Let’s Talk: Teens With Cancer Need to Connect

Pediatric Services, Uncategorized

The American Cancer Society defines an adolescent as age 15-19. In that age group, more than 5,000 new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed every year and more than 10 percent of them are expected to die from their condition.
 
With these unfortunate statistics, you would think there would be more expertise regarding how to work and communicate with teens facing the end of their lives. Unfortunately, that just is not so.
 
Children’s hospitals are packed to the brim with children of all ages dealing with a condition that most people cannot relate to. Sadly, this usually translates to teens with cancer being ignored over the three year old who can’t stop crying simply because the teen is a little more autonomous.
 
The teen years are all about exploring the world and yourself, making friends, and pushing limits. Teens dealing with life-limiting illnesses aren’t able to have those same experiences and they deserve to talk about it. So, it’s important for family members and pediatric hospice care professionals to understand that teens desperately need to connect to the people around them, even if they seem strong, happy, and sound minded.
 
The best way to go about talking with your teen is elicit the support of a pediatric hospice staff in Las Vegas that understands exactly what it is your young adult needs. So, contact ProCare Hospice today at 702.380.8300 today to speak with a representative.
 

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8025 Amigo Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89123

Phone: (702) 380.8300
Fax: (702) 380.8302

Back To Top

8025 Amigo Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89123

Phone: (702) 380.8300
Fax: (702) 380.8302

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Dr. Iryna Kobita, MD

Iryna Kobita recently completed her Internal Medicine Residency at The Valley Health System in Las Vegas and is pleased to continue her medical training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Prior to relocating to the United States, she practiced medicine in Ukraine, bringing valuable international clinical experience to her work. Iryna looks forward to contributing to the program, building strong professional relationships, and continuing to grow as a physician. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends.

Dr. Diana Lee, MD

Dr. Diana Lee graduated from Capital Medical University in Beijing, China, in 1991. Following graduation, she completed five years of pediatric residency training at Beijing Children's Hospital, one of the largest and most prestigious pediatric hospitals in China.

After relocating to the United States, she completed her second residency training program in Internal Medicine at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in 2004. She then worked as a hospitalist with Mercy Medical Group in Sacramento, California, for 10 years, before moving to Las Vegas to join Platinum Hospitalist Group, where she currently practices.

After earning her ABIM board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2012, Dr. Lee focused her career on this specialty. In 2017, she established the first hospital-based inpatient palliative care consultation service in Las Vegas at St. Rose Dominican Siena Hospital. Under her leadership, this initiative expanded from a single-physician service into a multidisciplinary team of four palliative care physicians and 12 nurse practitioners, providing consultations across eight hospitals in Las Vegas. She has also served as the program director for the OPTI-West Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship since 2021.

Dr. Lee is dedicated to advancing patient-centered palliative care through clinical excellence, program development, education, and collaboration. As the founder of one of the region's largest inpatient palliative care programs, she continues to expand access to specialty services and improve care for patients with serious illnesses throughout Southern Nevada.

Dr. Dan Miulli, DO, MS, FACOS

Graduate of Midwestern University-CCOM and completed Neurosurgical Residency Training at Allegheny General Hospitals receiving diploma from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Board certified in Neurological Surgery and Neurocritical Care. Practices Neurosurgery in Southern California. Is the Designated Institutional Official, Chief Academic Officer, and CEO of OPTI-West Educational Consortium and Sponsoring Institution.