To optimally address medical issues related to sickle cell disease, a multidisciplinary team consisting of a physician (pediatric hematologist), pain specialist (anesthesiologist), registered nurse, social worker, psychologist, dietician, school liason, and clinic coordinator collaborate to spearhead each patient’s specific issues, providing expert consultations and long-term management for the most comprehensive care. A written comprehensive plan is completed with recommendations from our multidisciplinary team.

We carefully review with you and your family the meaning of a positive newborn sickle cell screen. We provide in-depth education, and also provide genetic counseling, which includes a discussion of implications of future pregnancies.

For more information about our multidisciplinary approach to caring for kids with sickle cell disease, view the video “Multidisciplinary Approaches to Caring for Sickle Cell Patients: An Interview With Dr. Sharon Singh".

School Support

We frequently communicate with patients’ schools (preK through college) throughout the calendar year to help educate teachers, principals and school/college counselors about sickle cell disease and its impact on school performance, absences, and ways to keep the student safe and healthy (staying warm, drinking lots of fluids, allowing rest between activities).

Schedule an appointment by calling us at 734-936-9814.

A Pediatric hematology nurse is available during the week by phone to discuss home management or minor illnesses as well as provide support or education between visits. A pediatric hematologist/oncologist is available by paging 24 hours/day 365 days/year at 734-936-6267 (ask for the pediatric hematologist/oncologist on-call).

We are leaders in research and innovative work that aims to better understand the complications of sickle cell disease and find new treatments for patients. Recent studies from the laboratories of James Douglas Engel, Ph.D., and Rami Khoriaty, M.D., have focused on identifying strategies to increase fetal hemoglobin (the type of hemoglobin that babies have, which has natural anti-sickling effects). Their studies are uncovering new important pathways for fetal hemoglobin regulation with the goal of testing new medicines to prevent sickling. 

Another major effort is led by Sarah Reeves, Ph.D., M.P.H., who is in charge of a statewide surveillance system funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The objectives of this program are to identify and follow individuals with sickle cell disease, strengthening relationships in the sickle cell disease community across the state. 

In addition, collaborative sickle cell research is ongoing in various laboratories and clinics across our campus to study chronic pain, bone marrow transplantation, vaccine response, blood flow, use of lung ultrasound and quality improvement, among others. Patients also have access to selected clinical trials testing promising new treatments for sickle cell disease.