Our multidisciplinary team of sickle cell disease specialists, nurses, and social workers provides highly personalized care tailored to each patient, including transformative gene therapies. With dedicated pediatric and adult programs and a Transitional Care Clinic, we ensure consistent, coordinated support at every stage of life. We are also committed to advancing treatment options that can ease pain and reduce complications. ### Sickle Cell Disease Program - [Contact Us](#contact-us) - [Specialty Clinics](#specialty-clinics) - [Conditions We Treat](#conditions-we-treat) - [Patient Stories](#patient-stories) - [Our Team](#our-team) - [Department News](#department-news) - [Research](#research) - [Affiliations](#affiliations) ## Contact Us ##### Adult Clinic [ 830 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 3rd Floor BMC, Moakley Building ](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/830+Harrison+Avenue,+Boston,+MA+02118) [617.638.6428](tel:617.638.6428) Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM [ ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/5c43790c-e43c-434b-b828-604e66749757/DSALAFIA_A82X2811?io=transform:fill,width:300,height:200&format=jpg) ](/content/moakley-building) ##### Pediatric Clinic [ 850 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 6th Floor BMC, Yawkey Center ](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/850+Harrison+Ave,+Boston,+MA+02118) [617.414.4841](tel:617.414.4841) Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:30PM Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM [ ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/44b28318-31b9-4ea4-a592-0744d76dc07f/IMG_7637?io=transform:fill,width:300,height:200&format=jpg) ](/content/yawkey-ambulatory-care-center) ## Specialty Clinics [### Sickle Cell Disease Adult Clinic The largest SCD center in New England, where adult hematologists care for people living with sickle cell disease with pain relief, blood transfusions, and newer treatments like gene therapies. ](/departments/sickle-cell-disease-adult-clinic) [### Sickle Cell Disease Pediatric Clinic Expert children’s sickle cell care, including early diagnosis, transfusions, pain management, and advanced therapies, from pediatric hematologists that support each child’s health and development through personalized, long-term care planning. ](/departments/sickle-cell-disease-pediatric-clinic) [### Sickle Cell Disease Transitional Care Clinic BMC’s Transitional Care Clinic team, which includes both pediatric and adult sickle cell specialists, works closely with patients and their families during this time to help our young adult patients grow into mature, responsible adults who can manage thei ](/departments/sickle-cell-disease-transitional-care-clinic) ## Conditions We Treat - [Sickle Cell Disease](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/sickle-cell-disease) ## Patient Stories ### [Richie's Story](/sickle-cell-disease/richies-life-sickle-cell) Read More ![Richies' Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/9fe36079-35fb-4538-bc34-d5be9b22d3d5/Richie-Thumbnail) ### [Kimora's Story](/sickle-cell-disease/patient-stories#kimora's-story) Read More ![Kimora's Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/12534eed-bb7e-4308-bc9b-857194952803/Screen-Shot-2022-12-28-at-10-58-28-AM) ### [Massiel's Story]() Read More ![Massiel's Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/20fb23f4-44f3-4f31-b809-e8b80a4bfefe/Massiel-Rabeia-SCD-Moakley-Green-Event-9_13-2) ### [Ingrid's Story](/sickle-cell-disease/patient-stories#ingrid's-story) Read More ![Ingrid's Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/292b66e1-c1ce-402e-9d05-4687dac515ba/Sickle_Cell-Disease-_Awareness_September-_Ingrid_Ortiz) ### [Helen's Story](/sickle-cell-disease/patient-stories#helen's-story) Read More ![Helen's Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/6df8f342-2c49-470a-91b9-32ec8e7c4b87/GT-Email-1-Helen-and-Dr-McMahon) ### [Anonymous Patient Story]() Read More ![Anonymous Patient Story](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/c89bce5c-b47d-4f95-b4ab-1ad04759dcc1/SCD-Patient-Story) ## Our Team ### [Elizabeth S. Klings, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/elizabeth-s-klings-md) Pulmonologist; Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Center; Director of Clinical Research, Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/408f3846-0617-4413-b63e-4aa09ffdbfc6/Liz-Klings-2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Amy E. Sobota, MD, MPH](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/amy-e-sobota-md-mph) Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist; Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/1b31a321-7974-4182-a838-7513bc8d8d4e/Amy-Sobota-2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Santia Berberena, PsyD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/santia-berberena-psyd) Clinical Health Psychologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/3c0e2c5e-868b-4870-8bcf-5e37b4e10171/Berberena_Santia_1?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Robyn T. Cohen, MD, MPH](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/robyn-t-cohen-md) Pediatric Pulmonologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/358e2287-3f0e-4f94-89b5-0a86235f25ed/Robyn-Cohen_web?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Lillian E.C. McMahon, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/lillian-e-mcmahon-md) Hematologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/a9a77f17-bee0-420a-a73f-d168ff2e7b27/Lillian_McMahon_45-1_2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Caitlin M. Neri, MD, MPH](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/caitlin-m-neri-md) Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist ![Headshot of Caitlin M. Neri, MD, MPH, pediatric hematologist-oncologist and sickle cell specialist at Boston Medical Center](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/6e318d26-26bd-4e72-837d-7c7c02c2ed65/Caitlin-M-Neri-MD-MPH-2x3-crop?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Melisa Ruiz-Gutierrez, MD, PhD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/melisa-ruiz-gutierrez-md) Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist ![Placeholder image for doctor](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/headshoticon-v2.svg) ### [Martin H. Steinberg, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/martin-h-steinberg-md) Hematologist ![Placeholder image for doctor](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/headshoticon-v2.svg) ### [Reggie R. Thomasson, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/reggie-r-thomasson-md) Chief and Vice Chair, Laboratory Medicine; Medical Director, Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine Service ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/79f65df8-7bba-44e1-ba90-bb90bac0545b/Reggie-Thomasson?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Darryl A. Woods, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/darryl-woods-md) Primary Care Physician ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/543e520d-67c0-49ee-84b7-9723106a19eb/Woods-Darryl?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ## Department News ### [Turning the Page on a New Chapter—Congratulations, Bob David!](https://www.bmc.org/stories/turning-page-new-chapter-congratulations-bob-david) After 17 years, BMC’s Cancer and Sickle Cell Support Group Manager is Ready for his Next Chapter. Robert “Bob” David began his Boston Medical Center story 17 years ago when he joined as the Manager… Sep 16 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Dashawn’s Story](https://www.bmc.org/stories/dashawns-story) “I have sickle cell — but sickle cell doesn’t have me.”For most of his life, 35-year-old Dashawn Dowdy has lived with sickle cell disease (SCD)—a genetic condition that affects the red blood cells… Sep 05 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Becoming Her Own Best Advocate](https://www.bmc.org/stories/becoming-her-own-best-advocate) Meet Cloret Carl, a longtime patient of BMC’s Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease. Growing up, Cloret and several of her 11 siblings managed sickle cell disease (SCD) with little support. Oct 11 ![Cloret Carl](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/Cloret-Carl-new.jpg?itok=97zQPbYn) ### [A Diagnosis Leads to Treatment of Lifelong Pain](https://www.bmc.org/stories/diagnosis-leads-treatment-lifelong-pain) Ernest Alce didn’t find out that he had sickle cell disease (SCD) until he was in his 30s. “I always had a lot of pain, but I never knew why, and I never went to the doctor to find out,” he says… Sep 29 ![A Diagnosis Leads to Treatment of Lifelong Pain](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/scd1.jpg?itok=acm5bHxb) ### [Finding hope for sickle cell disease at BMC](https://www.bmc.org/stories/finding-hope-sickle-cell-disease-bmc) As a child in Puerto Rico, Helen became increasingly ill due to sickle cell disease — a debilitating, life-threatening condition that affects the body’s red blood cells. Local hospitals didn’t have… Nov 28 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Massiel Finds Support and Stable Health at BMC](https://www.bmc.org/stories/massiel-finds-support-and-stable-health-bmc) When reflecting on the past year living with sickle cell disease (SCD), 38-year-old Massiel Rivera doesn’t pretend it’s been easy. SCD is not only painful, but it also causes a lack of blood and… Nov 28 ![Photo of Massiel Rivera](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/bmc-patient-stories-massiel-rivera.jpg?itok=fjlY1FwZ) ### [Athletes gearing up for Boston Triathlon on July 24](https://www.bmc.org/news/athletes-gearing-boston-triathlon-july-24) Athletes across the city are pumping up their tires and lacing up their shoes for the Boston Triathlon next weekend. Many are raising important dollars for critical programs at Boston Medical Center. Jul 15 ![Boston Medical Center Logo](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/news.png?itok=X78RULJf "Boston Medical Center Logo") ### [Ingrid Ortiz’s Care at BMC Has Made Her a Sickle Cell Disease Advocate](https://www.bmc.org/stories/sickle-cell-diease-ingrid-ortiz) BMC patient Ingrid Ortiz was diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) when she was born. Until she was 8 years old, Ingrid was treated at BMC. She returned as an adult, reconnecting with Dr. Lillian… Sep 28 ![News article icon](/themes/custom/bmc_base_theme/assets/images/placeholders/news.png) ### [Helping Patients through the Challenges of Sickle Cell Disease in Adolescence to Adulthood](https://www.bmc.org/stories/helping-patients-through-challenges-sickle-cell-disease-adolescence-adulthood) For children with sickle cell disease, the transition period from adolescence to adulthood is seen as a vulnerable time as young patients gradually take on more responsibility for their care.In… Aug 19 ![woman with glasses](/sites/default/files/styles/image_620w/public/news-images/kimora.png?itok=58yvKecO) ## Research BMC researchers are finding innovative new ways to treat and cure blood disorders. As our patient, you'll have access to a wide range of clinical trials from both BMC researchers and researchers at other institutions. While we enroll any and all eligible patients in clinical trials, BMC physicians are in particular leaders in the enrollment of under-represented minorities in clinical trials. [Learn more about clinical trials for Sickle Cell Disease at BMC.](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/clinicaltrials/sickle-cell-disease/) ## Affiliations ![BUSM](/sites/default/files/2024-04/Busm%20from%20BMC.jpeg) ### [Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/) As the principal teaching affiliate of Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center is devoted to training future generations of healthcare professionals. Learn more about Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.