C. Suzanne Saccente

C. Suzanne Saccente, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She holds multiple leadership roles, including Medical Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program, Apheresis Program, and THRIVE (Survivorship) Program. Her clinical practice focuses on complex pediatric hematologic and oncologic disorders, with expertise in stem cell collections, T-cell collections, and red cell exchange therapies for sickle cell patients.

Dr. Saccente completed her medical degree at the Medical University of South Carolina (1985-1989), followed by residency and fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Alabama Birmingham and Children’s Hospital of Alabama (1989-1995). She obtained certification from the American Board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in 1996 and has been affiliated with UAMS since 1996.

Her research interests emphasize clinical trials, particularly in sickle cell anemia treatments and Children’s Oncology Group studies. She currently leads three GBT/Pfizer Inclacumab trials and chairs the Transfusion Committee. Dr. Saccente is deeply committed to medical education, mentoring junior faculty, and training future clinicians through involvement in residency and fellowship programs.

She pioneered the Thrive Clinic to enhance long-term care for pediatric cancer survivors and manages the Heartland Sickle Cell Grant as site Principal Investigator. Her work integrates patient care innovation, translational research, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes for hematologic/oncologic patients.