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Lithuanian Doctors Participate at the Pediatric Oncology Congress in Washington, DC

10/25/2017

The Kazickas Family Foundation organized and sponsored four Lithuanian pediatric oncologists' visit to SIOP (Societe Internationale D'Oncologie Pediatrique) Congress in Washington, DC.

SIOP, founded in 1960, is the only global multidisciplinary society entirely devoted to pediatric and adolescent cancer. The society has over 1000 members worldwide including doctors, nurses, other health-care professionals, scientists and researchers. Each year, the SIOP congress delivers high quality scientific programme that covers the latest developments in pediatric oncology, from basic science to clinical studies and is highlighted by engaging sessions given by world renowned experts.

This year the 49th Congress of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology took place October 12-15, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Marcie Kazickas, who is dedicated to the pediatric oncology causes, suggested that it would be truly beneficial for Lithuanian doctors to participate at such congress, to gain knowledge, bring it home and share with the rest of Lithuania's specialists. For the first time with the Kazickas Family Foundation's financial help, pediatric oncologists Giedre Rutkauskiene and Rosita Kiudeliene from the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno Klinikos, as well as Sigita Stankeviciene and Rolanda Nemaniene from the Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos had an opportunity to participate.

Giedre Rutkauskiene, head pediatric oncology and hematology center at the Kauno klinikos, shares her thoughts from the trip, gratitude and future plans:

"To participate at such Congress is a unique opportunity for every specialist. Broad SIOP Congress program covered many topics, from basic pediatric oncology awareness to the latest molecular genetics research and targeted therapy. Congress included plenary sessions led by distinguished experts, guest lecturers who shared their experiences in pediatric oncology, pathology, radiology, psychology, and patient care, committee/group sessions, meet the expert sessions, free and proffered paper sessions and sessions specifically geared towards Young Investigators.

Every specialist seeks to learn not just about the latest research, but also gain experience in organizing daily tasks, making new connections, expanding collaboration. Jurate Kazickas with her dear friend Laura Palmer's (chaplain in the Cancer Center and Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, specializing in palliative care) help and Honorary Consul of Lithuania Krista Bard's efforts organized a visit to one of the largest and certainly most progressive hospitals in the USA - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. During the visit we met with oncologist John Simpkins, Robin Greving showed us around the pediatric oncology center and emergency department and with Laura Palmer we discussed psychological and social issues that families dealing with pediatric cancer face. During the meeting with Ruth Frey, senior director of International Business and Program Development at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, future collaboration between Philadelphia and Kaunas hospitals, such as opportunities for doctor training and consultations with extreme and complicated cases in all pediatric areas were discussed. Krista Bard also introduced us to rich and colorful history and architecture of Philadelphia and Lithuanian diaspora in the US.

At the end of the trip, we were invited to the Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, DC where Ambassador R. Krisciunas and L. Sereniene shared Embassy's honorable history.

Dear Diana Vidutis, head of Lithuanian community of Washington, took really good care of us and Claire and Marianne Soponis, Lithuanian descendants of Pre-World War I, kindly offered their home during our stay.

Experience gained at SIOP 2017 Congress in Washington is not just knowledge and opportunities for future work. It was also an unbelievable chance to visit such beautiful cities and meet so many welcoming and kind people.

Once back home, we shared our new experiences and knowledge with our colleagues.

From the bottom of our hearts we thank many people who organized, financed our trip, who took care of us and made us feel in the US like home.

Once again huge Lithuanian AČIŪ to all dear friends!

Photo above: L. Sereniene, R. Kiudeliene, Ambassador R. Krisciunas, R. Nemaniene, S. Stankeviciene and G. Rutkauskiene at the Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, DC.

Photos: Courtesy of G. Rutkauskiene and R. Nemaniene

Doctors R. Kiudeliene and G. Rutkauskiene at SIOP Congress in Washington, DC

Doctors R. Nemaniene and S. Stankeviciene at SIOP Congress in Washington, DC

R. Kiudeliene, L. Palmer and G. Rutkauskiene at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

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