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Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT)

The Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT), our nationally-recognized palliative care service, provides an extra layer of support — healing, comfort and quality of life — to the care of children with serious illness and their families. We consult with families and primary care teams to bring together information and guidance needed to make the best health care decisions for each child.

How We Help

  • Easing pain and managing symptoms and side effects
  • Fostering communication between families and health care providers
  • Coordinating inpatient, outpatient, and home care services

Our Experts

Our care team includes:

  • Physicians with advanced training in palliative care
  • A nurse practitioner with extensive experience providing pediatric palliative care
  • A social worker with expertise in emotional support and community resources
  • Dedicated spiritual care services
  • Other pediatric specialists as needed

We consider you and your child to be integral parts of the care team and not simply recipients of care. We work closely with you to customize a plan of care for your child.

    Our Services

    Our Pediatric Advanced Care Team has served as a model program for pediatric institutions around the United States. Abby Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA, our Division Chief and medical director, is nationally recognized for her pediatric palliative care expertise.

    Rosenberg and other members of the team participate in regional and national efforts to improve care for children with advanced illness.

    The Pediatric Advanced Care Team's services include:

    Consultation
    PACT members will work closely with your child, family, and primary care team to develop a comprehensive quality-of-life care plan. We do not replace your child's primary care team; rather, we support treatment of the illness and at the same time strive for optimal quality of life.

    During your consultation, we will evaluate factors such as your child's feelings and health, your family's needs, and the care team's medical plan in order to make the best possible recommendations. Our clinicians can meet with your child and family at the hospital, at one of our outpatient facilities, or at your home.

    Education
    Our team members want your child and family to make educated decisions. We are available to talk with you and provide educational resources on a variety of topics, including communication and decision-making, pain and symptom management, palliative care, hospice and home care, family dynamics, sibling issues, school interactions, and spiritual concerns.

    Support
    It's important that your child and family have support both at the hospital and when you return home. We can help identify supportive agencies and community-based organizations. In addition, we can provide emotional and psychosocial support, and help arrange end-of-life care when necessary.

    A consultation can be arranged at any time during your child's treatment. Our team is available to provide consultation 24 hours a day.

    The Care Team

    Our staff of compassionate and experienced pediatric specialists includes clinicians and other healthcare providers with expertise in palliative care, symptom management, complementary medicine, and interfaith spiritual care.

    Our clinicians are focused on family-centered care. From your first visit, you'll work with a team of professionals who are committed to supporting your family's physical and emotional needs.

    • James Tulsky, MD — Chair, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care; Interim Division Chief of Pediatric Palliative Care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Director of Palliative Care at Boston Children's Hospital
    • Abby Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA — Chief, Pediatric Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Director, Pediatric Palliative Care, Boston Children's Hospital
    • Christina Ullrich, MD, MPH — Clinical Director
    • Jennifer Snaman, MD — Attending Physician
    • Shih-Ning Liaw, MD, FAAP — Attending Physician
    • Terrance Murphy, MD — Attending Physician
    • Elliot Rabinowitz, MD — Attending Physician
    • Lauren Cramer, LCSW — Clinical Social Worker
    • Jenna Freitas, CPNP — Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
    • Chelsea Heneghan, MSN, CPNP-PC, CPHON — Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
    • Marsha Joselow, LICSW, MSW — Clinical Social Worker and Pediatric Palliative Care Social Work Fellowship Director
    • Nicholas Purol, LICSW, MSW — Clinical Social Worker
    • Katelyn Stevens, RN, BSN - Program Nurse
    • Alenairam Mejia — Program Coordinator
    • Carole O'Neil — Program Manager
    Pediatric Palliative Medicine Fellows
    • Annie Chen, MD
    • Andrew McReynolds, MD
    Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Fellow
    • Angelli Aguiliar, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, CPHON
    Pediatric Social Work Fellow
    • Eleanor Frechette, LCSW, MSW
    Contact Us

    The Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) is available 24 hours a day.

    Phone

    • Monday-Friday – Call our office at 617-632-5042
    • For urgent matters or after hours – Call the page operator and ask for "PACT clinician on call:

    Email

    • PactA@dfci.harvard.edu – for children with neonatal, neurological, metabolic or genetic conditions
    • PactB@dfci.harvard.edu – for children with cancer, cardiac, pulmonary, or renal conditions, or solid organ transplant candidates or recipients

    The Pediatric Advanced Care Team provides consultations in inpatient, outpatient, and home settings.
     

    Mailing address
    Pediatric Advanced Care Team
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
    450 Brookline Avenue, SW 411
    Boston, MA 02215

    Pediatric Palliative Care

    This American Cancer Society video shares how our Pediatric Advanced Care Team is helping children with cancer survive and thrive.

    More Information on Childhood Palliative Care