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Dr. Risi Idiokitas treats a patient with sickle cell disease

Sickle Cell Integrative Health Program

Meet the Team

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Dr. Risi Idiokitas treats a patient with sickle cell disease

Hematologists

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Psychiatrists

Psychologists

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Nursing Team

Social Workers

  • Children's National HospitalLisa Thaniel, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C
    • Social Worker

    Lisa Thaniel, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

    Languages
    • English
    Departments

    • Lisa Thaniel, DSW, LICSW, is a clinical social worker in the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s National. She earned her doctoral degree in clinical social work from The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and her master’s degree from Boston College School of Social Work with a concentration in children, adolescents and families.

      As part of her MSW program, she completed an internship in the Child Witness to Violence Program at Boston Medical Center, where she provided therapeutic services to children who had been exposed to domestic violence, community violence or other trauma-related events. 

      In addition to providing psychosocial services to children with sickle cell disease and their families, Lisa enjoys teaching patients, families and staff about mindfulness. She is trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement and provides mindfulness-based interventions in the Sickle Cell Integrative Health Program. Her research interests include understanding the effects of social determinants of health and adverse childhood experiences on health outcomes in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.

Education Specialists

  • Stefanie McAnall HayesStefanie Hayes
    • Education Specialist

    Stefanie Hayes

    Languages
    • English
    Departments
    • Stefanie Hayes is an education specialist in the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's National and has served children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other hematologic diseases for over 10 years. Stefanie and the education team collaborate and build supportive partnerships with families, school personnel and healthcare professionals to ensure that appropriate educational supports and accommodations are in place throughout a child’s treatment. 

      Stefanie helps identify specific school-related questions, challenges or concerns and works closely with families and school teams to assist in developing thoughtful, individualized plans to address school needs. She is invested in creating normalcy for patients, easing a patient’s transition between the hospital and school, and bridging the gap between medical care and education. 

      Stefanie provides services to both inpatient and outpatient families, working with a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. 

      Stefanie completed her undergraduate training at Miami University in Ohio and received her Bachelor of Science in education with a focus in special education. 

Support Team