2023 ASPHO Conference

We're honored to be one of the premier sponsors for this year's ASPHO conference. We look forward to meeting you and showing off our city with true Texas hospitality. Swing by booth #701 and say howdy.

Featured speaker

Meaghan Granger, M.D.

Paper Session - Children's Oncology Group (COG)
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, May 13

Doc Talk Podcasts

Tune in! Listen to our podcast about our new Precision Medicine Program. The roundtable discussion features hematology/oncology physicians, Anish Ray, M.D., Kelly Vallance, M.D., MPH and pediatric clinical pharmacy specialist, Heidi Trinkman.

Also, we recommend this great round-up of related podcasts from our hematology/oncology team:

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Subscribe to Doc Talk

Now streaming on the following:

Cook Children's Tours

Have you ever seen a dragon in a cowboy hat? When you come to Cook Children's, you see lots of amazing things. We invite you to experience our beautiful campus and take a guided tour of our facilities.

Your guide

Tours will be led by Donald Beam, M.D., Medical Director of Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology Center.

Medical Center

Tour date and times

Date: Thursday, May 11
Times: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Transportation is provided to those who would like to participate (we promise it will be an air-conditioned vehicle – no wagons, no horses).

Reserve your spot now!

Call, text or email Ashleigh Wilford:
Phone: 682-299-1547
Email: ashleigh.wilford@cookchildrens.org

Head out for some fun

From Cowtown to Funkytown and everywhere in between, in Fort Worth, our doctors know the places to see and be seen. Check out some of their favorite sites and bites then round up your posse and head out for some fun and relaxation Fort Worth style.

The Fort Worth Zoo - It's wild and wonderful.

Trinity Trails - It's a great outdoor trail for exercise in a beautiful setting. May will be great weather!

Modern Art Museum Designed by world renowned architect Tadao Ando, the archtiecure is spectacular, especially the reflecting pool. The museum is free on Fridays. Don't miss lunch at Café Modern and the awesome gift shop.

Fort Worth Botanic Gardens My favorites include the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden.

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame  One of the few places in the world to learn about the women who have broken and continue to break barriers. - Karen Albritton, M.D.

Joe T Garcia's - Enjoy true family food and the outdoor seating atmosphere!

Taste Community "A nonprofit - pay what you can and help support our local community.

And a few more of my favorites:

Tributary Café - Cajun/Creole

Heim BBQ - Texas BBQ, Fort Worth style

Ellerbe Fine Dining

Nonna Tata - Northern Italian Cuisine

Spiral Diner & Bakery - Vegan food even carnivores love (and so do Texas Longhorns).

Did you know that Paramount's Yellowstone prequel "1883" series was filmed in in the Fort Worth Stockyards? Don't miss a visit here and for sure don't skip the margaritas and sitting out on the lawn at the Drover Hotel.

Kimbell Art Museum - Where art and architecture are one, from the rare Mayan exhibit to the exquisite designs of the Louis I. Kahn Building and the Renzo Piano Pavilion.

Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine - This is my favorite farm-to-table restaurant and not just because, as a child, Chef Jon Bonnell was a patient at Cook Children's.

MELT Ice Cream!! - To die for and is a local small business. You'll find the best waffle cones in the world and great ice cream flavors.

Press Café - Salads, sandwiches, spirits, hydrations and coffee of course!

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro with an urban flair and Texas hospitality.

Paloma Suerte Tex Mex - Weekends start with breakfast and end with a late night happy hour - yeehaw!!

Clay Pigeon. They have a bone marrow appetizer that is delicious and hematologically fortifying.

Talk about town: Your guide to Texas speak

Many of our doctors did not grow up in Texas and found some of our language a little confusing in the beginning. For that reason, they've put together this short guide with a few words to help you "conversate" in this great big state!

Cowtown: Fort Worth was the heart of Chisholm Trail cattle drives and an economic driver of the U.S. economy. Today, we honor that heritage that ultimate drove us into thriving metropolis we are today.

Funky town: refers to the cool vibes of Fort Worth nightlife… step out at night and discover for yourself the restaurants, bars, theaters and vibrancy that help us keep Forth Worth funky.

Ma'am: No, it's not referring to age, it's simply a term of respect - sometimes shortened to yes'm as in yes ma'am

Ya: You

Y'all: You, as in one person or a group

Y'all all: A group

Fixin' tuh: Getting ready to do something: fixin' tuh head to ASPHO in Fort Worth, Texas

Head tuh: Go to: I'm gonna head to the store

Headin' tuh: Also going to

Gonna: Planning: I was gonna go to the store

Gotta: Have to or need to: I gotta stop by booth #701 at ASPHO and say howdy

About us

Our nationally recognized Hematology and Oncology program offers leading edge treatment of blood disorders and cancers. In addition to the collaborative hematology and oncology programs, patients at Cook Children's have access to the full support of a wide array of our pediatric specialties through our collaborative efforts with other programs including neurosciences, genetics, orthopedics, endocrinology, cardiology and other specialties that might be required to support your patient's specific issue.

Meet our team

Meet the talented individuals who make great things happen every day.

Donald Beam, MD

Hematology and Oncology
4.9 out of 5
41 Ratings
Headshot of Dr. Donald Beam
Accepting new patients

Gretchen Eames, MD, MPH

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Gretchen Eames
Accepting new patients

Richard Howrey, MD

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Richard P. Howrey
Accepting new patients

Lauren Akers, DO

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Lauren Akers
Accepting new patients

Clarissa Johnson, MD

Hematology and Oncology
4.9 out of 5
36 Ratings
Headshot of Dr. Clarissa Johnson
Accepting new patients

Timothy McCavit, MD

Hematology and Oncology
5.0 out of 5
51 Ratings
Headshot of Dr. Timothy McCavit
Accepting new patients

Marcela Torres, MD

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Marcela D. Torres
Accepting new patients

Karen Albritton, MD

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Karen Halaburt Albritton
Accepting new patients

Chelsee Greer, DO

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Chelsee Greer
Accepting new patients

Kenneth Heym, MD

Hematology and Oncology
4.9 out of 5
43 Ratings
Headshot of Dr. Kenneth M. Heym
Accepting new patients

Holly Pacenta, MD

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Holly Pacenta

Anish Ray, MD

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Anish K. Ray
Accepting new patients

Kelly Vallance, MD, MPH

Hematology and Oncology
Headshot of Dr. Kelly L. Vallance
Accepting new patients

Jeffrey Murray, MD

Neuro-Oncology
4.9 out of 5
47 Ratings
Headshot of Dr. Jeffrey C. Murray
Accepting new patients

Robert Gillespie, MD, MPH

Nephrology
4.8 out of 5
54 Ratings
Headshot of Dr. Robert S. Gillespie
Accepting new patients

Our Hematology and Oncology programs

Global Health Services

We offer many services to families who are traveling from out-of-state. We can help with appointment scheduling, insurance approvals, and making your experience with Cook Children's as easy as possible.

Please contact our Global Health Services care coordinator if you need help with out-of-state or international referrals at: 682-303-1377 GlobalHealthServices@cookchildrens.org 682-885-2557 fax

Upcoming events you won't want to miss

We strive to help foster the continued growth of great physicians, nurses and other health care professionals through continuing education on a variety of health care topics. Learn more about our upcoming conferences below:

Leukemia symposium

Presented by the Lois and W. Paul Bowman, M.D., Leukemia Program Endowment

November 3-5, 2023
Cook Children's Medical Center | Hochberger Auditorium
801 7th Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Register now

We look forward to seeing you again at ASPHO 2024

April 3-6
Seattle Convention Center
Seattle, WA

In the meantime, thanks for visiting with us - and y'all come back now, ya hear!