Two Nationally Recognized Pediatric Leaders Join NYU Langone

Elizabeth A. Raetz, MD

Elizabeth A. Raetz, MD

The Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and Perlmutter Cancer Center recently welcomed 2 new leaders in pediatric oncology. Elizabeth A. Raetz, MD, has joined the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology as director, as well as medical director of the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Theodore P. Nicolaides, MD, has joined as director of pediatric neuro-oncology.

Theodore P. Nicolaides, MD

Theodore P. Nicolaides, MD

Previously, Raetz served as a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics and director of the Leukemia Program at the University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital. She also served as an investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Prior to these positions, Raetz was a faculty member at NYU Langone.

“I look forward to reconnecting with the faculty, staff, and families at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and continuing my strong collaboration with William L. Carroll, MD, the Julie and Edward J. Minskoff Professor of Pediatrics, and colleagues working to further increase our success rates in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young adults,” Raetz said.

Her research currently focuses on the fundamental challenges in treatment of a type of childhood leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her research also looks at the development of novel strategies for children with high-risk or recurrent disease.

Nicholaides was previously the assistant professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He also served as director of the UCSF Brain Tumor Research Center Preclinical Core.

His research looks at novel treatments for patients with brain tumors. He strives to preserve mental capacities and enable normal development in his patients.

These nationally recognized leaders will be treating patients at the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood disorders. This facility is expecting to open a new, state-of-the-art Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in June 2018.

“It is an exciting time to welcome both Dr. Raetz and Dr. Nicolaides,” Catherine Manno, MD, the Pat and John Rosenwald professor of pediatrics and chair of the Department of Pediatrics, said in a statement.

Benjamin G. Neel, MD, PhD, director of Perlmutter Cancer Center, is also looking forward to the addition of these 2 leaders. He said, “Their work at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and Perlmutter Cancer Center will help to advance the field of pediatric cancer care, improving the standard of care and the quality of life of our patients.”

Raetz has published a number of studies in leading peer-reviewed journals. She is also a member of the American Society of Hematology and the Children’s Oncology Group Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Disease Committee. She is also the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Committee Vice Chair. This position involves overseeing the development of clinical trials.

“I am thrilled to return to NYU Langone to lead the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology,” Raetz said.

Nicholaides has also authored several publications for peer-reviewed journals and is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, the Society for Neuro-Oncology, and the International Society of Pediatric Oncology.

“I am honored to join an institution with such a longstanding reputation as a leader in the treatment of brain tumors and skull base tumors,” Nicholaides said. “NYU Langone’s commitment to pairing translational research with world-class clinical care mirrors my own, and I look forward to seeing what further strides we can make in developing new targeted therapies for pediatric brain tumor patients.”