Miller Children’s Hospital Hematology-Oncology Physician Recognized as Top in Field by “Consumer’s Guide to Top Doctors”

Dr. Jerry Finklestein highlighted as only Los Angeles pediatric hematology-oncology physician on list

LONG BEACH, Calif.– Sept. 10, 2009 – Dr. Jerry Finklestein, medical director of the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children’s Hospital, has been recognized as a top pediatric hematology-oncology physician by peers in the 2009 “Consumer’s Guide to Top Doctors.” Recognized for his long-standing commitment to treating children with cancer and serious blood-related illnesses, Dr. Finklestein is the only pediatric hematology-oncology physician in Los Angeles county named to the list.

Written by the editors of Consumers Checkbook Magazine, the guide is published once a year and provides a state-by-state listing of medical specialists who have been most frequently mentioned by their peers in a survey.

“When we first opened the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center more than 25 years ago, we did so with the intention of providing our young patients with a holistic treatment approach to meet their complete medical, emotional, scholastic and social needs from the time of diagnosis to treatment and beyond,” said Dr. Finklestein. “Through this innovative and compassionate care, we’re able to see a patient throughout their entire lifetime. There is simply no greater joy in life than watching a patient, diagnosed with a serious illness at a young age, walk down the aisle on their wedding day.”

Dr. Finklestein has worked with pediatric hematology-oncology patients for nearly 40 years and is the founding medical director of the JJCCC. He received his education at McGill University in Montreal Canada, and completed his pediatric training at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and his hematology-oncology training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. In 1976, he created the hematology-oncology service at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach.

In 1983, the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center was created after Jonathan Jaques, a 16-year-old patient, gave his life savings to his parents and asked them to establish a fund to help other children with cancer. Although Jonathan lost his battle with cancer, his legacy lives on through the center that was dedicated in his name at Miller Children’s Hospital more than 25 years ago. Today, JJCCC is well- known for its comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to patient care and research for curing and controlling childhood cancer and blood diseases.

About Miller Children’s Hospital: Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach provides specialized pediatric care for children and young adults, with conditions ranging from common to complex—as well as maternity care for expectant mothers—all under one roof. Only five percent of all hospitals are children’s hospitals, making them unique not only to children’s health care needs in the community, but across the region. Miller Children’s is one of only eight free-standing children’s hospitals in California.

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