Heart Failure and Transplant Team

Listed below are the types of team members you will meet on transplant evaluation day:

Transplant Surgeon

The transplant surgeon will perform your heart transplant surgery and will be in charge of your care immediately following your surgery.

Cardiologists

Transplant cardiologists will manage your medical care before and after the transplant

Transplant Coordinators

The transplant coordinator is a registered nurse who will help arrange your evaluation, teach you and your family about transplantation, and follow your progress if you are listed for transplant. They will also be responsible for assisting in all care provided after transplant.

Social Worker

A social worker is available for supportive counseling for you and your family during this challenging and stressful time as well as to inform you about housing, fund-raising and other transplant resources that are available to you.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist will meet with you to obtain a general mental health history and be available for any developing needs.

Mental Health Specialist

The mental health specialist works with you and your family on issues such as stress, anxiety, depression and addiction.

Clinical Nutritionist

Our clinical nutritionist will see you before and after your transplant to evaluate your diet and to help you maintain a healthy weight and a healthy heart.

Pharmacist

The transplant pharmacist will help you to clearly understand your medications and how each affects your body.

Physical Therapist

A physical therapist is specially trained to help you regain your strength after surgery.

Chaplain

A chaplain, who is on call 24 hours a day, will visit with you while you are at Emory Hospital.

Staff Nurses

Staff nurses are responsible for monitoring your day-to-day progress while you are hospitalized as well as maximizing your environment for a smooth recovery.

Financial Coordinator

The financial coordinator will help you understand the cost of transplantation and your insurance benefits and assist you in identifying resources available to you.

Physicians

Andrew Smith, MD, Cardiologist
Medical Director
Secretary: Meisha Hudson
Office (404) 778-5273
Fax (404) 778-5278

J. David Vega, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Surgical Director
Secretary: Martha Bayless
Office (404) 778-5289
Fax (404) 778-4346

Wendy Book, MD, Cardiologist
Co-Director, Adult Congenital Cardiac Program
Secretary: Terry Young
Office (404) 778-5036
Fax (404) 778-5035

Javed Butler, MD, HPH, Cardiologist
Secretary: Shannon Libby
Office: 404-686-7885
Fax: 404-686-4751

Sonjoy “Raja” Laskar, MD, Cardiologist
Secretary: Anya Shepherd
Office (404)778-5268
Fax (404)778-5261

Jerre Lutz, MD, Cardiologist
Secretary: Michelle Brown
Office (404) 778-2165
Fax (404) 778-2195

 

Dan Sorescue, MD, FACC, Cardiologist
Secretary: Shannon Libby
Office: 404-686-7885
Fax: 404-686-4751

Jose Torres, MD, Cardiologist
Secretary: Julie Bluestein
Office: 404-686-8203
Fax: 404-686-5764

Program Coordinator, Heart Transplant

Laura Jacobson, RN, MSN
Office (404) 712-7277
Fax (404) 712-5940

Heart Transplant Coordinators

Neile Chesnut, RN, MSN
Corby D'Amico, RN, MSN
Emily Harrington, BSN, MSN
Sonja Henderson, RN, MSN, ACNP, CCRN
Melissa Kennedy, RN, MSN, CCTC
Lisa Spaulding, RN, FNP
Office (404) 712-5850
Fax (404) 712-0266

Heart Failure Nurses, Emory University Hospital

Andrea Hitchcock, RN, BSN
Glenda West, RN, BSN
Secretary: Rosemary Sterling
Office (404) 778-5544
Fax (404) 778-5650

Heart Failure Nurses, Emory Crawford Long Hospital

Rita Mehlan, RN, NP, Program Coordinator
Varnette Robinson, RN  
Melanie Vinten-Johansen, RN
Kris Wittersheim, RN, NP  
Office  (404) 686-7885 
Fax  (404) 686-4751

Adult Congenital Cardiac Program

Teresa Lyle, RN, MN, CPNP
Office (404) 778-5545
Fax (404) 778-5035

Research

Gillian Cook, RN, MSN
Jessica Corea, BA
Maureen Lobb, RN, PhD
LaRonica McPherson, RN, MSN
Gail Snell, RN, BSN, CCRC
Office (404) 712-0531
Fax (404) 712-0928

Physical Therapist

Amelia Haselden, MMSc, PT
Office (404) 712-7288
Fax (404) 712-7774

Financial Coordinators

Patricia Peacock
Office (404) 712-4601
Fax (404) 712-8513

Jeanne Walzer
Office (404) 778-3533
Fax (404) 712-8513

Transplant Social Workers

Sharon Burford, LCSW
Mental Health Social Worker
Office: 404-712-4806
Fax: 404-712-7311

Janice Doeringer, LCSW, ACSW
Office (404) 712-4357
Fax (404) 712-4059

 

All heart transplant evaluations are performed on the Emory University Hospital campus on Clifton Road. Heart Failure patients are seen in both the Center for Heart Failure Therapy at Emory University Hospital on the main campus, and the Emory Crawford Long Hospital Carlyle Fraser Heart Center on Peachtree Street.