A Beacon of Hope: Tampa General’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program

When a parent is told that their child has cancer, the diagnosis is every parent’s worst nightmare — a moment when the world stops and the heart sinks. Yet amid the blur of fear, confusion and uncertainty, a beacon of hope shines brightly, thanks to the outstanding care of the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program.

Housed inside Tampa General Hospital’s (TGH’s) main hospital and infused with all the cutting-edge resources and care that make TGH stand tall statewide and beyond, the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program offers a comprehensive range of hematology and oncology services.

As the country marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, residents of the Tampa Bay area and around Florida continue to have access to a broad range of leading-edge treatments.

How Does Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program Work?

The Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program provides individualized care for young patients with solid tumors, cancers of the blood or bone marrow, congenital immune system deficiencies and other hematologic conditions, such as anemia, hemophilia and bone marrow failure.

“What sets us apart is our team,” says Dr. Andrew Galligan, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Tampa General and a past winner of Tampa Magazine’s Top Doctors List for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

“Parents come to us understandably shocked and devastated by what is happening to their child. But once they get to know our team, we form a genuine connection. We get to know them beyond their cancer care and medicines — and learn about their needs as patients and as a family. That personalized, patient-focused care makes all the difference — and makes the families and patients part of our team.”

From the outset, TGH’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program brings in skilled and sensitive ancillary team members, including psychologists, social workers, child life specialists and other therapists. Our dedicated Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nurse practitioner works closely with the families to provide guidance and education regarding their child’s diagnosis.

TGH has received Magnet recognition four times in a row, showing our expert nursing care and continuous focus on quality improvement. Our team members schedule and track all the patients’ infusions, ensuring that patients receive their treatment on time, and giving their family a sense of ease in such a challenging time.

“We all have different roles, and the message is that ‘everyone is here for you and will support you through this journey,’” Dr. Galligan says. This dedicated support team is only a phone call away should any questions arise.

On a grander scale, one of the program’s distinct benefits is that Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH is akin to a hospital within a hospital. All the providers and specialists and the clinical team receive substantial support from TGH’s adult side, including the TGH Cancer Institute, ranked in the top 50 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

“Our primary focus is quality care from an experienced multidisciplinary team, providing great outcomes for our pediatric and adolescent patients,” says Melissa Golombek, vice president, Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH and TGH Women’s Institute. “All of this sets us apart as the best choice to care for your child in the Tampa Bay region when the unthinkable occurs.”

*Presented by Tampa General Hospital | Originally published in the September 2024 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.