Nemours Children’s Health announced the appointment of David Dickens, MD, FAAP, as Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology for Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.

“Dr. Dickens brings demonstrated experience, vision and passion that will strengthen and advance our hematology/oncology team,” said Heather Fagan, MD, MS, FAAP, Pediatrician in Chief and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.

“With Dr. Dickens’ leadership, we will accelerate and amplify our efforts to provide the highest quality of care and expand our program to help more children with cancer and blood disorders. We look forward to the many discoveries and advancements ahead that will benefit all entrusted to our care.”

Dr. Dickens is recognized for his expertise in leukemia and lymphoma treatment. He has been widely acknowledged for his dedication to leading multi-institutional clinical research and trials, as well as advancing medical education, improving care quality, and creating health policies that put patients and families first.

“Nemours Children’s Health has a strong commitment to advancing pediatric cancer and blood disorder care through innovation, research and family-centered treatment. I look forward to working alongside this exceptional team to deliver optimal outcomes to children and families facing challenging diagnoses across Central Florida and beyond,” said David Dickens, MD, FAAP, Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology for Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.

Dr. Dickens previously served as the University of Iowa Dance Marathon Endowed Chair in Pediatric Oncology, Clinical and Translational Research, and also served as Clinical Director of Pediatric Oncology Services, and Director of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Iowa. He has held roles in national organizations including the Children’s Oncology Group, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and the Alliance for Childhood Cancer. 

As part of his new role, Dr. Dickens will oversee $7.5 million in annual grant funding received from the State of Florida’s Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator. This funding will help develop better treatments, improve access to clinical trials, and further work being done to find cures for childhood cancer. 

Dr. Dickens completed his fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology and stem cell transplantation at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.

He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is an American Board of Pediatric Subspecialist in hematology/oncology.

About Nemours Children’s Health 

Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two freestanding children’s hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children’s seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also addressing children’s needs well beyond medicine. In producing the highly acclaimed, award-winning pediatric medicine podcast Well Beyond Medicine, Nemours underscores that commitment by featuring the people, programs and partnerships addressing whole child health. Nemours Children’s also powers the world’s most-visited website with health information written for parents, kids and teens, Nemours KidsHealth. 

The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org.