Heart Transplant Program
The SickKids Heart Transplant Program provides the expertise and services needed to take care of patients of all ages who need or have a heart transplant. Ages range from newborn infants to late adolescent patients; with diagnoses of congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, cardiac rhythm problems and others. Post-transplant care is provided by a multi-disciplinary team approach that includes transplant nursing specialists, social workers, dietitians, occupational and physical therapists, pharmacists as well as paediatric transplant cardiologists. There is an active fellowship training program training the next generation of heart transplant specialists.
There is an active research component which explores novel aspects of transplantation medicine, including personalized medicine, newer approaches to dealing with the immune system (i.e. ABO incompatible transplantation, sensitized patients) and novel approaches to the diagnosis and management of the most common post-transplant complications.
Learn more about heart transplantation.
Heart Transplant Cardiologists
Heart Transplant Surgeons
Heart Transplant Team
Nurse Practitioners play a crucial role in the care of patients post heart transplant both on in the inpatient and outpatient settings. We work closely with the multidisciplinary heart transplant team to provide comprehensive care with a focus on patient/family education, preventative lifestyle care, aspects of medical management of both routine post heart transplant care as well as post transplant complications. Additionally, we organize, lead and coordinate care for adolescent patients who are transitioning to adult care.
- Lauren Scavuzzo
- Amelia Marrato
Nurse Coordinator / Clinical Research Nurse – participates in care of patients during all phases of the transplant process: pre-transplant evaluation, waitlist management and discharge/posttransplant care, teaching and follow-up. The clinical research nurse role encompasses submission of data to PHTS (Pediatric Heart Transplant Society) an international, prospective, event driven, quality improvement registry for pediatric heart transplantation in addition to participation in a number of other clinical research studies.
- Mirna Seifert-Hansen
Information Coordinator – responsible for supporting patients/families and the medical team in facilitating the delivery of patient care by providing support with the scheduling process and other administrative functions.
Dietitian – provides assessment, treatment and consultation for the broad spectrum of nutritional challenges in children with heart failure and post-transplant with an overall goal post-transplant to normalize feeding and growth according to developmental and functional level.
- Louise Bannister
Physiotherapist - provides assessment, treatment and consultation to children with movement dysfunction related to cardiorespiratory, neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, incorporating the principles of family-centered care. This can include areas of neurodevelopment, gross motor skills and health-related fitness.
- Robin Deliva
- Rebecca Tomasi
Occupational Therapist – provides assessment and treatment to prevent and address functional changes and developmental delays occurring from heart failure and following transplantation.
- Alison Schwartz
Social Work - provides specialized expertise in psychosocial interventions to assist with social, emotional and financial stressors, across the transplant trajectory. This includes psychosocial assessments and support, crisis prevention, adjustment to illness, and locating and advocating for resources.
- Heather Telfer
- Mayola Mathew
Child Life Specialist - help infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of hospitalization and illness. They use evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions which include therapeutic play, preparation for procedures and education to reduce fear, anxiety and pain.
- Akila Dada
- Natalie Wilson
Psychologist - provide detailed psychological/neuropsychological assessment for patients across their cardiac treatment and heart transplant journey. Goals are to support educational integration, treatment planning and the provision of follow up supports. Research role includes evaluating developmental / neuropsychological outcomes in cardiac and heart transplant patients.
- Anna Gold
- Renee Sananes
- Dragana Ostojic-Aitkens
Pharmacist
- Cyntra Mascarenhas