Southest Asia Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (SEAPHO)

Overview

The Southeast Asia Pediatric-Hematology-Oncology (SEAPHO) is a collaborative initiative to address the critical need for specialized medical and nursing expertise in the field of pediatric cancer and blood disorders within Southeast Asia.  A cornerstone of the SEAPHO program's success lies in its commitment to build a sustainable local expertise within Southeast Asia. A significant achievement is the establishment of a Vietnam Ministry of Health approved fellowship training program in pediatric hematology oncology. Embracing a multidisciplinary approach, SEAPHO has focused on the professional development and education for physicians as well as nurses, psychosocial providers, and pharmacy staff to strengthen and support a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem.

The SEAPHO nursing education training program has been a collaborative effort of nurses from UT Health San Antonio, the University of California-San Francisco, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, KK Woman’s and Children’s Hospital Singapore and the major pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant programs in Vietnam. The SEAPHO Nursing Team is led by UT adjunct faculty, Linda Abramovitz, MSN, RN, CNS, BMTCN, FAAN and Shelby Sandoval, MSN, RN, CPHON. 

Specific activities thus far included:

Over the last 7 years, the SEAPHO nursing team and the Vietnam nurse leadership team have successfully accomplished and continue to achieve mutually agreed upon goals:

• To provide pediatric oncology and HSCT nursing education in the classroom and clinical settings using a variety of teaching strategies including PowerPoint presentations, small group discussion, case studies. 
• To support quality improvement activities to improve patient safety and the deliver quality care 
  • Develop, implement and evaluate hospital and/or country-based projects based on identified needs
  • Create evidence-based nursing policies and procedures
  • Develop and implement patient and family-centered education
• To promote the specialty of pediatric oncology nursing by supporting the development of a professional, competent and skilled nursing workforce 
  • Advocate and implement the SIOP Pediatric Oncology Baseline Nursing Standards
  • Collaborate with nurse leaders and key stakeholders in-country to build a sustainable professional pediatric oncology and HSCT specialty
  • Facilitate professional development activities (conferences - local, regional and international and publications)

Students or faculty interested in further information or getting involved should contact Shelby Sandoval (sandovals4@uthscsa.edu) or Linda Amramovitz (abramovitz@uthscsa.edu).