Families dismayed that pediatric oncology program suspended

URBANA – Patti Welander thinks about the countless nights during her young son's ordeal with cancer that his doctor, Mark Musselman, came to the hospital to see him.

Often, she'd feel bad about interrupting Musselman's evenings, but he was so devoted to his patients he never seemed to mind.

"He never complained about that," she said.

Now, Welander and other parents of children being treated by Musselman at Carle Foundation Hospital's pediatric hematology/oncology program say they just can't believe what Carle officials have told them: The program will end Oct. 31 because Musselman, its only doctor, chose to switch to a general pediatrics practice at Carle Clinic.

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