Photo courtesy of EHMC
(northjersey.com) – Dr. Burton Appel remembers when he wrote a college letter of recommendation for a patient. Not an uncommon request for most physicians. But this one is particularly noteworthy for Dr. Appel.
When the now college sophomore was three years old, Dr. Appel treated him for leukemia. The boy, Peter Bernhard, 19, of Waldwick, has been in remission for years and is considered cured of the disease.
It is such a pleasure to see him grow and develop into the young man he is,” said Dr. Appel, attending physician in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (Children’s Cancer Institute), Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack.
Bernhard, who sees Dr. Appel once a year for follow ups, said the treatment process was upbeat thanks to Dr. Appel.
“He even helped make it fun. He’d race me down the halls,” Bernhard, who attends Stockton University said. “He’s not just my doctor. He’s also my friend.”
A diagnosis of pediatric leukemia, or other childhood blood disorders, can be devastating news to a family. However, hospitals, such as HackensackUMC, offer advanced methods of treatment in an area of the facility designed specifically for children and their families. Hospitals, including HackensackUMC and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, in Englewood, also help children deal with the emotional impact of various types of medical testing, exams and treatments.
The research team at HackensackUMC’s Children’s Cancer Institute has access to more than 100 clinical trials. The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital provides medical and surgical pediatric care in more than 30 specialties, including blood and marrow transplantation, cardiology and pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Dr. Appel said he helps children from newborn to the young adult age of 22.