Sickle Cell Disease - Transitional Care

Because sickle cell disease (SCD) is a lifelong condition, it’s important to find the right doctors for each stage of life. As children grow into teens and young adults, they will need to transition from primary care into adult care. This not only means finding the right doctor who will understand their health needs as they get older, but also finding a team support to them in their journey towards independence.

At BMC, our Transitional Care Clinic works closely with patients and their families to gradually teach adolescent and young adult patients how to manage their own health and how to advocate for themselves. Our team provides support to help our young adult patients grow into mature, responsible adults who can manage their health on their own, while providing a safety net as they learn these new skills.

Our transitional care clinic helps our patients move from pediatric to adult care, starting at around age 21 until age 24. Doctors from both the pediatric and adult clinics work together with patients to slowly transition their care.

During that time, our team can help young adult patients learn how to:
•   Keep track of their medical appointments
•   Prevent and treat pain
•   Get their prescriptions filled and refilled on time, so they don’t miss doses
•   Take pain medications safely
•   Follow their sickle cell pain plan, when to call their doctor, and when to seek care in the Emergency Department
•   Prevent complications by staying hydrated
•   Cope with living with SCD

Contact Us

Pediatric Clinic

850 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
6th Floor
Yawkey Center 617.414.4841

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:30PM Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Specialty Clinics

Sickle Cell Disease - Pediatric Clinic

In our Pediatric Sickle Cell Program, our specialists provide comprehensive care for hundreds of pediatric patients and understand the specific needs of kids born with sickle cell disease (SCD). Our goal is to help children with SCD lead normal, healthy, carefree lives as much as possible.

Sickle Cell Disease - Adult Clinic

At BMC, we’re home to the largest center for sickle cell disease (SCD) in New England, with hematologists who specialize in treating adults with SCD. Our core team also works closely with a wide range of sub-specialists, such as pulmonologists, nephrologists, and primary care doctors who understand the needs and many complications of patients with SCD.

Conditions We Treat

Sickle Cell Disease

Patient Stories

Kimora's Story

Helen's Story

Support Services

Rooftop Farm

Three stories above BMC's power plant thrives a 2,658 square foot farm with more than 30 crops. The farm not only provides fresh, local produce to our hospitalized patients, cafeterias, Teaching Kitchen, and Preventive Food Pantry, but is also part of BMC's commitment to going green. The farm reduces the hospital's carbon footprint, increases green space, and reduces energy use, including the energy required to transport food.