Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT)

Our Team

Our BMT team is working hard to discover new ways to fight cancer and other diseases in some of our sickest kids. We are using the latest in cell-based immunotherapies to leverage and bolster the body's natural ability to fight cancer. The team comes to work every day with the hopes of helping our families through some of the most difficult moments they may ever have.

Rolla F. Abu-Arja

Rolla Abu-Arja, MD serves as BMT Section and Clinical Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant program. Dr. Rolla is a nationally known expert in malignant and non-malignant blood and bone marrow transplant and providing care for patients around the world.

Our Programs

Our BMT program is supported by specially-trained experts to address every part of a child’s journey. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionists and more, all working together to provide best outcomes. 

Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic

The Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Clinic provides care to patients and families before and after transplant.

Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program

Our Adolescent and Young Adult Program provides help and a network of individuals to support our AYA oncology patients in the areas of fertility, education, insurance, and social and emotional support.

Fertility and Reproductive Health Program

Many medical conditions and treatments may affect future fertility. Our comprehensive program provides education and counseling for patients who may be at risk for long-term fertility or reproductive health issues and provide fertility preservation options.

Genetic and Genomic Medicine

The Genetics services at Nationwide Children's Hospital provide diagnostic evaluations for patients with known or suspected genetic diseases, genetic and prenatal counseling for families and treatment of genetics disorders, especially inborn errors of metabolism.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy refers to the treatment methods used to develop or restore movement, promote healing and function and educate children and their families.

Psychosocial Services

As an integral part of the care team, the Psychosocial Services Program is one of the most comprehensive in the country. We ensure patients and their families have every resource needed socially, emotionally and psychologically.

Palliative Care

Whether in the hospital or in the home our goal is to ensure every patient receives the necessary care and comfort when faced with a life–threatening and/or life-limiting condition through support, counseling and world-class care.

Photon Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is used to treat many types of cancer, including blood cancer and solid tumors, in children. While your child’s oncology team is located at Nationwide Children’s, your child may receive radiation therapy at The James Outpatient Care.

Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic

The Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic provides assistance to children and their families through a combination of medical treatment and complementary therapies for complex and long-term pain-related problems.

Clinical Trials

See all of our available BMT and Cell Therapy Trials

Learn More

We're building the future of pediatric medicine. Join us. 

The Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers a one-year BMT fellowship for qualified physicians who completed a basic 3-year program in pediatric hematology/oncology and who wish to pursue further training in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation.

Graduates will be competent in the use of transplantation and cellular therapy for the treatment of malignant or non-malignant diseases. Specifically, the program trains physicians in indications for transplant; pre-transplant patient evaluation; identification and selection of stem cell sources; use of donor registries; methodologies of HLA typing; marrow cryopreservation; management of ABO incompatible cell products; administration of high-dose chemotherapy; management of neutropenic fever; management of bacterial/viral/fungal diseases in immunocompromised patients, management of bleeding diathesis, diagnosis and management of regimen related toxicities, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, late complications of marrow transplantation; terminal care; as well as training in documentation and reporting for patients being treated on investigational trials.

Trainees gain experience in bone marrow harvest; stem cell apheresis; stem cell product infusions; and advanced cell processing techniques. Trainees are also encouraged to participate in protocol design and development and complete a clinical research project related to transplantation during the course of their training.

Pediatric Blood Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Fellowship

The BMT/CT Fellowship is a one-year fellowship for qualified physicians who have completed a basic three-year program in pediatric hematology/oncology and wish to pursue further training in blood and marrow transplantation.