bleeding & clotting disorders institute

Achieving a Higher Quality of Life for Persons with Chronic Blood Disorders
By Sara Browning

Dr. Michael Tarantino, along with the entire medical care team, utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment in caring for his patients diagnosed with bleeding and clotting disorders.
Hope for Hemophilia Patients Under the care and supervision of Michael D. Tarantino, MD, Medical Director and Founder of BCDI, who started the practice on April 5, 2010, and Renee Madden, MD, Assistant Medical Director at BCDI, patients are in good hands. Dr. Tarantino is an award-winning, nationally recognized hematologist whose efforts to combat hemophilia, ITP, and other blood disorders have led to the advancement of research on behalf of patients living with these diseases. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in a protein that causes blood to clot. Most often hemophilia causes a severe bleeding disorder, where bleeding into the joints, muscles, or body organs, sometimes with no apparent injury, is common. Less
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often, mild cases of hemophilia cause prolonged bleeding, usually with surgery or major injuries, says Dr. Tarantino. Dr. Tarantino has been instrumental in making strides with hemophilia, according to Kollet Koulianos, MBA, business administrator with BCDI. His signal contributions to the hemophilia community include his role as a lead investigator for the clinical development of the first fully synthetic blood factor product. This is the number one product we use today to treat and prevent bleeding in hemophilia, says Kollet. His appointment to the Medical & Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), and his position as Chair of the Ethics Advisory Committee for the NHF speak to his dedication to deliver only the best in patient care. Dr. Tarantino was

recognized by the NHF this past year for these and many contributions to the hemophilia community over the past 23 years with the prestigious Kenneth Brinkhous Physician of the Year Award. This distinguished award is the highest honor in the bleeding disorders community, according to Kollet, adding that Dr. Tarantinos notable accomplishments with hemophilia have boosted BCDIs reputation nationwide. BCDI is one of 140 federally recognized Hemophilia Treatment Centers of Excellence in the country. The inception of Hemophilia Treatment Centers of Excellence took place after some clotting factor concentrates became contaminated with HIV in the late1970s to mid Renowned for his signal contributions to the bleeding and clotting disorders community, 1980s, causing many people Dr. Michael Tarantino has authored over 100 publications and served as lead investigator on with bleeding disorders to pivotal research studies that have helped to shape the care that is used worldwide today. be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). hensive care model of hemophilia to patients with idiopathic thromboAs a result, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and Centers for cytopenic purpura (ITP). ITP is an acquired blood disorder that causes Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set up programs to administer easy or excessive bruising and bleeding because of unusually low and monitor the safety of clotting treatment through Comprehensive levels of platelets, the cells that help to start the blood clotting process. Care Clinics. The disease can affect both males and females, children and adults. Says Kollet: Dr. Tarantino and Dr. Gerstner understand that because Reaping the Benefits of Comprehensive Care chronic ITP sufferers have similar issues as hemophilia patients, both Patients who have been diagnosed with hemophilia or other bleedgroups would benefit from a comprehensive care clinic. ing disorders benefit from comprehensive care at BCDI. BCDIs Com Drs. Tarantino and Gerstner will lead the way to the first ITP comprehensive Care Model is a proven and effective health care treatment prehensive care clinic in the country. The clinic is also the first clinic approach, with a focus on caring for the whole patient not just their of its kind in the nation to apply the comprehensive care model for diseases. hemophilia patients to ITP patients. According to Dr. Tarantino, Our multidisciplinary team comprises Dr. Tarantino strives to stay on the cutting edge of ITP research professionals who are experts in bleeding, clotting, and blood-related and treatment. For the past several years, he has been involved in disorders. Our team includes hematologists, nurse coordinators, treatments that increase platelet production in persons with ITP. Dr. a nurse practitioner, a medical social worker, a physical therapist, a Tarantino was recently selected as the lead investigator on an interdentist, a registered dietitian, a womens health specialist, a research national study to help children with ITP, by giving them a synthetic coordinator, and an outreach/education coordinator. Integrated manplatelet growth factor. Dr. Tarantino is currently conducting a trial to agement between the comprehensive care team results in the best test whether an important drug will benefit children with ITP. BCDI is possible patient outcomes. the only center to conduct this study. Comprehensive care emphasizes early diagnosis and intervention We dont want to be bystanders in research and advocacy, says when necessary to prevent complications; patient and family-centered Dr. Tarantino. We want to be a part of everything moving forward to education, in addition to the education of school nurses and day care ensure the best care for our patients. providers helps to empower patients to take control of their bleeding disorder. For more information on Bleeding & Clotting Disorders Institute, At BCDI we are firm believers that the more educated and empowvisit www.ilbcdi.org or call 309-692-5337 or toll free at 877-335-2234. ered patients are the better they can take care of themselves, says Dr. Office hours are from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. BCDI is Tarantino. located at 6811 North Knoxville, Peoria, IL 61614. Patients receive training for home and self-infusions. We have nine Michael D. Tarantino, MD, completed his residency in pediatrics at and ten-year-old patients who can do their own intravenous infusions. This the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in 1990 and a fellowkeeps them in school and in sports so they have a better quality of life. ship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Wisconsin in 1993. He is board-certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Comprehensive Care & ITP brings over 20 years of experience caring for children and adults with According to Kollet, Dr. Tarantino, in collaboration with Dr. Greg bleeding and clotting disorders. Gerstner of Illinois CancerCare, is taking steps to apply the compreAugust 2013 Peoria Healthy Cells Magazine Page 33