Pediatric Blood & Cancer Center - University Health University Hospital

Reviews

• RO

  Rosie Ortiz

  Jan 9, 2026
  1.0
  I have had an extremely poor experience with this facility. My pediatrician referred my daughter over a month ago for evaluation of infantile hemangiomas. Despite calling multiple times each week, I was repeatedly told the referral was incorrect or missing. After confirming with my pediatrician’s referral coordinator and pediatrician herself when visiting in person that the referral was sent directly, I was told University Health received it and that prior delays were due to fax issues on the UH side. On Tuesday, I was assured everything was in order and that I would receive a call within two days to schedule, which was after being told to “hang on” as soon as I was finally answered by someone on their end, and then put on a hold without any other communication(I assume they knew who was calling and told me to “hang on” in frustration). When I called back on Friday, I was told they are now waiting for a “corrected” referral again, then told the referral is with the charge nurse and awaiting provider assignment—adding another 2–3 week delay to even get to a place where we are actually able to schedule an appointment. The lack of communication, consistency, and urgency, especially for an infant referral, is unacceptable.
• BB

  Bea B

  Sep 9, 2024
  1.0
  My son transferred to this hospital from Phoenix Children’s to continue survivorship after cancer treatment when we moved. I am so shocked and disappointed in the stark contrast of care that we received here vs Arizona. We began in the old building which was not designed to be specifically for children, was VERY dated, and was claustrophobic (low ceilings, a maze of long windowless corridors, etc). This place is incomparable to the children’s hospital in Phoenix in terms of the quality, comfort, and joy perceived by children going through medical procedures that are scary and not well understood by them. It was really a night and day difference. They stated they had never received my son’s medical records from Phoenix Children’s, after calling PCH multiple times to confirm they had sent the records and confirming on both ends the correct fax number. My son is high functioning autistic, ADHD, and has PTSD and anxiety due to the frequency of blood draws and port accesses during chemo, so he has an extremely difficult time with blood draws. Blood tests are necessary for survivorship appointments for him - here at University, they refused to give him intranasal versed as an anxiolytic/sedative for his in-clinic blood draw, as was done at PCH. They told me it was not in their policy. They gave me the option of physically restraining him with multiple personnel or restraining him on a tie down board as our only options because my son began to have a panic attack and refused to sit for his blood draw. This is backwards, disgusting, and inhumane. We refused. I then asked if this oncologist could prescribe lorazepam and topical numbing cream since they would not do versed. I was told this was also not possible as it was not their policy and to ask my son’s PCP. This is again ridiculous - an oncologist cannot prescribe an anxiety medication and numbing cream for administration prior to a blood draw for a post-chemo child that has special needs? But his PCP can? So hundreds of dollars wasted on an appointment that was significantly worse than useless. I asked about getting my son post-chemo psychological therapy since he went through such a traumatic and life/death situation type of experience. The nurse told me the programs they have available have YEARS-long wait lists for various specific therapy services for these types of children. YEARS. She told me it is very much a regional issue, as California has a days-long waitlist. PCH did lab work as well as ultrasounds every six months until 5 years post chemo completion. Here they only do lab work. After initial appointment with the physician, we were told we would be seen by another doctor for the subsequent visit. We arrive and go through motions because my son could not do the blood draw even though we tried the lorazepam and numbing cream prescribed by his PCP. Well lo and behold after the visit, I looked at his chart and the woman we saw who was presented (multiple times via phone conversations and there at the clinic) as “doctor” was a nurse practitioner. This is highly, HIGHLY deceptive and illegal misrepresentation of a medical “provider” and their credentials/education. Every single time we went to PCH for active chemo treatment and for survivorship, we personally saw his oncologist. Now, later, I call the hospital’s laboratory because my son is under anesthesia for a dental procedure and the anesthesiologist can take the blood sample. But no one has blood vials. I call and explain the situation, tell them the doctor will speak to whomever he needs to tell them, and I am told they cannot give vials because he is not receiving the dental care there at University Hospital. Even though the medical courier will bring the specimen vials back to their lab for processing and they get the money. They can’t give the vials. It’s absolutely ridiculous and extremely cruel the way the treat patients at this facility. Please do not give them your service. I am so greatly disappointed and disgusted at how I have seen my son be treated and receive “care” at this facility.
• XA

  xochitl Arzola

  Oct 11, 2022
  5.0
  They have been wonderful, done more than what we can imagine, since we begin 3yrs ago, the whole team is amazing Dr Aaron Sugalski, Lizza, Leann, Maggie, Nakita, Christin Mari and the team will in patient Sierra, Brittany Amy, Julia, Stephanie they have been superheroes we also loved Dr Amanda Lippsitt and Dr Rajive too bad there no longer at UHS
• BG

  Brenda Gayle

  Jul 20, 2021
  5.0
  They take very good care of all of their patients.
• VL

  Venus Lady

  Dec 26, 2017
  5.0
  The staff and medical team here are miracle workers. Dr. Lipsitt and Dr. Assanasen are amazing. My child has been suffering with a rare undiagnosed conditions that took away here childhood. No one could tell us what was wrong or if she was in danger of dying. Two visits and several tests later and they were on the trail to answers. A month later, now we have a diagnosis, answers, and medications to help control the disorder. My daughter calls Dr. Assanasen (Dr. Awesome Awesome), for me the name fits. University Hospital staff, nurses, and social workers made our stay as nice as possible. Eventhough it was a grueling stay, we were well cared for, and I felt like every person there wanted to help my child.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Blood & Cancer Center - University Health University Hospital