Vannie Cook Children's Clinic Names Director

Dr. Juan Carlos Bernini will direct the new Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic, scheduled to open this month in McAllen.

The clinic, affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, is the first in South Texas to offer comprehensive care for children with cancer and blood disorders. In the past, these young patients often had to travel to major cities to receive chemotherapy or other services.

"We are able to offer our patients the attractive combination of being a local clinic staffed with local people, but with close ties to two of the nation's most prestigious institutions - Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital," said Dr. Bernini. "It gives us the ability to offer the best of care, the latest treatments and strong research support without leaving the area."

Dr. Bernini, a native of Costa Rica, previously served as assistant director at Cook Children's Specialty Clinic in Midland. He recently moved to McAllen.

"McAllen is a great place to call home. I'm looking forward to getting involved in the community, particularly with programs that support children," he said.

The Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic is a joint effort of Baylor, Texas Children's and the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Cancer Foundation.

Other programs are being offered in connection with the new clinic. A cancer genetics clinic will provide a cancer risk assessment service for individuals from families with cancer and population studies will be conducted through the Childhood Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Center.

For more information on any of the services offered, call Laura Martinez Ilgun at (956) 661-9840.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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