MDNews - San Antonio

" In health care, particularly academic health care, it's important that we continue to be on the leading edge of medical knowledge. We're able to do that because we have continued support of the community and because we've developed a successful network with the outstanding private practice pediatricians in the area. We've created an accountable, engaged, driven culture that allows us to put patient interests first. There are bright days ahead at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio." ELIAS J. NEUJAHR, PRESIDENT, THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF SAN ANTONIO specific needs of pediatric patients are the hallmark of The Heart Center at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. The program includes a dedicated cardiac operating room, around-the-clock support for young patients in need of transport, a catheterization laboratory outfitted specifically for children and cardiac surgery areas in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Team members include five physicians, two surgeons and a cadre of mid-level providers specializing in pediatric cardiology. This group is also poised to expand, as administration continues an ongoing search for additional providers in this high-demand field. "The goal of the heart program and our heart team is to provide world-class, patient-centered care in an academic environment," says Jillian Stewart, Practice Administrator for Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery for The Heart Center. "Our wonderful team of professionals truly committed to the care of the com- munity's children and focused on the family experience. That means o…ering the latest advances such as new ways to use MRI technology to study the pediatric heart, collaborating with our maternal-fetal medicine experts before children take their first breaths and supporting them the rest of their lives through o…erings such as our support program for adults who were born with congenital heart disease." Blood and bone marrow transplant. In February, the children's hospital announced the creation of the Harvey E. Najim Blood & Marrow Transplant Center. This dedicated inpatient and outpatient unit will facilitate care for children with a variety of blood disorders and conditions such as cancer in a safe, controlled environment that minimizes their exposure to outside contaminants. The program's director is Veronica Jude, MD, a pediatric hematologist with an extensive background in pediatric cancer treatment. She plans on performing the first on-site bone marrow transplant later this year and will be joined by additional support sta… over the course of the coming months. To learn more, visit chofsa.org. For 24/7 physician-to-physician consultations and transports, call 877-ALL-KIDZ (255-5439). ■ Creating an Academic Institution THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITA L OF SA N A NTONIO works hand in hand with the top-ranked medical university in the state, Baylor College of Medicine, as well as Texas Children's Hospital, to create an environment where the latest medical advances are available to patients. It's a true academic environment where leading providers from around the country and world are proud to practice. "Research and education are at the core of what we do," says Elias J. Neujahr, President of The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. "Our strong network has allowed us to partner with more than 170 providers who are affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. We also help secure the future of pediatric medicine by conduct- ing clinical trials and training medical residents. Our residency program is poised to grow over the coming years as we develop additional specialty programs." 0 8C O V E R F E A T U R E

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