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Stephanie Massaro, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology)
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Additional Titles

Medical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Director, Pediatric Palliative Care

About

Titles

Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology)

Medical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Director, Pediatric Palliative Care

Biography

Dr. Massaro obtained a Medical Degree from Albany Medical College, then went on to complete a residency in Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Medical Center Hospital for Children. Dr. Massaro completed subspecialty fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Yale University School of Medicine. In 2009, Dr. Massaro joined Yale Medicine and is now an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the section of Hematology/Oncology. Stephanie is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Her clinical and research interests include the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric blood cancers including leukemia and lymphoma. In addition, Dr. Massaro is the medical director of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Inpatient Unit and director of the Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care Program at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. Dr. Massaro serves on the Yale-New Haven Hospital Quality and Safety Committee, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Oncology Committee, as well as several community foundation boards.

Appointments

Education & Training

Postdoctoral Fellow
Yale University School of Medicine (2009)
Clinical Fellow
Yale University School of Medicine (2007)
Resident
University of Maryland Medical Center (2006)
Intern
University of Maryland Medical Center (2004)
MD
Albany Medical College (2003)
MPH
Boston University School of Public Health, Epidemiology/Biostatistics (1999)
BA
Colby College, Biology/ Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (1997)

Research

Overview

Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia (AMKL) is a rare form of pediatric leukemia that disproportionately affects children. AMKL associated with the chromosomal translocation fusing RNA Binding Motif 15 gene (RBM15) on chromosome 1 upstream of the transcriptional cofactor Megakaryoblastic Leukemia 1 gene (MKL1) on chromosome
22 (t1;22), is most commonly diagnosed in infants less than three months of age and requires aggressive medical
management. Thus, it is likely that the leukemia originates in utero when the hematopoietic system is in its embryonic or fetal stages. We successfully recapitulated megkaryopoiesis in vitro using human embryonic stem cells and established a model system in which to study megakaryocyte differentiation. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer a mechanism to study embryogenesis and to understand the processes of fetal blood maturation and leukemia development. We seek to further define the roles of MKL1 and RBM15 during hESC-derived megakaryopoiesis. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the fusion product (RBM15-MKL1) promotes the leukemic
phenotype by causing aberrant Notch signaling and subsequent derangement of the RB tumor suppressor pathway. We are currently studying the interactions of RBM15,MKL1 and RBM15-MKL1, with regulators of cell growth and differentiation during megakaryocyte development using both primary AMKL patient samples and this in vitro model of developmental hematopoieisis.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Cell Differentiation; Hematologic Neoplasms; Leukemoid Reaction; Preleukemia

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Stephanie Massaro's published research.

Publications

Clinical Trials

Current Trials

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    Yale University

  • activity

    Yale University

  • activity

    American Academy of Pediatrics

  • activity

    American Society of Hematology

  • honor

    The Amity Charitable Trust on behalf of The Kacey Rose Foundation

Clinical Care

Overview

Stephanie A. Massaro, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician who specializes in hematology, oncology, and palliative care. Dr. Massaro’s primary research and clinical practice focus on abnormal blood development and blood cancers, specifically acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Dr. Massaro has a particular interest in Down Syndrome-associated leukemia. She is the medical director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and co-director of the Yale Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Program. In addition, Dr. Massaro has established a Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Yale. The interdisciplinary team works to improve quality of life, support goals of care, and transition to hospice care at end-of-life.

Dr. Massaro seeks to provide the best care possible for patients and their families. Her goal is to help children with serious illnesses enjoy life across their care journey. She provides palliative and hospice care to children with chronic life-limiting illnesses, including cancer, genetic and neuromuscular disorders, and other conditions requiring frequent interventions and hospitalizations, which negatively impact quality of life. “When a child is diagnosed with leukemia at age 3, the toddler, pre-school, and kindergarten years are inevitably affected by treatment. They aren’t going to get that time back. So, we want them to find opportunities to do all the things that children do at those ages,” she says.

End-of-life care is exceptionally challenging, she explains. “Most families struggle with how best to transition care without feeling like they are abandoning their child,” she says. “We help patients, families, and providers focus the goals of care on aggressive symptom management, as well as support meaningful experiences and promote legacy building."

Dr. Massaro believes there are great rewards in developing intimate relationships with patients and families. “As an oncologist, I do a lot of talking. I think part of it is knowing how to have true and honest conversations and then, to really listen,” she says.

Dr. Massaro values these partnerships and remains committed to serving children in her community, whatever the situation. “I’ve found families are relieved and grateful to have this kind of support as they face the most difficult circumstances,” she says. “It’s my privilege to hold them up when they can no longer stand.”

Clinical Specialties

Pediatric Hematology & Oncology

Fact Sheets

Yale Medicine News

Get In Touch

Contacts

Academic Office Number
Appointment Number
Clinic Fax Number
Mailing Address

Pediatric Hematology & Oncology

PO Box 208064

New Haven, CT 06520-8064

United States

Locations

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