Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy Program

Pediatric Hematology Oncology Group Photo

The UF Health Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT) and Cell Therapy Program offers novel treatments to patients with high-risk malignancies, immunological disorders, and bone marrow failure syndromes that are not available anywhere else in this region. Our team is known for our highly patient-centric, holistic approach, leading to outstanding treatment outcomes.

Our program was the first in Florida to receive accreditation from the Foundation for Accreditation of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (FACT).

The Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy Program, in collaboration with the UF Health Cancer Center, uses a multidisciplinary patient care approach that optimizes patient outcomes and satisfaction. We are affiliated with Children’s Oncology Group, NAPAAC, Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, and initiated the Florida pediatric bone marrow transplant and cell therapy consortium.

Our program has successfully performed stem cell transplantation to treat a broad variety of malignant and benign hematologic disorders, including but not limited to:

  • Acute leukemia, chronic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Severe aplastic anemia
  • Inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, including Fanconi anemia, Dyskeratosis Congenita, Schwachmann Diamond, Diamond Blackfan Anemia
  • Hemoglobinopathies, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease
  • Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
  • Primary immunodeficiencies: Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), Common Variable Immune Deficiency
  • Inherited metabolic disorders
  • Brain Tumors
  • Refractory Solid Tumors

We are advancing care through Car-T Cell Therapy, institutional clinical trials, and collaborative trials. We provide cellular graft manipulation techniques to overcome limitations associated with stem cell transplantation.  We have dedicated researchers working to advance the field of cellular therapy and provide precision medicine in the future.


Our Team

Jordan Milner

Jordan Milner MD

Pediatric BMT And Cellular Therapy Program Director

Biljana Horn

Biljana Horn M.D.

Clinical Professor; Stop Children's Cancer/Bonnie R. Freeman Professorship For Pediatric Oncology Research

Paul Castillo

Paul Castillo M.D.

Assistant Professor

Mansi Dalal

Mansi Dalal MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

John A Fort

John A Fort M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

John A Ligon

John A Ligon MD

Assistant Professor

Key Players

Connie Alford
Department: MD-PEDS-HEMATOLOGY

Connie Alford ARNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Phone: (352) 273-9121
Autumn H Citta
Department: MD-PEDS-HEMATOLOGY

Autumn H Citta ARNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Phone: (352) 273-9120
Natalie M Dotson

Natalie M Dotson

Coord Bone Marrow Trans
Emilie J Lynch

Emilie J Lynch

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Giselle J Moore-Higgs
Department: MD-PEDS-HEMATOLOGY

Giselle J Moore-Higgs APRN, PhD

Clinical Programs, Asst Dir 4
Phone: (352) 273-9050

Researchers

Christopher R Cogle
Department: MD-HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY

Christopher R Cogle M.D.

Professor
Phone: (352) 273-7832
Catherine Flores
Department: MD-NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY

Catherine Flores

Associate Professor
Phone: (352) 273-9000
Michael J Haller
Department: MD-PEDS-ENDOCRINOLOGY

Michael J Haller M.D.

Professor And Chief
Phone: (352) 273-9264
Jianping Huang
Department: MD-NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY

Jianping Huang

Associate Professor
Phone: (352) 273-6835
Duane A Mitchell
Department: MD-NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY

Duane A Mitchell M.D., Ph.D.

Director – UF Clinical And Translational Science Institute; Assistant Vice President For Research – University Of Florida; Associate Dean – UF College Of Medicine
Phone: (352) 273-8880
Elias Sayour
Department: MD-NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY

Elias Sayour MD, PhD

Stop Children's Cancer/Bonnie R. Freeman Professor For Pediatric Oncology Research; Assistant Dean
Phone: (352) 273-9000
William Slayton
Department: MD-PEDS-HEMATOLOGY

William Slayton M.D.

Professor
Phone: (352) 273-9120
John R Wingard
Department: MD-HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY

John R Wingard M.D.

Professor Emeritus, Former Deputy Director Of UF Health Cancer Center, And Former Director Of Bone Marrow Transplant Program
Phone: (352) 256-4033