The Bone Marrow Transplant Team

“I was taken care of. And I was cared about. I could tell it was more than just a job for them.” – D.G.

Bone marrow and stem cell transplant care at St.Vincent is provided by a multidisciplinary team that includes:

PHYSICIANS:

• Reumu Birhiray, M.D. – Medical Director, Bone Marrow Transplant Program
  Dr. Birhiray is a medical oncologist in the St.Vincent Bone Marrow Transplant Program. Prior to joining St.Vincent in 2003, Dr. Birhiray was the director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Marshfield Cancer Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He earned his M.D. from the University of Benin, Nigeria and completed an internal medicine residency at Columbus Hospital (an affiliate of Northwestern University) in Chicago. He completed fellowships in bone marrow transplant and medical oncology at Johns Hopkins University and The National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
  

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT COORDINATOR

• Amy Kyle, RN, BSN
  As the transplant coordinator, Amy uses her oncology nursing experience to coordinate patient enrollment in the program. She acts as the primary liaison between home care service, your primary oncologist  and the bone marrow transplant physician. In addition to coordinating pre- and post-transplant care, Amy provides patient care for those hospitalized for their transplant. 

LICSENSED NURSES

• The nurses on the bone marrow transplant team are specifically trained in treating patients receiving high dose chemotherapy and bone marrow/stem cell transplants.
  

CASE MANAGER

• Your case manager will work with your insurance company to identify what your plan benefits are and how to best use them in the course of your treatment.
  

PHARMACIST

• From the conditioning phase high-dose chemotherapy to immunosuppressive drugs you may require, the pharmacist plays an important role on the transplant team.

DIETITIANS

• It is the job of the dietitians to help plan your nutrition so that your body can best withstand the transplant procedure and begin recovery as soon as possible.
  
  • There are specific dietary guidelines for people undergoing bone marrow transplantation. 
  • People undergoing bone marrow transplants are especially susceptible to bacteria that can be transmitted through food and drink. For that reason, there are some specific guidelines that your dietitian will give you. 

HOME CARE NURSE

• Your home care nurse will visit you at home as necessary after your treatment to monitor your progress. He or she will communicate your progress and any changes in your condition to your physician.
  

SOCIAL WORKER

• The social worker on your transplant team will plan and coordinate your transfer home from the hospital and help make sure you have the equipment and services you will need.
  

Other members of your team may include:

• Radiation oncologist - A radiation oncologist is a physician who specializes in treating cancers with the use of radiation.
  
• Physical therapist - The conditioning phase and the time after treatment that you may spend resting can lead to loss of muscle mass. It is the job of the physical therapist to help you maintain as much muscle strength and control as possible throughout your treatment.
  
• Mental health - This is a very trying time in your life. Often, it helps to have someone who is not a friend or family member to talk to about your fears and other feelings about your illness and treatment.
  
• Pastoral care - Many people find it comforting to turn to their faith at times of crisis. At St.Vincent, we support your faith journey by making members of our own Pastoral Care Team available to you throughout your treatment. Of course, your own clergy or faith leader is welcome to visit you when your physician determines it is safe for you to have visitors.