The Greatest Care for Our Youngest Patients
At AdventHealth for Children, your child’s care will be handled by a highly skilled team of medical professionals with extensive experience in pediatric oncology and hematology. Our team has successfully treated a wide range of conditions, from leukemia and blood disorders to lymphoma and sickle cell anemia.
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Brain and Spine Tumors
There are many types of brain and spine tumors, both cancerous and benign. Our care team will work together to create an effective treatment plan, customized to your child. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, combined with counseling and support for your whole family.
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CAR T-Cell Therapy
Our pediatric cellular therapy program is the only one of its kind in Central Florida and now offers CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy for pediatric patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). This groundbreaking, FDA-approved treatment now offers hope to children with leukemia that is difficult to treat. We collect the patient’s T cells, a type of white blood cell that is part of our immune system. These cells are then reprogrammed and given back to the child, allowing them to use their own immune system to destroy the cancer cells without radiation or harsh chemotherapy. We are excited to be the only program in Central Florida to offer this innovative, lifesaving treatment option for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia patients under the age of 25 who have relapsed or refractory disease.
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Leukemia and Other Blood Disorders
Our medical professionals are dedicated to treating and healing children who suffer from cancers like leukemia and blood disorders like sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and many others. Our highly skilled teams will design the safest personalized treatment plan possible for your child. This plan may include chemotherapy, drug combinations, radiation, bone marrow transplant, or other therapies.
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Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in a child’s lymphatic tissues. It falls into two main categories: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Our specialists use the latest chemotherapy and radiation treatments to tackle this form of cancer.
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Neurofibromatosis
This condition causes tumors along the nerves and skin. At our neurofibromatosis clinic — the first and largest in the region — our experienced professionals use leading-edge equipment and therapies to treat this disorder. They are also at the forefront in the research and testing of promising new therapies.
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Pediatric Head and Neck Tumors
Head and neck tumors can grow in your glands, mouth, nose, sinuses, throat and voice box. These tumors can be either cancerous or benign. As one of the few hospitals in the nation with a dedicated Head and Neck program, our care team is committed to work with you to find the most effective treatment plan for your child’s needs.
Susan Kelly, MD
Susan Kelly, MD
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Susan Kelly, MD, is an award-winning pediatric hematologist and oncologist who has been recognized with multiple national awards and research grants for her groundbreaking clinical research and outstanding patient care. Dr. Kelly specializes in cellular therapy, including blood and marrow transplantations and CAR-T cellular therapy.
Brian Tullius, MD
Brian Tullius, MD
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Brian Tullius, MD, is a board-certified physician who specializes in cellular therapies, cancer immunotherapy, innate immunity and stem cell transplantation. Dr. Tullius completed flight surgeon training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, FL, and his pediatric hematology/oncology and cellular therapy fellowships at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Tullius has a U.S. Patent on a cellular therapy for treating microbial infections and a patent-pending for an innovative website he helped design to improve access to and awareness of clinical trials.
Christine Clarke, DO
Christine N. Clarke, DO, MA
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Christine N. Clarke, DO, MA, is a board-certified pediatric hematologist and oncologist who earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Arts in Bioethics from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Clarke cherishes forming relationships with her patients and supports them through the toughest times of their lives and during their achievements and best moments.
Fouad M. Hajjar, MD
Fouad M. Hajjar, MD
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Fouad Hajjar, MD, is board-certified in pediatric hematology and oncology. He has over 20 years of experience, including serving as the Medical Director of the Children's Center for Cancer & Blood Diseases at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute. He received his medical degree from St. Joseph's University Medical School in Beirut, Lebanon. He completed his residency at Buffalo Children's Hospital in New York, followed by his pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at Yale. 2017 Patient Experience, Top Performer, ranked in the 99th percentile nationally. Dr. Hajjar is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.
Dennis A. Borrero, MD
Dennis A. Borrero, MD
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Dennis Borrero Ramos, MD, FAAP, is board-certified and fellowship-trained in pediatric hematology and oncology with advanced expertise in pediatric bone marrow transplantation. He specializes in treating patients with chronic blood disorders as well as those who have experienced a stroke or been diagnosed with tumors or seizures. Dr. Borrero received his medical degree from Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Dr. Borrero is fluent in both English and Spanish and has the unique ability to connect with pediatric patients in a fun way that gets them involved with their own care.
Joseph Lopez, MD
Joseph Lopez, MD
Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pediatric Head and Neck Surgery
Dr. Lopez is the Chief of Pediatric Head and Neck Surgery at AdventHealth for Children and the first dual fellowship-trained head and neck surgeon and pediatric craniofacial surgeon in the United States. He is passionate about caring for children with craniofacial conditions and head and neck tumors, dedicating all his expertise to helping them reach their full potential. Utilizing cross-disciplinary techniques and technology, Dr. Lopez uses his unique training and background to provide exceptional care for children of all ages.
Matthew Henderson, DO
Matthew Henderson, DO
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Matthew Henderson, DO, is a board-certified physician with advanced fellowship training in pediatric hematology and oncology. Dr. Henderson specializes in leukemia/lymphoma, pediatric solid tumors, pediatric brain tumors, bleeding disorders, and pediatric hematology, including sickle cell disease, and enjoys working with adolescent and young adult patients to address their oncologic needs. He is fluent in English with basic language skills in Spanish.
We're on a Mission to Advance Pediatric Care
At AdventHealth for Children, we have been nationally recognized for our leadership in advanced treatments, breakthrough research, and the compassionate care of children and their families.
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Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy
Our Pediatric Cellular Therapy Program is accredited by
FACT for meeting the most rigorous standards in every
aspect of stem cell therapy. -
Top 6% in the Nation for Patient Safety
AdventHealth for Children was awarded the Top Children’s Hospital award by The Leapfrog Group as one of the nation's safest children’s hospitals — an honor earned by only eight U.S. children's hospitals.
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Magnet® Recognition
For a second time, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has granted AdventHealth for Children Magnet recognition, which establishes the hospital as a national leader in nursing and patient care. Only 7% of the nation’s hospitals have received this recognition.