Spring 2011 - SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center

Q&AWilliam Ferguson, M.D.Division Director of Hematology-Oncology12Q: Why did you choose to specialize in Hematology-Oncology? What do you like best about your job?A: Part of what attracted me to Hematology-Oncologywas the challenge of skillfully providing very intensive andcomplex medical care to children with life-threateningdiseases. However, unlike certain other specialties where thisis also true (such as critical care or neonatology), we also getto have the same sort of close, long-term relationship thatprimary care physicians value so much. There’s nothing quitelike a visit from a former patient who is not only cured ofwhat was once incurable cancer, but who is now showing offtheir own child!Q: How does the Division of Hematology-Oncology workas a team to provide the best possible care for patients?A: The entire team of physicians, nurse practitioners, andoutpatient nurses meet every day to discuss all of the patientsseen that day either in the hospital or in the Costas Center.This allows us to regularly stay informed on our entire patientpopulation and get everybody’s input on how to best care forour patients. We also meet very frequently with our affiliatedspecialists – social workers, psychologists, child life specialists,etc. – in order to get their perspective and to identify patientsand families who would benefit from their special skills.In addition, we have several multi-disciplinary clinics thatincorporate other medical specialists, with the same goalof providing timely and cooperative care for these complexpatients.Q: How does your Division keep in contact with yourpatients’ primary care physicians?A: For efficiency, we stay in contact by routinely e-mailingor faxing our own documentation. This keeps the primaryphysician up to date, but avoids the delay of regular mail. Weused to rely more on phone calls; but as practices have gottenbusier, we try to avoid taking busy doctors away from theirpatients, unless it is an urgent manner.Q: Do you have a particular patient care philosophy thathas guided you throughout your career?A: Very simple – we should strive to treat our patients andfamilies the same way we would want ourselves and our ownchildren to be treated.To reach Dr. Ferguson,please call: 314-577-5638To reach the Bob CostasCancer Center, please call:314-268-4000