Stem cell team and location

THE STEM CELL TEAM (WHO WE ARE)

The stem cell transplant team at KGH is specially trained to care for patients undergoing a stem cell transplant. You will meet some or most of these team members throughout your stem cell transplant process. 

• Click here to see who is involved in your care
• Click here to learn more about each team member

Kingston General Hospital is a teaching hospital. During your transplant process, you will meet students in addition to your regular health care team. These students may change during your treatment, but your stem cell transplant doctors will remain the same and continue to oversee your care.

Where we are (location)

The stem cell transplant unit is located on Kidd 9. The stem cell transplant unit is where you will receive most of your care as an outpatient before  your stem cell re-infusion. You may also be required to come back after your transplant for follow-up care.

You will also receive care in other areas of the hospital as well during your stem cell transplant, including:

• Imaging Services - where you will get some tests and procedures done, such as insertion of your temporary central line.
• Kidd 9 - the inpatient unit where you will stay during your stem cell recovery.

For more information about getting around KGH, click here.

Our Story

• In 2000, autologous stem cell transplants became standard treatment option for people with multiple myeloma and relapsed lymphoma.  At this time, people who needed a transplant would travel to Toronto, since Kingston General Hospital (KGH) had not yet developed a transplant program.  Patients received their pre-transplant chemotherapy and post-transplant recovery here at KGH. 
• In 2001, a committee formed called the “Southeast Ontario Stem  Cell Transplant Steering Committee” under the medical direction of Dr. John Matthews.  The committee put forward a plan to the Ministry of Health for an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Program to be established in Kingston.   The goal was to meet the needs of local patients requiring treatment.
• The Ministry approved funding for our program in March 2004. The first stem cell transplant at KGH was performed in January of 2005. Since that time, over 300 patients have received transplants at our centre.
• In 2008, the program was expanded to include patients outside of Kingston area, and the program now sees 60-70 patients a year from as far away as Oshawa and Peterborough.