Pediatric Heart Transplants
Lurie Children’s performed the first pediatric heart transplant in Illinois in 1988. Today, our Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplantation Program is the largest and most experienced in the region, renowned for handling the most complex cases and serving as a national and international leader in transplant care.
Having performed over 475 transplants in our program's history, our surgeons have vast experience transplanting young patients with a wide array of complex and high-risk conditions. Patients’ heart problems range from those present at birth (congenital) to arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy.
Despite the complexity of our patients’ conditions, our patient outcomes are better than national averages for pediatric transplant centers. Learn more about our patient outcomes.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children's is ranked 24th in the nation for child cardiology and heart surgery by U.S.News & World Report.
Trust Us with Children's Heart Transplants
We provide family-centered care, which means the entire family is involved in the patient’s treatment plan. We use a multidisciplinary team to plan your child’s treatment so that your child gets the most comprehensive care possible, along with many support programs. Our team members are from various healthcare specialties, and they bring a variety of experiences to the table. They will all weigh in on your child’s treatment and use their combined perspectives to create a holistic care plan that focuses on the whole person.
Lurie Children’s pioneers research on how to improve children’s congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy treatment, while also researching the causes of childhood heart disease. Current studies focus on topics such as improving quality of life after a transplant and reducing the risk of organ rejection. The hospital is a founding member of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society, a group of hospitals that share a research database dedicated to advancing children’s transplant care.
Care for Families with Cardiomyopathy
The Families with Cardiomyopathy Clinic offers evaluation and treatment for patients with familial cardiomyopathy. In our unique approach, the whole family is seen during the same clinic visit.
Examining cardiomyopathy in parents and children at the same time allows us to develop specialized treatment plans that are customized to your family’s genetic needs. In addition, combining the parents’ cardiac visit with their children’s visit allows for fewer trips to the cardiologist, and fewer missed school and work days. We also offer ongoing treatment, second opinions and genetic evaluation.
The clinic is a collaboration between Lurie Children’s Heart Center and the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine. It is the only clinic of its kind in Illinois.
What to Expect from a Children's Heart Transplant at Lurie Children's
Our heart transplant program offers unique treatments, including:
- Heart transplants in nonmatching blood groups (ABO incompatible heart transplants) in infants who are younger than 1 year old
- Re-transplant in patients who develop transplant coronary artery disease
- Operation on patients with artificial hearts, mechanical heart pumps or other types of mechanical ventilatory support
The program also offers a bridge or long-term option to transplant using a wide range of ventricular assist devices (VADs).
Your child’s first appointment with the heart transplant team may include:
- A physical exam and a review of their health history
- A psychosocial (mental and emotional health) assessment
- Imaging and lab tests as needed
- A financial needs assessment
After consulting each other, the team will decide if a heart transplant is suitable for your child. If so, we’ll provide support and education through every step of the transplant process and beyond.
Whether your child is a candidate for a transplant or not, we have the advanced resources needed to care for your child. Our 48-bed Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit provides 24-hour intensive care when needed.
Pediatric Heart Transplant Team
Lurie Children's Heart Transplant team includes experts from various healthcare specialties. Together, they work to create a holistic care plan that focuses on the whole person.
Pediatric Cardiologists
Philip T. Thrush, MD
Medical Director, Heart Transplant Program
Katheryn E. Gambetta, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Ashish Garg, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Anna G. Joong, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Brian A. Madden, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Defne A. Magnetta, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Erika J. Mejia, MD
Attending Physician, Palliative Care; Attending Physician, Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program
Adam K. Morrison, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology
Pediatric Heart Transplant Surgeons
Michael C. Mongé, MD
Surgical Director, Heart Transplant Program
Allison B. Davila, MD
Attending Surgeon, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery
David S. Winlaw, MD, FRACS
Division Head, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery
Advanced Practice Nurses & Nurse Coordinators
Grace Macek, APRN-NP
Associate Director, NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program: Child & Adolescent Clinic; Manager, Advanced Practice Providers; Advanced Practice Provider, Outpatient Cardiology
Stephanie Messerschmidt, APRN-NP
Advanced Practice Provider, Outpatient Cardiology
Catherine Theis, DNP, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Advanced Practice Provider, Inpatient Cardiology
Jodi M. Bohl, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Advanced Practice Provider, Inpatient Cardiology
Nicole L. Brazg, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiology
Anne Gordon, APRN-NP, PNP
Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiology
Nora Hammond, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Advanced Practice Provider, Inpatient Cardiology
Amanda C. Hartmann, MSN, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Advanced Practice Provider, Inpatient Cardiology
Alison N. Kula, DNP, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC
Advanced Practice Provider, Cardiology
Elizabeth A. McGhee, APRN-NP
Advanced Practice Provider, Outpatient Cardiology
Melanie Sojka, APRN-NP
Advanced Practice Provider, Outpatient Cardiology
Nicole Bonner, RN
Mackenzie Hume, RN
Julie Rollings, RN
Nutritionists
Organ Procurement Coordinators
Transplant Support Staff
Elaine Cesar, LSW
Social Worker
Meredyth A. Evans, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Justina Hathi, PharmD
Katie Meyers, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Natalia Panek, PharmD
Transplant Pharmacist
Nayda Rivera-Escanio
Transplant Assistant
Maria Robles
ParentWISE Coordinator
Henry Rosh, LSW
Social Worker
Agnes Szarek, PharmD
Transplant Pharmacist
Make an Appointment
Call to make an appointment with our pediatric transplant team.
Transplant Remote Consultations & Second Opinions
Whether you anticipate your child needing an organ transplant in the future, interested in multiple listing for organ transplant, or would like a second opinion on post-transplant care, the transplant remote consultation and second opinion program can help.
Our transplant providers are available for an initial consultation to review your care, explain our transplant process, and provide second opinions of post transplant care treatment plans before deciding if traveling to Lurie Children’s would be the right choice for you.
Our Research
Lurie Children's has long been a pioneer in the treatment of congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy in children. Research into causes and outcomes of pediatric heart disease has been a critical component of the Heart Center at Lurie Children's since the early 1960s.
Each year, approximately eight out of every 1,000 babies born will have a heart defect. Over the past 50 years, tremendous technological advances made possible through research have allowed diagnostic and surgical expertise to flourish with better outcomes and longer life expectancy for these patients.
Transplantation-related research has been directed toward the understanding of mechanisms in chronic rejection, establishment of tolerance and xenotransplantation.
Heart Center Family Resource Guide
To help prepare families for their care with Lurie Children's Heart Center, we have compiled a list of resources about treatment and recovery. Learn how to get ready for an inpatient stay or outpatient visit, and read about our support services for patients and families.
Community Resources
We are committed to offering transplant patients and families comprehensive care and offers a wide variety of support services.
The following are links to community resources, such as the support groups and educational materials:
- American Heart Association
- Children and Clinical Studies
- Children's Organ Transplant Association
- International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
- The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) the National Institutes of Health
- The Nicholas Green Foundation
- United Network for Organ Sharing
Heart Transplantation News & Stories
Why Lurie Children's is the Right Choice for Your Child's Heart Transplant
Choosing the right hospital for a child’s heart transplant is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. Our Heart Center team wants to help make this decision easier.
Heart Transplant Survival Rate in Kids
Lure Children's heart transplantation has significantly improved the lives of countless children with severe heart conditions. Here are some common questions about heart transplant survival rates in children.
Lurie Children’s Transplant Expertise Shines in Record-Breaking Year
Lurie Children’s surpassed a hospital record in its recent fiscal year by performing a record 140 pediatric transplants, including, heart, kidney, liver and stem cell.
High-Risk Pediatric Heart Transplants with Drs. Michael Mongé and Philip Thrush
In this episode, Dr. Michael Mongé and Dr. Philip Thrush discuss how their team is uniquely equipped to take on high-risk pediatric heart transplantation patients, who are often turned away at other hospitals.
With Comprehensive Cardiology Care, Xavier Kicks Off a Bright Future
Xavier received a life-saving heart transplant, becoming the first patient with muscular dystrophy to undergo this surgery at Lurie Children's. His strength helps pave the way for future heart transplants in children with neuromuscular disorders.
‘Welcome to Your New Home:’ A Look at the Process of Transporting Hearts
Alexa Tannous, one of the physician assistants (PA) in the Heart Center’s cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, shares these details and more on the integral – and emotional – process of safely transporting these precious organs.
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.