Jane Dunleavy is a senior Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation at Columbia University Medical Center. Here she reflects on all she has experienced as a pediatric oncology nurse in the last three decades. This year marks 32 years since I started as an RN at Columbia Presbyterian
Childhood Cancer Research: The Ultimate Summer Job
This past summer there were two young lab assistants in Dr. Andrew Kung’s lab: Avery Hoffman and Jordana Cohen. Avery is a survivor of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – and the Youth Chair of the Hope & Heroes Walk – who had some trepidation about returning to the hospital. Jordana is a longtime supporter of childhood cancer. She has
Awareness Starts With You
The funds raised by Hope & Heroes are in greatest part directed to Columbia University for clinical programs and research. However, we do have donor-directed funds that we use to help patient families with immediate financial needs resulting from illness. Working with hospital social workers and other staff to help pay for
An Unforgettable Summer at MLS
Kenneth Nurse was 17 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Now 23, he is a patient of Jennifer Levine, MD, at our Center for Survivor Wellness. He is currently a student at CUNY Brooklyn majoring in Psychology and is also a huge soccer fan. First, let me tell you, this has been a wonderful
A Fond Farewell To Barbara Marco
If you’ve ever come to our clinic on a Monday or a Friday, you will be familiar with our Arts In Medicine program, which provides our patients and families with deeply engaging art projects that can transform their treatment experience. This week we bid a fond farewell to artist-in-residence Barbara Marco, a driving force
My CancerCon Experience: “Why not me?”
I am 17 years old and I am a seven-year survivor of stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma! I am from New Jersey and I was treated right here at Columbia University Medical Center. I recently attended Stupid Cancer’s CancerCon conference in Denver, Colorado in April. My experience was nothing short of amazing, eye opening, and life
Instagram Inspiration
Social media outlets like Instagram are often seen as frivolous, just endless selfies or pictures of glamorous meals and travel. But in the world of childhood cancer and blood disorders, these channels can be a lifeline. When a child is treated for a serious illness, an extended network of patients, families and medical professionals is created. Social
The Parents’ Room: Billy’s Birthday
Editor’s Note: A few weeks ago, our founder, Dr. Michael Weiner, received a birthday party invitation that had him near tears. It was from the family of a patient named Billy Cameron, whom he had treated over 35 years ago. “Billy was a great kid with a smile and wonderful attitude,” Dr. Weiner told us, “I’m
A Fellows Graduation Photo Album
Becoming a doctor is a long process – and becoming a specialist takes even longer. After medical school comes internship, residency and then fellowship. As an academic medical center, training the next generation of physicians is an important part of Columbia University Medical Center’s mission. Fellowship to become a pediatric oncologist or hematologist takes three
The Extra Mile
The extra mile is the road always taken by our doctors, nurses, and staff. There is very little they won’t do to make our patients’ lives easier. Take Dr. Jennifer Levine, one of our oncologists and the Director of the Center for Survivor Wellness. In talking to one of her patient families, she learned that their son