Meet Dr. Lauren Akers

Dr. Akers knew that she was going to be a pediatrician when she was 12 years old, after losing a childhood friend to cystic fibrosis. During college and for three years after graduation, she worked at the UC Davis Medical Center as a clinical research coordinator in the fields of cardiology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, women's health and asthma. Though she enjoyed her research, she never lost sight of her original dream of helping children, and returned to school to obtain her medical degree in 1998.

During medical school and residency, Dr. Akers became interested in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. She was drawn to taking care of her patients at their sickest and most vulnerable times, and watching them respond to treatment and thrive. "Children have such an amazing resiliency, and caring for them is an honor and a privilege," says Dr. Akers.

After completing her fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Akers joined the Hematology and Oncology team at Cook Children's in 2008. She takes care of children with a variety of cancers and blood disorders. Her experience as a clinical research coordinator prior to medical school has been very beneficial in enrolling patients on multiple clinical trials. Participating in clinical research is why pediatric cancer survival rates have steadily improved over the last 30 years.

Dr. Akers is excited to be a part of Cook Children's expansion into Prosper, where she is the Hematology and Oncology physician in the new multi-specialty clinic and medical center. The opening of the multispecialty clinic has given children in Denton and Collin counties the ability to have hematology consultations, short infusions and chemotherapy much closer to home. When the Infusion Center and medical center open, these services will be greatly expanded.

Outside of work, Dr. Akers enjoys spending time with her family, especially her husband and daughter. She enjoys traveling, family game nights, reading, and playing the piano.

Services

  • Cancer diagnosis and care
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hematology consultations
  • Infusions
  • Oncology consultations

Publications

Presentations:
  • Kannan, S., Sutphin, R. M., Hall, M. G., Golfman, L. S., Fang, W., Nolo, R. M., AKERS, L. J., Hammitt, R. A., McMurray, J. S., Kornblau, S. M., Melnick, A. M., Figueroa, M. E., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2013). Notch activation inhibits AML growth and survival: A potential therapeutic approach. The Journal of Experimental Medicine, 210(2), 321-337.
  • Levy, A. G., Zage, P. E., AKERS, L. J., Ghisoli, M. L., Chen, Z., Fang, W., Kannan, S., Graham, T., Zeng, L., Franklin, A. R., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2012). The combination of the novel glycolysis inhibitor 3-BrOP and rapamycin is effective against neuroblastoma. Investigational New Drugs, 30(1), 191-199.
  • MURRAY, J. C., AKERS, L. J., HEYM, K., & Biegel, J. (2012). Sequential childhood neoplasms-leukemia following central nervous system tumors. Paper presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO 2012), New Orleans, LA. Mary 9-12, 2012, 58(7) 1056
  • AKERS, L. J., Fang, W., Levy, A. G., Franklin, A. R., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2011). Targeting glycolysis in leukemia: A novel inhibitor 3-BrOP in combination with rapamycin. Leukemia Research, 35(6), 814-820.
    Levy, A., AKERS, L. J., Ghisoli, M. L., Graham, T. C., Zeng, L., Nolo, R., Zage, P. E., Fang, W., Kannan, S., Franklin, A. R., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2009). Neuroblastoma and the Warburg effect: The novel glycolysis inhibitor 3-BrOP is effective in vitro and in vivo. 22nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, San Diego, CA. April 22-25, 2009
  • AKERS, L. J., Franklin, A. R., Fang, W., Levy, A. G., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2008). The novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP, has broad activity against acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL), and synergizes with rapamycin. 21st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cincinnati, OH. May 14-17, 2008
  • AKERS, L. J. (2007). The novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP, offers a potential therapeutic approach in ALL and AML. 20th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Toronto, Ontario Canada. May 3-7, 2007
  • AKERS, L. J., Franklin, A. R., Fang, W., Levy, A. G., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2007). The novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP, has broad activity against acute lymphoid leukemias and potentiates methotrexate and rapamycin. 49th ASH (American Society of Hematology) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Atlanta, GA. December 8-11, 2007, 110(11) Abs. 4203.
  • AKERS, L. J., & Hughes, D. P. M. (2007). Decreasing clearance time of high-dose methotrexate following pre-treatment with folic acid. 20th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Toronto, Ontario Canada. May 3-7, 2007

Media

Dr. Lauren Akers Named to D Magazine 2022 Best Pediatric Specialists

Education

  • Medical school:
  • Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Residency:
  • Austin Medical Education Programs, Seton Healthcare Network, Children's Hospital of Austin, Austin, Texas
  • Fellowship:
  • University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
  • Board certifications:
  • American Board of Pediatrics
  • American Board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Affiliations

  • Cook Children's Physician Network, American Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Oncology Group

Recognitions

  • D Magazine's 2025 Best Pediatric Specialists

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