Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers held its inaugural “No one fights alone: enhancing nursing care of the pediatric hematology/oncology patient” conference at Texas Children’s last month. The conference provided pediatric hematology/oncology nurses with opportunities for professional enrichment and to gain industry connections to help improve the overall health and outcomes of their patients.
More than 70 participants from hospitals all across the southern region of the U.S. were in attendance and educated on the current and emerging trends in care such as popular diagnostic features, revolutionary therapies and recommended symptom management.
Numerous sessions were held during the three-day event, including a presentation on the latest therapy treatment for neuroblastoma, a survivor panel and a discussion about Texas Children’s work on the inclusion of screening for severe combined immune deficiencies in the Texas state newborn screening. This newborn screening has led to early detection and successful treatment with bone marrow transplants here at Texas Children’s. Participants also enjoyed a session on symptom management for pediatric oncology patients by keynote speaker, Dr. Marilyn Hockenberry.
Hockenberry currently serves as the associate dean for research at the Duke University School of Nursing and has over 30 years of experience in pediatric oncology nursing, almost 20 of which were spent at Texas Children’s. She was the first director and pioneer of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and introduced the NP post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) procedure team and the NP graduate fellowship program.
The conference concluded with a special, inspirational performance by Purple Songs Can Fly, a partner of the Periwinkle Arts In Medicine program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers that provides patients the opportunity to write, record and share their own songs.