Addressing the Challenges of Complex Pediatric Illness
through Innovation and Compassion.
Cancer | Heart | Neuroscience

CHOC Cancer Institute Team

The CHOC Cancer Institute has brought together a team of professionals specially trained to support pediatric and adolescent patients with cancer. We combine extensive training and experience with true compassionate care, giving patients and their families peace of mind knowing they are in good, loving hands.

Pediatric Oncologists

Our pediatric oncologists specialize in the care of children with cancer or blood disorders. One of CHOC’s pediatric oncologists serves as the primary physician for the patient. Although there are other doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners involved in the medical management of the patient, the primary oncologist is ultimately responsible for all major decisions regarding his or her medical care. The primary oncologist is responsible for coordinating consultations with other services as well as making the major decisions on the child’s treatment plan. The primary oncologist allows the family to identify one physician with whom they will plan their child’s care.

Meet Our Physicians

Leonard Sender, M.D.
Medical Director of the CHOC Cancer Institute

Leonard Sender, M.D. is PSF Chief of Oncology, Medical Director of The CHOC Cancer Institute Center in Orange. Dr. Sender is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. He served his fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. He completed both his residency and internship at UCI Medical Center in Orange. Dr. Sender received his medical training at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Sender has developed the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program at CHOC.

Ivan Kirov, M.D.
Ivan Kirov, M.D. is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist specializing in bone marrow transplantation and cell therapy. Dr. Kirov is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. He received his medical training at the Medical Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology. He served his residency at New York Medical College in Valhalla and completed his second hematology/oncology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Dr. Kirov directs the Recurrent Cancer Program at CHOC.

Steven Neudorf, M.D.
Clinical Director of the CHOC Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Steven Neudorf, M.D. has specialized expertise in stem-cell transplantation. He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. Dr. Neudorf served his fellowship, residency and internship through the University of Minnesota. He received his medical training at University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School, in Illinois.

Violet Shen, M.D.
Clinical Director of the CHOC Research Program, pediatric hematologist/oncologist Violet Shen, M.D. provides expertise in neuro-oncology and new-agent clinical trials. Dr. Shen is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. She served a fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She completed her residency and internship at Cornell Medical College – North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City, respectively. Dr. Shen received her medical training at National Taiwan University in Taipei. She also speaks Chinese. Dr. Shen manages the Neuro Oncology Clinic at CHOC.

Lilibeth Torno, M.D.
Dr. Lilibeth Torno leads the Ambulatory Care Services of The CHOC Cancer Institute and directs the CHOC Long Term Follow-up Clinic for survivors of childhood cancer. The outpatient clinic provides comprehensive care of children undergoing chemotherapy, as well as those who have completed therapy. She is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology and oncology. Dr. Torno completed her fellowship training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. She completed her residency at CHOC. She attended medical school at University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Phillipines. Dr. Torno also speaks Filipino.

Nursing Team

Our nurses are among the finest in the country. Many of our nurses are master’s prepared, and all have specialized training in pediatric oncology, holding the highly respected Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON) designation. They are chemotherapy certified, and have Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification. Meet our nurses:

Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Oversees the Oncology and Bone and Marrow Transplantation programs at The CHOC Cancer Institute.
• Coordinates the patient family education program, maintaining current material on various diagnoses and information.
• Involved in the patient’s initial consultation, and keeps in touch with families throughout the entire diagnosis and treatment process to answer any questions they may have.
• Monitors the ongoing training of the nursing oncology staff.

Clinical Educators

• Assist with staff education, and family-patient education.

Nurse Practitioners

• Assist with handling admissions and discharges, physical assessment procedures and provide hands-on care of the patient.
• Share information about diagnoses, treatment plans and progress with the physician, family, nursing staff and other team members.
  

Nursing Staff (all are Registered Nurses – RNs)

• Deliver daily care of the patient, working alongside nurses’ aides who have experience with cancer patients.
• Assigned to the patient’s care throughout a designated shift – usually 12 hours in length.
• Monitors child frequently for changes in condition and responses to treatment.
• Informs other health team members of the child’s needs as necessary.
• Gives medication, treatments, daily care, support and patient/family education.

Charge Nurse

• Oversees the day-to-day operation of the oncology unit.
• Serves as the family contact to answer nursing-related questions or concerns.

Nurse Coordinator

• Coordinates the care of every new patient, ensuring that individuals receive the full continuum of care that is seamless – especially in the transfer from the inpatient unit to outpatient services.
• Responsible for bridging nursing care between the inpatient and outpatient settings, ensuring that transition to the next level of care is smooth.

Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse Coordinators

• Meets with parents prior to a child’s transplant and reviews what will happen throughout the procedure.
• Communicates and coordinates all pre-testing and evaluations that are required prior to transplant.
• Also available in the clinic after the child has been discharged from the hospital to assist in the child’s follow-up and home care needs.

Case Manager

• This is a nurse who follows each child’s case and makes recommendations for optimal utilization of resources.
• Works “behind the scenes” to coordinate the activity necessary to provide for a smooth discharge from the hospital.
• Often has regular contact with the child’s insurance company to keep it updated on the child’s status.

Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) or Associate (CRA)

• This is a nurse who records and maintains “roadmaps” (treatment plans) for all oncology patients.
• Collects and coordinates required data for patients’ tests, pathology and radiology reports, and the dates and doses of chemotherapy given for each course of treatment.

Our Specialty Staff

In addition to physicians and nurses, The CHOC Institute is staffed with specially trained individuals who are focused on providing compassionate care to patients battling cancer.

Child Life Specialists

• Focus on the emotional and developmental needs of patients and their families at The CHOC Cancer Institute.
• Use play and other forms of communication to reduce the stress and decrease the anxiety surrounding the cancer experience, and enable children and families to cope in a positive manner.
• Assess the psychosocial needs of patients and families, and provide appropriate therapeutic activities to meet the wide array of unique individual needs.

Respiratory Therapists

• Evaluate, treat and care for cancer patients who also have breathing disorders.
• They work both at the bedside and in the outpatient setting.

Dieticians

• Involved with the nutritional aspects of the child’s care.
• Keep a height and weight record, follows laboratory values during hospital admissions, and watches how well the child is eating and drinking.
• Understand how chemotherapy affects both appetite and how food is absorbed, and work carefully with the cancer team to ensure that patients receive the nutrition they need.
• They play an integral part of the care team – accompanying physicians on rounds, working with the pharmacists, and interacting with nurses to provide the best nutrition possible.

Physical Therapists/Occupational Therapists/Speech Therapists

• Travel to the bedside and also work with patients in the outpatient setting.
• Physical therapists teach exercises and physical activities that help condition muscles of cancer patients, restoring strength and movement. An individualized exercise program is developed and used to help with walking, sitting or using the hands or arms.
• Occupational therapists teach patients how to master activities of daily living.
• Speech therapists help cancer patients address their communication and swallowing problems.

Pain management/anesthesiologists

• Offer the finest in pain management to make children as comfortable as possible.
• Provide brief general anesthetics for several diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, especially for newly diagnosed and younger children.
• Teach children ways to cope with physical discomforts such as nausea and pain via management techniques including education, relaxation, biofeedback and guided imagery.
• Available on an inpatient and outpatient basis to help our Institute patients.

Social Workers

• Assist patients and families in coping with the physical and psychological challenges of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
• Help children and other family members understand and adapt to the changes in their live.
• Answer questions in both English and Spanish regarding finances, insurance and discharge planning.

Psychologists

• Possess special expertise in diagnostic testing, therapy, counseling for common emotional problems associated with cancer.
• Are available for consultations with parents, schools, physicians and other healthcare providers.

Clinical Pharmacist

• Responsible for monitoring drug therapy, which is especially necessary in patients who are hospitalized since each responds to medication in a different way.
• Along with the doctor, will watch for changes in the child’s condition that might affect the way a drug works.
• Evaluates the individual ingredients that make up the total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions used for intravenous nutrition.
• Updates the nursing and medical staff on new drugs and how they are given.

Chaplain

• Provides pastoral counseling, prayers, rituals and a presence during times of stress and struggle.
  

For more information about The CHOC Institutes,
please email us at institutes@choc.org
or call (800) 329-2900.