pediatric Hematology,

Pediatric Medical Oncology

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Prerna Kumar, MD

Pediatric Hematology,

Pediatric Medical Oncology

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Jennifer M. Light, MD

Pediatric Hematology Oncology,

Internal Medicine

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Brinda M. Mehta, MD

Pediatric Hematology,

Pediatric Medical Oncology

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Margaret B. Nagel, MD

Pediatric Hematology Oncology

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Mary E. Ross, MD

Pediatric Hematology,

Pediatric Medical Oncology

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Kay L. Saving, MD

Pediatric Hematology,

Pediatric Medical Oncology

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Susan M. Gaitros, APRN

Pediatric Hematology,

Pediatric Medical Oncology

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Diana D. Simmons, APRN

Pediatric Hematology,

Pediatric Medical Oncology

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Beth A. Speckhart, APRN

Pediatric Hematology Oncology

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Dana M. Stephens, APRN

Pediatric Hematology Oncology

Location

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois (Peoria)

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois

530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue
Peoria, IL 61637