Manning Family Children’s physician to lead pediatric hematology/oncology group – Becker’s Hospital Review | Healthcare News
Maria Velez, MD, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at New Orleans-based Manning Family Children’s, has been appointed president of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
The ASPHO is “dedicated to promoting the optimal care of children, adolescents and young adults with blood disorders and cancer,” according to a June 19 news release from Manning Family Children’s.
Dr. Velez has established multiple specialty programs at Manning Family Children’s, including the Bleeding Disorders and Thrombophilia Center and the Girls and Adolescents with Blood and Sickle Cell Disorders Clinic. She also is a co-leader of the hospital’s neuro-oncology program.
She shared more about her top priorities as ASPHO president with Becker’s and what health system leaders should know about developing highly specialized care teams.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: As the new president of the ASPHO, how do you plan to leverage your experience at Manning Family Children’s to influence national strategies in pediatric hematology/oncology?
Dr. Maria Velez: As president, my foremost responsibility, together with the board of trustees, is to ensure that ASPHO fulfills its mission in alignment with its core values and strategic priorities.
My experience at Manning Family Children’s has played a pivotal role in my professional development and ultimately led to the honor of serving as ASPHO president. Over the course of my career, I have held multiple leadership positions at Manning Family Children’s.
Serving the children and families of Louisiana, a state rich in culture yet challenged by significant healthcare disparities, has had a profound impact on my perspective and commitment to equity. This environment inspired my long-standing involvement in advocacy through the Children’s Oncology Group, where I have served as chair of the diversity and health disparities committee for the past 10 years.
Q: What do you see as the most pressing operational or workforce challenges facing pediatric hematology/oncology programs today, and how might the ASPHO help address them?
MV: The ASPHO remains deeply attuned to the evolving challenges facing our subspecialty. In response, our leadership has developed a comprehensive workforce strategy, guided by membership input and data, to help shape our direction and priorities. This strategy is built on four key pillars:
- Engaging the next generation of medical professionals
- Enhancing our understanding of the workforce through robust data collection
- Offering mentorship and targeted career development opportunities
- Collaborating with partner organizations to strengthen the pediatric hematology/oncology workforce
The ASPHO is keenly aware of the critical issues confronting our field, ranging from compensation disparities and increasing administrative burdens to the growing tension between clinical demands and personal well-being.
Supporting our members through these realities requires active listening, open and transparent communication and timely responsiveness. One of our greatest opportunities lies in reengaging and reenergizing our membership by fostering meaningful avenues for participation, collaboration and leadership development.
Q: Manning Family Children’s has built a large and highly specialized pediatric hematology/oncology team. What can other health systems learn from the care team model?
MV: At Manning Family Children’s, we have been intentional about building a robust and highly specialized pediatric hematology-oncology team that reflects both the clinical complexity of our patients and the unique needs of our region. Several key lessons from our model may offer valuable insights for other health systems looking to strengthen their specialty care programs:
- Commitment to health equity and community engagement: Serving a culturally rich but medically underserved population in Louisiana has taught us the importance of integrating health equity into all aspects of care delivery. By aligning our clinical mission with advocacy, research and community partnerships, we’ve been able to address disparities and better meet the needs of our patients and families.
- Investing in multidisciplinary, collaborative care teams: Our program emphasizes a team-based approach that brings together physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, psychosocial experts and community liaisons. This multidisciplinary model not only improves outcomes but also fosters a culture of collaboration and shared accountability.
- Leadership development and workforce sustainability: We prioritize leadership development within our team, encouraging early-career professionals to take on meaningful roles in clinical programs, research and quality improvement. Creating structured opportunities for professional growth has helped retain talent and build a pipeline for future leadership.
- Data-informed program planning: Using workforce and clinical data to guide decision-making has allowed us to expand strategically, ensuring that services are aligned with patient needs and institutional capacity.
- Strong partnership with institutional leadership: A key component of our success has been the strong, ongoing collaboration with Manning Family Children’s administration. Their support and shared commitment to pediatric subspecialty care have enabled us to innovate, grow and remain responsive to the needs of both our patients and providers.
Ultimately, the success of our program has been rooted in staying mission driven, anchored in equity, excellence and collaboration. These principles can be adapted across settings to build stronger, more sustainable specialty care systems.