Areas of Expertise:
Solid tumors, Bone and soft tissue sarcomas
My area of interest is in pediatric sarcomas, a subset of solid tumors. The majority of my time is spent in clinical care and improving our global approach to sarcomas. I am working on building up the sarcoma program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to ensure we have a team approach to these complicated tumors in children, and to integrate the best new and established treatments for these patients.
At Children's Hospital, we are first and foremost a family care center. I work to educate families and patients to understand the diagnosis and treatment plan so everyone is on the same page. I talk to families about the process and have them participate in the child's care. I also include the child in the discussion, in an age appropriate manner.
We are creating a team structure at Children's Hospital to bring innovative treatment to our patients. Our sarcoma physicians and researchers meet frequently to ensure that each patient is receiving the latest and best treatment protocols. We also have hired our first nurse practitioner, who specializes in sarcomas.
Children's Hospital has the unique capacity to take care of complicated patients with sarcomas. We have outstanding clinical care and a close relationship with our colleagues who are advancing our understanding and treatment of these challenging tumors.
MD - Yale University, New Haven, CT
Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA
Pediatrics - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA
Hematology/Oncology - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA
Pediatric Hematology-OncologyPediatrics
Columbia University, NY
Attending Physician
Medical Director, Medication Safety
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Proton versus photon radiation therapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma: the need for a customized approach. Hill-Kayser C, Tochner Z, Both S, Lustig R, Reilly A, Balamuth N, Womer R, Maris J, Grupp S, Bagatell R. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013 Oct;60(10):1606-11. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24606. Epub 2013 Jun 4. PMID: 23737005
Use of rituximab in conjunction with immunosuppressive chemotherapy as a novel therapy for Epstein Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Balamuth NJ, Nichols KE, Paessler M, Teachey DT. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2007 Aug;29(8):569-73.
Kazak AE, Alderfer MA, Rodriguez A. Psychological issues in cancer survival in pediatric populations. In Miller S, Bowen D, Croyle R, Rowland J, editors. Handbook of behavioral science and cancer. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2008. p.449-65.
Pentz RD, Haight AE, Noll RB, Barfield R, Pelletier W, Davies S, et al. The ethical justification for a minor sibling bone marrow donation: a case study. The Oncologist. 2008. p. 148-51.
2008 & 2009, Hyundai Hope on Wheels Clinical Scholar, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2007, Amgen Hematology & Oncology Fellowship Award, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2006, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Young Investigator Award, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2005, Anne E. Dyson Advocacy Award, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2002, Louis G. Welt Outstanding Thesis Award, Yale University
2012-present, Epic Clinical Champion, Oncology
2006-present , American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
2006-present , American Society of Clinical Oncology
2006-present , American Association for Cancer Research
2006-present , American Society of Hematology
2002-present , American Academy of Pediatrics