Pediatric health care providers from the Hudson Valley and surrounding area gathered at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital on a warm January 11th for the Fifth Annual “Current Topics in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology” Conference, hosted by Dr. Mitchell S. Cairo. Those who attended were treated to an informative day of education and networking.
The conference agenda was filled with a variety of topics that provided the participants with the most current information about the identification, etiology and management of pediatric diagnoses that may be linked to a genetic predisposition. The conference was attended by pediatricians, internists, family practitioners, genetic specialists, hematologists, oncologists, emergency department providers, psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses and nurse practitioners. Attendance offered participants an opportunity to update their knowledge regarding predisposition syndromes that result in malignant and non-malignant disorders. The distinguished speakers represented the Divisions of Hematology & Oncology, Ophthalmology, Immunology, Rheumatology, and Genetic & Metabolic Disorders. Dr. Akiko Shimamura from the Dana Farber/ Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center provided the Keynote Presentation about bone marrow failure syndromes.
A section focusing on counseling addressed specific issues that providers often lack the knowledge to discuss with their patients. In particular, information regarding genetic counseling for families when a child has an unexpected diagnosis was presented. Additionally, the “when” and “why” of cord-blood banking was discussed by the Chief of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. Mitchell S. Cairo.
Participants left the conference with the most current information regarding ways to improve identification, diagnosis, decision-making, communication, counseling and treatment when patients present with disorders that may have a genetic component. Networking breaks provided attendees opportunities to interact with faculty and exhibitors and forge collegial relationships to improve their patients’ experiences.
FEB
2020