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CARE ACROSS THE CONTINUUM WINTHROP-UNIVERSIT Y HOSPITAL'S pediatric program partners with the Hospital's Maternal Fetal Medicine Team to provide comprehensive care before a child is even born. After diagnosing potential anomalies during fetal examination, fetal medicine physicians collaborate with Winthrop's pediatric subspecialists, which include geneticists and cardiologists, to determine the most effective pre- and postpartum treatments. disorders. Emphasizing outpatient care for chemotherapy, transfusions, and when possible, surgical services, mini- mizes the disruption in patients' lives. "Allowing children go home and sleep in their own bed at night has significant therapeutic value, as it permits them to be with their dog, have their parents around and know where the bathroom is," Dr. Rosenfeld says. "These kids are going through tough times, and their whole lives have been turned upside down. While treating their cancer, we try to normalize their routines as much as possible." Advances Through Affiliation The CCFK is also Nassau County's only member of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) — an international con- sortium of global leaders in pediatric cancer care and the world's largest organization focused solely on pediatric cancer research — which is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. As a COG member, Winthrop clinicians share ideas and best practices with more than 9,000 experts at more than 200 children's hospitals. Additionally, COG membership permits the CCFK to participate in clinical trials designed by leading pediatric cancer centers. Investigation and Discovery T h e c o l l e g i a t e a t m o s p h e r e a t Winthrop-University Hospital extends beyond the Oncolog y Department. Currently, clinicians are examining the relationship between vitamin D and pediatric osteoporosis prevention, as well as cardiovascular complications associated with other conditions, such as diabetes, or new treatments such as prophylactic medications and vaccines. Winthrop recently participated in a clinical trial of a vaccine for meningo- coccal serogroup B — the most common form of illness caused by meningococcus bacteria among adolescents — which broke out at Princeton University in 2013 and 2014. Researchers are also examining pla- cental inflammation to optimize the management of and/or reduce the num- ber of premature births. Some experts seek to identify biological markers of diabetes that will help pediatricians better predict the course and severity COV ER FE AT UR E Lori Benzoni, MPH, Pediatric Program and Event Manager (seated, left), Melanie Bucholtz, Certified Child Life Specialist (standing), and Dr. Daum meet to discuss the STAR program. of Type 1 diabetes and lead to earlier detection of the disease. "Being involved with leading-edge research development brings a different level of critical thinking that can be translated back to clinical care and leads to a better understanding of many issues sick children have," Dr. Krilov says. Care Requires Caring Though the quality of Winthrop's medical staff and the care they provide is impressive in its own right, it's the extra effort Winthrop has made to ensure patients and their families have easy access to that care that makes the difference. "At Winthrop, we've created a warm, community atmosphere in which to deliver the highest possible standard of pediatric care," Dr. Daum says. "That's not easy in this day and age. And while we're able to provide outstanding, sophis- ticated medical care, we still manage to get a hug in." For additional information about the wide-ranging pediatric prog rams and ser vices available at Winthrop, visit winthrop.org. ■ 1 0 | Long Island MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M