Your Childhood Cancer Care Team

Your childhood cancer care team includes doctors, nurses, dietitians and healthcare technicians. You can even consult with a financial counselor. Each team member plays an important part in your care. Because we are an academic medical center, you may also meet medical students, residents and fellows (doctors pursuing advanced training in a subspecialty).

Pediatric radiation oncologists

Pediatric radiation oncologists are specially trained to give your child safe, effective radiation treatments to destroy or reduce the size of a tumor, while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues.

Pediatric surgical oncologists

These doctors specialize in treating pediatric cancer with surgery, using the most advanced surgical techniques.

Nurses and technicians

Advanced practice nurses

An advanced practice nurse works with each childhood cancer doctor. These nurses will be your contact person for problems or concerns. They will answer your questions and review information about your child’s cancer treatment. Advanced practice nurses have additional education and training. They work with the doctors and see patients independently to help with problems during and after treatment.

Nurse managers

Each area has its own nurse manager who oversees care. If you have problems that can’t be resolved by your healthcare team, please ask to speak with the nurse manager.

Oncology registered nurses

These nurses are trained to care for people with cancer and to give chemotherapy drugs and other treatments.

Resource center coordinator

The coordinator at our Brandmeyer Patient Resource Center is specially trained to provide information and help you learn about your child’s condition and treatment. She also will help you use the computers in the resource center to check email and search the internet for information about your child’s condition.

Treatment nurses

Patients usually receive chemotherapy and other treatments from a treatment nurse. Your treatment nurse will also answer questions about your child’s condition and treatment.

Healthcare technicians

The healthcare technician is one of the first people you will meet. HCTs will be there for each treatment and follow-up visit to place you in a room, take your child’s vital signs and ask about any symptoms or problems. They assist the doctors with exams and procedures and schedule tests and appointments.

Support team and resources

Cancer affects every aspect of your family’s life. We offer support services such as financial counseling, social services and pain management. These are an important part of the advanced care your child receives. They help ensure your child gets the full benefit of his or her treatment.

Pharmacists

To ensure accuracy, quality and safety, the cancer center has its own pharmacy. Our pharmacists are a vital part of your care team. They prepare your chemotherapy and associated medications. Pharmacists will review medications and explain what each one is for and what side effects your child may experience.

Our pharmacy is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. To make an appointment with a cancer center pharmacist, call 913-588-1227.

Pain management resource team

Pain and fatigue are common problems for people with cancer. Members of our pain management resource team have in-depth experience working with all types of pain. If your child has any symptoms or if you have questions, you can speak with your doctor’s nurse clinician. Call 913-588-1227.

Dietitians

Proper nutrition is especially important during and after treatments. Our dietitian is available to help you plan the best meals to meet your child’s needs and tastes. You can schedule an appointment to see the dietitian during one of your regular visits. Call 913-588-1227.

Social workers

Our social workers can help you and your family with problems and stresses that result from the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They can help you with insurance, coverage for medications and Social Security disability. They also will provide information on community resources such as cancer support groups, transportation and lodging. To speak with one of our social workers, please tell your doctor or nurse or call 913-588-1227.

KU Kids Healing Place

We focus on the physical, psychological, social, educational and spiritual needs of children with cancer. For more information, call 913-588-6305.

Financial counselors

Financial counseling is available at no charge. To make an appointment to meet with a financial counselor, call 913-588-1227.

Chaplains

Protestant and Catholic chaplains are available to provide pastoral care and spiritual services. To contact one of our chaplains, call 913-588-5000.

Medical support services

Laboratory

The cancer center has its own lab, and we do most lab tests on site. We send some tests to an outside lab for insurance reasons or because your doctor has ordered a test that we don’t do. It will take a day or so for us to receive test results sent to outside labs. If your insurance provider restricts you to a certain lab, please have your tests done 1 or 2 days before your appointment.

Medical records

Please allow 3 or 4 days to have your medical records sent to pediatric hematology/oncology before your visit. If your records are at The University of Kansas Hospital, please visit our Medical Record Department or call 913-588-2454.

Radiology

Patients can receive diagnostic imaging at several of our convenient locations.