Meet Dr. Lauren Akers
Dr. Akers knew that she was going to be a pediatrician when she was 12 years old, after losing a childhood friend to cystic fibrosis. During college and for three years after graduation, she worked at the UC Davis Medical Center as a clinical research coordinator in the fields of cardiology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, women's health and asthma. Though she enjoyed her research, she never lost sight of her original dream of helping children, and returned to school to obtain her medical degree in 1998.
During medical school and residency, Dr. Akers became interested in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. She was drawn to taking care of her patients at their sickest and most vulnerable times, and watching them respond to treatment and thrive. "Children have such an amazing resiliency, and caring for them is an honor and a privilege," says Dr. Akers.
After completing her fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Akers joined the Hematology and Oncology team at Cook Children's in 2008. She takes care of children with a variety of cancers and blood disorders. Her experience as a clinical research coordinator prior to medical school has been very beneficial in enrolling patients on multiple clinical trials. Participating in clinical research is why pediatric cancer survival rates have steadily improved over the last 30 years.
Dr. Akers is excited to be a part of Cook Children's expansion into Prosper, where she is the Hematology and Oncology physician in the new multi-specialty clinic and medical center. The opening of the multispecialty clinic has given children in Denton and Collin counties the ability to have hematology consultations, short infusions and chemotherapy much closer to home. When the Infusion Center and medical center open, these services will be greatly expanded.
Outside of work, Dr. Akers enjoys spending time with her family, especially her husband and daughter. She enjoys traveling, family game nights, reading, and playing the piano.
Services
- Cancer diagnosis and care
- Chemotherapy
- Hematology consultations
- Infusions
- Oncology consultations
Reviews
Average rating:
Questions were addressed |
4.9
|
Provider explained things clearly |
4.9
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Likelihood of recommending this provider |
4.9
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Trust/confidence in physicians |
4.9
|
What our families say
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October 17, 2024
Dr. Ackers is wonderful. Kind and thorough. Thankful for her expertise.
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September 19, 2024
My child loves this team. They are a wonderful group of nurses that work together, takes time to learn the child and parent, they listen and they to accommodate as needed. Very prompt and respectful
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August 23, 2024
The phlebotomy tec was very kind and offered numbing spray as my son hates having his blood drawn.
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August 21, 2024
The entire staff was so amazing.
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August 21, 2024
When it was time for the blood draw the three women that performed the draw was the best experience for me. They made me feel at ease and my baby was did amazing with the nurses distracting him getting the job done quickly And safe.
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August 17, 2024
The nurse n the doctor both were good n very patient
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August 17, 2024
It was a good experience as my husband couldn't accompany me I was nervous but the blood work was smooth
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August 01, 2024
Excellent staff, very pleasant experience.
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August 01, 2024
Dr. Akers, the nurse and receptionist were excellent!
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July 24, 2024
I appreciated how much time the doctor spent with us and listened to what we had to say.
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July 11, 2024
The MA was super nice and took blood easily. Doctor answered all my questions
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June 15, 2024
From registration at the front, they were awesome. The two who took the labs were awesome with my daughter. The provider was awesome from start to finish. I wish everywhere we go in this world there were more people like them. Taking pride in their job I could tell they loved what they do.
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May 23, 2024
We had a great first visit. Wait time were short and doctors took their time and listened to concerns and explained in detail all questions. It was interesting because there were other patients out front but once in a room we felt like we were the only patients there. It was a great experience.
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May 05, 2024
The two nurses were excellent, very friendly, and welcoming our child was very kind. The Dr., was very kind, knowledgeable, and sweet especially when talking about the diagnosis
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April 26, 2024
Dr.Aker is so thorough, a great listener, and she truly cared about helping us figure out what was wrong with my daughter.The nurse, MA, and child life specialist made this the smoothest and lowest anxiety appointment we have ever had with my child! Thankful for such a wonderful crew!
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April 25, 2024
WE LOVE EVERYONE IN DR. AKERS OFFICE AND INFUSION. [...] WITH CHILD LIFE. THEY ARE ALL AMAZING. WE HAVE BECOME MORE LIKE FAMILY WITH ALL OF THEM DUE TO OUR WEEKLY VISITS. THEY EASE OUR MINDS WITH ANY CONCERNS WE HAVE AND THEY TREAT OUR BABY GIRL THE BEST AND SPOIL HER. SHE LOVES GOING TO SEE DR. AKERS AND ALL HER STAFF.
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April 06, 2024
Dr. Akers does a wonderful job of relating to our child, and explaining things so that she understands. Our daughter often repeats what Dr Akers taught her when she is talking to others about her appointments. Hannah is our nurse from infusion- she heard that our child was in for a check-up and came in to say Hi and check about how she was feeling after her infusion. It was above and beyond the regular care, and our daughter loved seeing her.
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April 03, 2024
Dr. Akers was so easy to talk to and she did such an amazing job of explaining everything we needed to know about my son's condition. She took all the time we needed as parents to answer questions and not once did we feel rushed. Her nurse that took my son's vitals and information was friendly, helpful and patient.
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February 28, 2024
Both the assistant and Dr made the experience pleasant. The facility and everyone was topnotch service
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February 28, 2024
You always worry when you are told to see a specialist, but I felt good about coming to Cook's. The Dr was knowledgeable, quick and prompt with her diagnosis and treatment.
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February 16, 2024
Everyone we have encountered has been phenomenal!
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February 12, 2024
Every single person we came into contact with on the day of our visit was excellent, we would highly recommend.
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February 01, 2024
Dr Akers was amazing! She was caring, thorough and extremely knowledgeable.
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January 26, 2024
Dr. Akers, Nurse Judy
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January 26, 2024
No complaints ever from ER to doctors visit. No bad news.
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January 15, 2024
Nurse Mindy was great and Dr. Akers was also very good
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January 04, 2024
Dr. Akers Was amazing! She took the time to go through all of our questions and didn't make us feel rushed at all.
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December 29, 2023
It was well-coordinated with spectacular timing.
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December 29, 2023
The doctor took valuable time to discuss the condition and recommendations.
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December 14, 2023
All staff was very kind
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December 14, 2023
The visit was wonderful and all the staff was very kind! I thought the environment was very well designed for children and we had an amazing experience!
Publications
- Kannan, S., Sutphin, R. M., Hall, M. G., Golfman, L. S., Fang, W., Nolo, R. M., AKERS, L. J., Hammitt, R. A., McMurray, J. S., Kornblau, S. M., Melnick, A. M., Figueroa, M. E., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2013). Notch activation inhibits AML growth and survival: A potential therapeutic approach. The Journal of Experimental Medicine, 210(2), 321-337.
- Levy, A. G., Zage, P. E., AKERS, L. J., Ghisoli, M. L., Chen, Z., Fang, W., Kannan, S., Graham, T., Zeng, L., Franklin, A. R., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2012). The combination of the novel glycolysis inhibitor 3-BrOP and rapamycin is effective against neuroblastoma. Investigational New Drugs, 30(1), 191-199.
- MURRAY, J. C., AKERS, L. J., HEYM, K., & Biegel, J. (2012). Sequential childhood neoplasms-leukemia following central nervous system tumors. Paper presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO 2012), New Orleans, LA. Mary 9-12, 2012, 58(7) 1056
- AKERS, L. J., Fang, W., Levy, A. G., Franklin, A. R., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2011). Targeting glycolysis in leukemia: A novel inhibitor 3-BrOP in combination with rapamycin. Leukemia Research, 35(6), 814-820.
Levy, A., AKERS, L. J., Ghisoli, M. L., Graham, T. C., Zeng, L., Nolo, R., Zage, P. E., Fang, W., Kannan, S., Franklin, A. R., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2009). Neuroblastoma and the Warburg effect: The novel glycolysis inhibitor 3-BrOP is effective in vitro and in vivo. 22nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, San Diego, CA. April 22-25, 2009 - AKERS, L. J., Franklin, A. R., Fang, W., Levy, A. G., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2008). The novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP, has broad activity against acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL), and synergizes with rapamycin. 21st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cincinnati, OH. May 14-17, 2008
- AKERS, L. J. (2007). The novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP, offers a potential therapeutic approach in ALL and AML. 20th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Toronto, Ontario Canada. May 3-7, 2007
- AKERS, L. J., Franklin, A. R., Fang, W., Levy, A. G., Huang, P., & Zweidler-McKay, P. A. (2007). The novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP, has broad activity against acute lymphoid leukemias and potentiates methotrexate and rapamycin. 49th ASH (American Society of Hematology) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Atlanta, GA. December 8-11, 2007, 110(11) Abs. 4203.
- AKERS, L. J., & Hughes, D. P. M. (2007). Decreasing clearance time of high-dose methotrexate following pre-treatment with folic acid. 20th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Toronto, Ontario Canada. May 3-7, 2007
Education
- Medical School:
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Residency:
- Austin Medical Education Programs, Seton Healthcare Network, Children's Hospital of Austin, Austin, Texas
- Fellowship:
- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Board Certifications:
- American Board of Pediatrics
- American Board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Affiliations
- Cook Children's Physician Network, American Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Oncology Group
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