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
Reviews
-
September 18, 2023
All were great. Friendly and thorough. Mariah even called me to tell me I forgot my coffee tumbler! Thank you!
-
August 07, 2023
Amazing!
-
August 07, 2023
Dr. Akers is amazing, kind and knowledgeable. If she could be our kiddos regular pediatrician we'd sign her up in a heartbeat. Her team, Desiree and Jodie, are caring and responsive. We truly felt like we were in the best hands at all times.
-
August 07, 2023
All good, no bad experiences
-
July 28, 2023
Dr. Akers was great
-
July 28, 2023
Dr. Akers is the best provider at cook childrens pediatric in prosper. She was very attentive! Would recommend
-
June 22, 2023
She had an exceptional visit.
-
June 20, 2023
RN was very sweet and kind to my daughter making her feel very comfortable
-
June 14, 2023
From the time we entered the room they told us exactly what they were doing at each step. They truly seem to enjoy working with children, and remembered us from our previous visit. I didn't feel like we were just a number in their list of patients. I felt that they truly care for their patients.
-
June 14, 2023
The entire team was very attentive and very kind to my daughter. She was more comfortable that she has been at any other office.
-
June 02, 2023
The Nurses who drew Arthur's blood were excellent. Dr Akers also was so kind and spent time helping me understand.
-
May 02, 2023
Dr. Akers was so great. We loved how CALM she is and how knowledgeable while still personable and respectful she is. As a parent, I felt heard, listened-to, and like I had someone to truly HELP me as a team. Henri likes to ask questions and know what is happening, and Dr. Akers took plenty of time to explain things to him, listened to his questions, and talked to him on his level.
-
April 20, 2023
Great nurses and child life!
-
April 20, 2023
Dr. Akers is outstanding. We followed her to the Prosper location when she moved from Ft. Worth. I can't say enough good things about her.
-
April 12, 2023
Clean friendly excellent care
-
April 12, 2023
Everyone we talked to was super sweet
-
March 30, 2023
Dr. Akers is wonderful, excellent bedside manner, has taken time to get to know my daughter and myself. I joke but truly wish she could be our general pediatrician as well :)
-
March 13, 2023
Dr Akers did a great job listening and taking time to explain things to my son during his visit.
-
January 25, 2023
Dr Aker she was amazing she explain and made sure we both understood what was going o
-
January 25, 2023
Excelente
-
January 14, 2023
All good!
-
January 14, 2023
The nurses took great care in trying to minimize her discomfort when pulling blood. Dr. Akers bedside manner with both us and our daughter was phenomenal, she really listened and took notes/asked questions and provided insight along the way.
-
January 11, 2023
Dr. Akers
-
January 11, 2023
She really listened to our concerns, and came up with plan of next steps. She explained everything in a way we could understand. We are so appreciative of the time she spent with us, in trying to help our daughter.
-
January 05, 2023
Doctor Alvarez was exceptional good. She has read all previous labs not only that was in cooks children but also labs and reports ordered from other doctors going back few years. She had good knowledge about the history and after examination she educated us on what the issue is, what is the remedy etc. Listen to our questions and concerns and spent time understanding and explaining her reasons etc
-
January 05, 2023
Good experience
-
December 14, 2022
Desiree was so nice, (patient) said she is his new "Favorite nurse" and he hasn't had any since Allie in Fort Worth so that says a lot LOL
-
December 14, 2022
Dr Akers is always phenomenal. We absolutely love her. She takes her time and listens to my son and I. Very knowledgeable and I trust her.
-
December 01, 2022
Lauren Akers
-
November 08, 2022
My husband had a flight to catch and I informed the nurse , the doctor didn't makeus wait and accommodated our request Thankful for that
-
October 12, 2022
Dr. Aker did an excellent job explaining lab results and what to look for going forward. She took time with us, and we didn't feel rushed or unimportant.
-
October 12, 2022
The nurses, lab techs and child life person were excellent with my son.
-
October 12, 2022
The nurse that starting the IV and the anxiety team- very impressed with their work.
-
October 12, 2022
Great experience
-
October 08, 2022
Faculty and all its staff is excellent
-
October 08, 2022
The entire staff is kind, caring and attentive. Any issues are always resolved immediately, they work to get you scheduled if you need a last minute appointment and always communicate quickly via email which is very convenient vs playing phone tag.
-
September 29, 2022
The nurse and other lady made it very easy for him to draw blood.
-
September 29, 2022
The nurse and Dr. Akers and the lady who explained the cold spray to my son. Thank you all very much.
Publications
- 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
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
Find us on social