María Echevarría, MD
HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY SECTION
María E. Echevarría, MD
Associate Professor
Interim Section Chief
Hematology/Oncology
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7640
maria.echevarria2@upr.edu
Overview
In the Division of Hematology/Oncology at University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Center, we provide inpatient and outpatient services for children with hematologic and oncologic disorders. Patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team in a setting designed specifically for children and their families. Our practice is based at the University Pediatric Hospital at Puerto Rico Medical Center.
We provide both outpatient and inpatient consultation and management services for neonates, infants, children, and adolescents with hematologic and bleeding disorders.
Hematology Outpatient Services
The Division of Hematology provides outpatient services for children and adolescents with all hematologic disorders. Hematology Outpatients are seen at the Outpatient Continuity Clinics at University Pediatric Hospital.
Our faculty is trained to give a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients with hematologic disorders. Specialized multidisciplinary clinics are offered for Sickle Cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies, and for Hemophilia and other Bleeding disorders.
The Puerto Rico Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Center is part of a network of federally funded Treatment Centers in the United States and the Caribbean. We provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for diagnosis, treatment, counseling and education to patients with bleeding disorders.
Hematology Inpatient Services
Our faculty is committed to providing consultation services and direct patient care at the Pediatric University Hospital. Our faculty is trained to give a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients with hematologic disorders.
Oncology Outpatient Services
The Division of Oncology provides services for children and adolescents with all malignant disorders. Our faculty is trained to give a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients. Oncology Outpatients are seen at the Outpatient Oncology Clinics at the University Pediatric Hospital.
We offer outpatient chemotherapy and infusion services, blood product support and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures.
Long-term, follow-up care for children and teens who have been cured of cancer is also provided.
Oncology Inpatient Services
Direct care to oncology patients is provided in a 15 bed Oncology Ward. The medical team includes pediatric oncologists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and psychologists as well as other medical subspecialists.
Care plans typically include chemotherapy. The pediatric oncologist may work with additional physicians to schedule surgery or radiation when needed.
Areas of Expertise
Hematology
- Anemias
- Thalassemias
- Bleeding disorders
- Non-malignant blood disorders
- Bone marrow Failure syndromes
- Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders
- Platelet disorders
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Nonmalignant blood disorders
- Sickle Cell Disease and other hemoglobinopathies
- Thrombosis/anticoagulation
Oncology
- Leukemias
- Brain Tumors
- Lymphomas
- Renal tumors
- Sarcomas
- Bone tumors
- Liver tumors
- Neuroblastoma
- Other rare tumors
Stem Cell transplantation
- Malignant disorders
- Non-malignant disorders
- Post bone marrow transplant clinic
Research
The division is committed to participating in research regarding Hematology and Oncology conditions and diseases especially on those issues regarding Hispanics and Puerto Ricans in particular.
We provide the best, most current care for our patients. We stay up to date on the latest treatment protocols and collaborative research designed to improve our understanding of cancer and help us develop better, more effective treatments. We are members of the Children’s Oncology Group (link to childrensoncologygroup.org), a clinical trials group supported by the National Cancer Institute, the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to pediatric cancer research.
The Puerto Rico Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Center participates with the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN) with research initiatives and data collection to improve the quality of life of patients with bleeding disorders. We also participate with the CDC Community Counts project and its national bleeding disorder registry.
For outpatient appointments:
Pediatric Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Clinics:
Monday – Friday 8AM-3PM
787-474-0333 Ext 7660
Pediatric Hematology Clinics:
Monday-Friday 8AM-3PM
787-474-0333 Ext 7015
Puerto Rico Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Center:
Monday-Friday 8AM-3PM
787-777-3201 Ext. 7215
Puerto Rico Center for Inherited Diseases and PR Newborn Screening Program:
Monday-Friday 8AM-3PM
787-754-7410, 787-753-6340
Faculty
María E. Echevarría, MD
Associate Professor
Interim Section Chief
Hematology/Oncology
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Areas of interest: Neuro-Oncology and Pediatric Oncology
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7660
Leslie Soto, MD
Assistant Professor
Hematology/Oncology Section
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Director
Puerto Rico Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Center
Director
Centro de Enfermedades Hereditarias y Programa de Cernimiento Neonatal de PR
Areas of interest: Bleeding disorders and Pediatric Oncology
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7660 / 787-777-3201 Ext 7215
Gloria Colon, MD
Associate Professor
Hematology/Oncology Section
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Areas of interest: Pediatric Oncology
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7660
Maribel Garcia, MD
Assistant Professor
Hematology/Oncology Section
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Director
Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
University Pediatric Hospital
Areas of interest: Bone Marrow Transplant
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7660
Saisha Muñiz, MD
Assistant Professor
Hematology/Oncology Section
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Areas of interest: Bone Marrow Transplant, Cellular Therapy
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7660
Rosa Díaz, MD
Associate Professor
Hematology/Oncology Section
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Areas of interest: Hematology and Bleeding Disorders
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7015
Moisés García, MD
Assistant Professor
Hematology/Oncology Section
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Areas of interest: Hematology, Oncology
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7060, 7015
Samuel Pabón, MD
Assistant Professor
Hematology/Oncology Section
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Areas of interest: Hematology, Oncology
Tel: 787-474-0333 Ext. 7660, 7015
Sulay Rivera Sánchez, MS, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
University of Puerto Rico
Medical Sciences Campus
Associate Director, PR Center for Inherited Diseases
PR Newborn Screening Program
Tel: 787-754-7410, 787-753-6340, 787-777-3201 Ext. 7425