Our Expertise

Sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder that can result in recurrent, painful episodes (vaso occlusive events).  The disease also results in increased vulnerability to infections, organ damage, and early death. We have the latest treatments for our patients to offer at our center including crizanlizumab, bone marrow transplants, and the newly FDA approved gene therapy. Our state of the art infusion center can provide intravenous fluids, pain medications, and antibiotics, allowing our children to be treated without having to go to the emergency department.

Research

We are actively pursuing new agents to treat sickle cell disease as well as new approaches to alleviate the physical and emotional suffering. Our goal, in partnership with prominent scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and pharmaceutical industries, is to find new treatments for sickle cell disease. Our patients have the opportunity to be actively involved in industry sponsored and federally funded national clinical trials to explore new treatment methods. These include strategies for improved adherence to medication and transition to adult care. We are dedicated to ensuring that our patients receive the highest standard of care by utilizing robust and ongoing quality improvement interventions. By working with our colleagues at the Center for Health Data Innovations we are studying how to incorporate machine learning into our algorithms to optimize care delivery. We are members of the National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers and the American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative to further the understanding of how to best care for children with sickle cell disease. 

Our Team

CHAM provides comprehensive, compassionate, multimodal and individualized care to over 600 children with sickle cell anemia. A team of dedicated hematologists, pain specialists, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and child life therapists works closely together to bring innovative care to each of our patients from birth through adulthood.

Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Team
Kerry A. Morrone, MD, MS
Director, Pediatric Sickle Cell Program

Kaitlin L. Strumph, DO, MS
Assistant Director, Pediatric Sickle Cell Program

Child & Family Psychologist
Caryn Rodgers, PhD

Nurse Practitioners
Christina McGrisken, DNP
Janine Shaver, FNP
Dylan Stein, DNP
Jeidy Vazquez, FNP

Social Workers
Katherine Schlesier, LMSW
Mikaela Roca, LMSW, MPH

Research Staff
Karen Ireland 
Rosa Nieves