Riley Hospital for Children Welcomes Two New Physicians to its Hematology/Oncology Program at Clarian North

02/18/10

CARMEL, IN - Two board-certified Pediatric Hematology/Oncology physicians recently joined the medical staff at Riley Hospital for Children. In January, Kenneth Lazarus, MD, and Sandeep Batra, MD, began caring for patients and families affected by cancer and blood diseases at the Riley Hospital Clarian North facility in Carmel, IN.

As the primary caregivers at Riley Hospital Hematology/Oncology at Clarian North, Lazarus and Batra will diagnose, treat and provide individualized care to children with various types of cancer and blood diseases. Their patients range in age from newborn to 21. Lazarus and Batra will partner with referring physicians to provide effective, family-centered care for the patient in a safe, comfortable environment.

"Dr. Lazarus and Dr. Batra are both kind and experienced physicians who will provide high-quality care to our pediatric hematology/oncology patients at Riley North," said Michael Tsangaris, MD, Medical Director of Pediatrics at Riley Hospital North. "We are thrilled to have these two physicians join the Riley team in this capacity."

Dr. Lazarus graduated with honors from Tulane University School of Medicine. He did his pediatric residency at Columbus Children's Hospital at the Ohio State University, and his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Riley Hospital for Children. He then spent four years at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center as the Chief of the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1985 he established the Children's Hematology/Oncology Center in San Antonio, Texas. The center was closed in 2009 when Lazarus became an Associate Clinical Professor with the Indiana University School of Medicine. Lazarus has received numerous honors for his outstanding service and care practices including the Castle Connolly Top Doctors in Texas award for 2009. In addition, he is the author of "Conquering Kids' Cancer: Triumphs and Tragedies of a Children's Cancer Doctor."

Dr. Batra completed his undergraduate education, medical school and pediatric residency at the University of Delhi, India. After obtaining his medical degree, he completed his pediatric residency at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and his fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, USC. Prior to joining Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital Hematology and Oncology at Clarian North, Dr. Batra was an Assistant Professor at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, and more recently at the Roger Maris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Fargo, ND. His translational research interests are in the area of T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and VIP signaling.

Riley Hospital Hematology/Oncology at Clarian North is located on the 2nd floor of Clarian North Medical Center at 116th & Meridian in Carmel.

About Riley Hospital for Children
As one of the nation's leading pediatric hospitals and Indiana's first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 85 years. Each year, Riley Hospital and Riley Hospital at Clarian North serve over 215,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital's partnership with Clarian Health, and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, makes it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana's children and the premiere source for health-related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader. Clarian Health operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit Riley Hospital for Children for more information.