The Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program offers a broad
array of services for the longitudinal management for adult patients with sickle cell disease. The activities of the Jefferson
Sickle Cell Program include in-patient and out-patient clinical care, a Sickle Cell Day Unit, emergency services, patient
education and psychosocial support. Patients are also offered opportunities to participate in novel therapies and other research
related to sickle cell anemia. The activities of our Sickle Cell Program are carried out via the joint efforts of faculty
in the Division of General Internal Medicine, the Division of Hematology and the Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research
in the Department of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College. Critical nursing, social work and other health care professional
services enable a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the management of our patients. The various clinical and
academic activities of the Jefferson Sickle Cell Program are supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the
National Institutes of Health and the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
The program welcomes new patients. We also work with the regional pediatric sickle cell centers to ensure a smooth transition
from pediatric care to adult care. Please call 215-955-2773 to schedule an appointment or to receive additional information
about the program from our nurse coordinator.
Acute and Chronic Patient Care
Our program focuses on competent and compassionate long-term care of the person living with sickle cell disease. Our primary
goal is excellence in clinical management and an emphasis on quality of life.
Board certified internists oversee inpatient and outpatient management, receiving consultative advice from the Hematology
service as needed. In particular, Dr. Samir Ballas, who has an international reputation in the management of sickle cell anemia,
is available to provide valuable input. Other clinical team members of the Jefferson Sickle Cell Program include an outpatient
sickle cell nurse, a day unit sickle nurse practitioner, a sickle cell social worker and nurse practitioners with experience
in inpatient sickle cell care.
Emergency medical care and in-patient management takes place in the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Uncomplicated painful
episodes are treated in the Sickle Day Unit during weekdays. This Unit provides care for patients who do not require hospitalization,
but who need focused attention not available in the Emergency Department.
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Preventative Therapy
Preventing the complications of sickle cell anemia is an especially important aspect of managing patients with sickle cell
anemia.
Hydroxyurea Program. Our center participated in the seminal clinical trial of Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Anemia (MSH) between 1992-1996. The study
showed that Hydroxyurea decreased the frequency of painful crises, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusion.
Patients with sickle cell anemia who meet the inclusion criteria and agree to the treatment are started on Hydroxyurea and
followed regularly to monitor their progress and adjust the dose of Hydroxyurea as needed.
Chelation Therapy. Patients with sickle cell can become iron overloaded due to frequent blood transfusions. This iron overload can damage bodily
organs, including the heart, liver, joints, etc. Programs are available for eligible patients to receive novel therapies to
remove the excess iron from the body and thereby prevent organ damage.
Blood Transfusion/Blood Exchange Transfusion Program. Our center has an active program of red blood cell transfusion/exchange transfusion, which is used to treat and/or prevent
many of the complications of sickle cell disease. Patients who have had stroke are routinely managed in this manner to prevent
recurrent stroke. Other indications of blood exchange may be acute chest syndrome, complicated pregnancy or major surgery.
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Other Patient Support Services
Our social worker coordinates a monthly patient self-support group meeting. Patients receive information about their disease
and its complications and are taught various techniques to reduce stress, prevent painful crises and improve quality of life.
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Education and Research
Patient education is vital to the optimal care of patients living with sickle cell disease. Patients are taught techniques
to reduce stress and to learn as much as possible about their disease and its complications.
We actively participate in research including clinical trials of new therapeutic approaches to sickle cell disease in order
to improve the care of present and future patients with the disease.
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Diagnostic Lab
Making the exact diagnosis of sickle cell disease is important for treatment, prognosis and genetic counseling. This often
requires sophisticated laboratory testing, not routinely available in many hospitals. Our center has a special diagnostic
lab capable of making the exact molecular diagnosis of sickle cell anemia or other inherited disorder of red blood cell hemoglobin.
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Community Outreach
Our center maintains close relations with the Phildelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of
America (SCDAA). The SCDAA is an advocacy organization for patients with sickle cell anemia. We often involve the SCDAA with
some of the psycho-social and personal issues of our patients.
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Physican Leadership:
Samir Balls, MD, FACP
Program Director and Director of Sickle Cell Research
Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics
Director, Sickle Cell Program of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the Philadelphia Region.
(215) 955-8485
David Axelrod, MD
Associate Program Director and Clinical Director
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Phone: 215-955-6180
Jeff Riggio, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Phone: 215-955-6180
Key Personnel:
Carol Wexler, RN
Outpatient Nurse Coordinator
Phone: 215-955-6180
Oversees day to day care of patients in the outpatient setting. Coordinates medication refills in the outpatient office. Assists
in arranging outpatient consultations and coordination of care. Assists with physicians in the office with physical assessment.
Gaye Burden-Riddick, MSN, CRNP
Day Unit Sickle Cell Nurse Practitioner
215-955-0207
Oversees the sickle cell day unit. Responsible for day unit treatment and medication administration in the sickle cell day
unit and day to day operations of the day unit. Special interest in complimentary and alternative therapies for sickle cell
pain.
Bonnie Crouthamel, MSN
Sickle Cell Social Worker
215-955-7181
Follows patients in the office and in the hospital in order to assess their psychological and social needs. Helps patients
with coping strategies for dealing with acute and chronic pain and managing with a chronic disabling disease. Assists with
social service needs such as health insurance, disability and other benefits.
Kimberly Covington, MSN,CRNP
Mary Devry, MSN, CRNP
Melissa Diehl, MSN,CRNP
Nurse practitioners with particular interest and experience with sickle cell disease. Help manage patients in the hospital
who are hospitalized with sickle cell crisis.
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Contact information
To schedule an appointment or to arrange transfer, and for information about the clinic and Day Unit call Carol Wexler at
215-955-2773
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