Haworth Innovative Therapeutics Clinic

About us

At the Haworth Innovative Therapeutics Clinic (HITC), our mission is to conduct and support innovative clinical and translational research to improve the lives of the pediatric hematology and oncology patients at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and around the world.

The HITC team provides innovative and personalized care for children with cancer and blood disorders that do not respond to standard therapy. Our team is always available to help guide and answer questions about which trials may be best for you.

Featured trials

Our programs and services

We know this can be a challenging time for your family, and we want to help. Our team will guide you through medical treatment as well as the emotional, social, and financial challenges of therapy. Our wide variety of resources serve to support our patients and their families:

  • Our clinical research team is dedicated to working with patients and families to ensure all aspects of patient care coordination for our clinical trials.
  • Medical social workers are available to connect you with patient resources in the community and can assist in arranging lodging at the Renucci Hospitality House, Ronald McDonald House, or local hotels that may have discounted rates for our patients.
  • Our Child and Family Life specialists and Pediatric Oncology Resource Team provide activities for patients from infancy through young adulthood. We partner with our patients and their families to help cope with the challenges of treatment.
  • Our team of chaplains are available to provide spiritual and emotional support to our patients and their loved ones.
  • Our multidisciplinary team of physicians includes pediatric hematologists/oncologists, pediatric bone marrow transplant physicians, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pediatric surgeons, and a wide variety of additional pediatric specialty physicians.

Meet the HITC team

David Hoogstra, MD

Endowed director

Sarah Klaus, PA-C

Physician assistant

Ryleigh VanDuine, BSN

Nurse navigator

Mary Beth Readwin, BSN

Clinical research nurse

David Hoogstra, MD

Endowed director

Sarah Klaus, PA-C

Physician assistant

Ryleigh VanDuine, BSN

Nurse navigator

Mary Beth Readwin, BSN

Clinical research nurse

Emily George, BS

Clinical research specialist

Chad Fessenden, LMSW

Medical social worker

Katie Buelow, MS

Scientist

Marielle Klunder, BSN

Clinical research nurse

Sara Aqel, BS

Research assistant

Jazmine Vasquez, BS

Clinical research specialist

Contact Our Nurse Navigator