Our Staff
The breadth and depth of the efforts to advance the field of transplantation
distinguish the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute from all
other transplant programs in the world. In addition to transplant surgeons,
the Institute's multidisciplinary nucleus of the "best and the
brightest" transplantation experts includes gastroenterologists,
hepatologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists, nephrologists, immunologists,
infectious disease specialists, and critical care physicians.
Outstanding research
faculty come from a variety of scientific disciplines, including immunology,
molecular biology, genetics, cell physiology, and other biological sciences.
An expert staff of nurses, technicians, social workers, and administrative
personnel provide unparalleled patient care.
During evaluation for a transplant and throughout operative and postoperative
transplant care, patients and their families meet with many members
of the transplant team. Among these specialists are:
Transplant Surgeons
Transplant surgeons are doctors who perform transplant operations
involving the kidney, liver, pancreas, small bowel, stomach, heart,
and/or lung. They often perform other procedures, such as resection
and duct reconstruction for malignancies, bypass surgery, and portal
decompression procedures. Transplant surgeons are skilled in the management
of immunosuppressive drugs and drug complications. A transplant surgeon
evaluates each patient. The surgeon discusses the patient’s disease
or condition with the patient and his or her family; addresses questions
and concerns; and talks about appropriate treatment options, including
transplantation.
| Adult Program (UPMC Presbyterian) |
| Liver |
- Michael
DeVera, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Paulo
Fontes, MD
Co-Director, Liver Transplantation
Watch a video: Dr. Fontes discusses his role at STI
(4 MB, 320 x 240, :46 seconds)
- David
A. Geller, MD
Co-Director, Liver Cancer Center
Watch a video: Dr. Geller discusses treatment options for those
with liver cancer
(30 MB, 320 x 240, 5:38 minutes)
- Henkie
Tan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Watch
a video: Dr. Tan discusses his training and his role at STI
(320 x 240, :52 seconds)
- Wallis
Marsh, MD
Professor of Surgery
- Kusum Tom, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Kyle Soltys, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
|
| Kidney |
- Ron
Shapiro, MD
Professor of Surgery
Director, Kidney, Pancreas, and Islet Transplantation
Read
a biography on Dr. Shapiro
Watch
a video: Dr. Shapiro discusses his education, training, and
work at STI
(7.4 MB, 320 x 240, 1:23 minutes)
- Amit Basu, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Cynthia Smetanka, MD
Clinical Instructor of Surgery
- Henkie
Tan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, Living Donor Renal Transplantation
Watch
a video: Dr. Tan discusses his training and his role at STI
(320 x 240, :52 seconds)
|
| Pancreas |
- Ron
Shapiro, MD
Professor of Surgery
Director, Kidney, Pancreas, and Islet Transplantation
Read
a biography on Dr. Shapiro
Watch
a video: Dr. Shapiro discusses his education, training, and
work at STI
(7.4 MB, 320 x 240, 1:23 minutes)
- Amit Basu, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Henkie
Tan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, Living Donor Renal Transplantation
Watch
a video: Dr. Tan discusses his training and his role at STI
(320 x 240, :52 seconds)
|
| Small bowel/Multivisceral |
|
|
| Pediatric Program (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh) |
| Liver |
- George
Mazariegos, MD
Director, Pediatric Transplantation
Watch a video: Dr. Mazariegos discusses his work at STI
(5.2 MB, 320 x 240, :58 seconds)
- Geoffrey Bond, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Rakesh
Sindhi, MD
Co-Director, Pediatric Transplantation
Watch
a video: Dr. Sindhi discusses his education, training, and work
at STI
(5.3 MB, 320 x 240, 1 minute)
- Kyle Soltys, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
|
| Kidney |
- Ron
Shapiro, MD
Professor of Surgery
Director, Kidney, Pancreas, and Islet Transplantation
Read
a biography on Dr. Shapiro
Watch
a video: Dr. Shapiro discusses his education, training, and
work at STI
(7.4 MB, 320 x 240, 1:23 minutes)
- Amit Basu, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Henkie
Tan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, Living Donor Renal Transplantation
Watch
a video: Dr. Tan discusses his training and his role at STI
(320 x 240, :52 seconds)
|
| Pancreas |
- Ron
Shapiro, MD
Professor of Surgery
Director, Kidney, Pancreas, and Islet Transplantation
Read
a biography on Dr. Shapiro
Watch
a video: Dr. Shapiro discusses his education, training, and
work at STI
(7.4 MB, 320 x 240, 1:23 minutes)
- Henkie
Tan, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, Living Donor Renal Transplantation
Watch
a video: Dr. Tan discusses his training and his role at STI
(320 x 240, :52 seconds)
|
Transplant Physicians
Transplant physicians are specialists who care for a transplant
patient before and after transplantation surgery. Transplant physicians,
who may also be transplant surgeons, are responsible for nonsurgical
(medical) care, which may include nonsurgical procedures, such as endoscopy.
They include endocrinologist, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, hepatologists,
neurologist, oncologist, nephrologist and physician from other non-surgical
specialties.
At the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, patients may be
referred to a transplantation physician at any appropriate time from
evaluation through completion of treatment through the institute.
| Adult Program (UPMC Presbyterian) |
| Anesthesiology/CCM |
|
|
Infectious Diseases |
- Shahid Husain, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Eun Kwak, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- David
Paterson, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
|
Kidney (Nephrologist) |
|
|
Liver (Hepatologists) |
- Jawad Ahmad, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
|
Oncology |
|
|
Small Bowel/Multivisceral |
|
|
| Pediatric Program (Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh) |
Infectious Diseases |
|
|
Liver and Kidney Oncology |
|
|
Liver/Small Bowel/Multivisceral |
- George
Mazariegos, MD
Director, Pediatric Transplantation
Watch
a video: Dr. Mazariegos discusses his work at STI
(5.2 MB, 320 x 240, :58 seconds)
- Geoffrey Bond, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
- Rakesh
Sindhi, MD
Co-Director, Pediatric Transplantation
Watch
a video: Dr. Sindhi discusses his education, training, and work
at STI
(5.3 MB, 320 x 240, 1 minute)
- Robert Squires, MD
- Kyle Soltys, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
|
Transplant Psychiatrists
The transplant psychiatric team assists transplant patients
and their families in coping with the stresses associated with chronic
disease and the transplant process. Services, provided by psychiatric
nurses and physicians, include individual and family supportive therapy,
relaxation and stress management training, and addiction counseling.
A psychiatrist can provide medication, if needed.
The team provides individual treatment programs that are tailored to
each patient’s needs. Programs range from short-term consultation
to ongoing support and outpatient follow-up.
- Maher O. Ayyash, MD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
- Andrea P. DiMartini, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Surgery
|
Transplant Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologists are doctors who administer medications that
keep people asleep during surgery or other procedures. Anesthesiologists
are responsible for monitoring vital signs (heartbeat, blood pressure,
and breathing) during transplant and other operations. They also deal
with pain management.
Transplant Pathologists
Transplant pathologists are doctors who are involved in processing
and evaluating tissue biopsies,
as well as in the accurate histological diagnosis of the disease process.
| Liver |
- A. Jake Demetris, MD
Director
Watch
a video: Dr. Demetris discusses his training and the role of
a transplant pathologist at STI
(11MB, 320 x 240, 2:14 minutes)
- Erin
Rubin Ochoa, MD, FCAP
Assistant Professor of Pathology
Watch
a video: Dr. Ochoa discusses her education, training, and work
at STI
(29,780 KB, 320 x 240, 4:19 minutes)
Learn
more about Dr. Ochoa's research interests
|
| Kidney/Pancreas |
|
|
Small Bowel/Multivisceral |
|
|
Posttransplant Lymphomas |
|
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Basic Immunopathobiology |
| |
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Transplant Administrator
Transplant Coordinators
Transplant coordinators are registered nurses who have training
and experience in caring for transplant patients. Transplant coordinators
assist and guide patients and their families through the transplant
process, from evaluation through postoperative outpatient care.
The transplant coordinator provides instruction and education about
transplantation to patients and their families. They monitor patients'
conditions and provide other members of the transplant team with appropriate
patient information and test results. The coordinator also communicates
valuable information to each patient’s local physician and serves
as a link that connects all health care professionals involved in a
patient’s care.
At the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, transplant coordinators
are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions patients may have
about their medical care before and after surgery.
- Carolyn Hartner, RN, BSN, CCTC
Unit Director
|
| Liver Transplant Service (Adult): |
| Liver Candidate (Pre-op) |
- Karen DeBartolo, RN, BSN
- Beth Kallenborn, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Marsha Zak, RN, CCTC
|
| Liver (Post-op) |
- Stephanie Durant, RN, BSN
- Diane Fink, RN, BSN
- Bridget Flynn, RN, BSN, CCTC, CCTN
- Mimi Funovits, RN, BS, CCTC
- Mary Gadomski, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Leah Kingery, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Gloria Lardieri, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Mary Beth Lewis, RN, CCTC
- Lynn Nichter, RN
- Barbara Yelochan, RN, BSN, CCTC
|
| Liver Living Donor |
| |
| Liver Transplant Service (Pediatric): |
| |
| Renal/Pancreas Transplant Service: |
| Renal Candidate (Pre-Op): |
- Angela S. Barber, RN, BS, CCTC
- Jareen Flohr, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Amy Singh, RN, BSN
- Maureen Vekasy, RN, BS, CCTC
|
| Renal (Post-Op): |
- Stacy Acevedo, RN, AD
- Mitzi A. Barker, RN, CCTC
- Nancy L. Eger, RN, BSN
- Cordie McFeaters, RN, BSN, CPN , CCTC
- Kim Meyer, RN
- Annie M. Smith, RN. CCTC
|
| Renal Living Donor |
- Cindy Anderson, RN, CCTC, CCRN
- Gerri James, RN, CCTC
|
| Pancreas Candidate (Pre-Op): |
- Jareen Flohr, RN, BSN, CCTC
|
| Pancreas (Post-Op): |
- Cheryl Buzzard, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Janice Glidewell, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Deborah S. Good, RN, BSN, CCTC
|
| Small Bowel/Multivisceral Transplant Service
(Adult) |
| Small Bowel/Multivisceral Candidate (Pre-Op): |
- June Stamos, RN, BSN, CCTC
|
| Small Bowel/Multivisceral (Post-Op): |
- Mary L. Roberts, RN
- Georgetta Walsh, RN, BSN
|
| Small Bowel/Multivisceral Transplant Service
(Pediatric) |
|
| Hepatic Resection/Oncology |
- Jackie Barnes, RN, MSN
- Fred Maradei, RN, MSEd
- Ann Pitcairn, RN, BSN, CCTC
|
Transplant Office Assistants and Medical Assistants
Transplant office assistants and medical assistants are responsible
for scheduling clinic appointments and all testing procedures, including
x-rays. Transplant clerks arrange for patients on donor-organ waiting
lists to receive pagers. When necessary, medical assistants check a
patient’s blood pressure, temperature, and pulse and obtain blood
specimens.
|
Outpatient Administrative Aides |
- Yvonne Campbell
- Juanita Godfrey
- Jason Holder
- Desiree Jackson
|
| Transplant Office Assistants |
- Katie Baumgart
- Mary Jo Conner
- Karen Dadey
- Cynthia Eubanks
- Ellen Fail
- Donna Gardone
- Valerie Grimsley
- Nanci McCombs
- Sara Muner
- Brana Smailagic
|
| Hepatic Resection/Oncology |
- Latisha McDonald, MA
Medical Assistant
|
Transplant Pharmacists
Transplant pharmacists are registered pharmacists who specialize
in medical therapy for transplant recipients. Transplant pharmacists
are involved in caring for patients while they are in the hospital and
after they are discharged. As members of the transplant team, they work
to ensure that each patient’s drug therapy is the most appropriate
for his or her individual needs.
At the Starzl Transplantation Institute, appointments with a transplant
pharmacist are arranged as part of routine postoperative visits. Transplant
pharmacists are available to answer questions concerning medications
given in the hospital or at home. Visits with a pharmacist can be scheduled
through a transplant coordinator.
| Renal |
| |
| Small Bowel/Multiviserel |
|
Transplant Social Workers
Transplant social workers are social workers who are specially
trained in transplant issues. They assist patients and their families
with financial information and emotional support. They provide help
and information about housing, finances, community and support services,
and vocational rehabilitation. Social workers assist patients and their
families with discharge planning by referring them to needed services
and resources.
Transplant social workers at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation
Institute provide educational information and individual, family, or
group counseling before, during, and after a patient’s hospital
stay. The same social worker works with a patient before and after transplant.
| Liver Services |
- Cecile Levenson, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, BCD
Clinical Social Worker
- Dolores DiTullio
Clinical Social Worker
- Karen Porterfield
Clinical Social Worker
|
| Hepatic Resection/Oncology |
- Jennifer Steele, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
|
| Intestine Services |
- Maureen Emerling, MS, MSW, LCSW
Transplant Social Worker
|
| Renal/Pancreas Services |
- Greta Coleman
Clinical Social Worker (Outpatient)
- Shirley Grube
Clinical Social Worker II
|
Transplant Dietitians
Transplant dietitians are registered dietitians who have education
and experience in managing nutrition for pre- and posttransplant patients.
A transplant dietitian can assess a patient’s nutrition status
and make recommendations about therapeutic diets and nutritional supplementation.
Transplant dietitians teach patients and their families about special
diets and can provide help regarding decreased appetite, weight loss,
nausea, and vomiting. They also provide information about supplements
and safe food handling and cooking.
- Laura E. Matarese, MS, RD, LDN, FADA, CNSD
Director of Nutrition
- Michelle Curll, RD, CNSD, LDN
Dietitian Specialist
- Susan Stark, MS RD, LDN, CSR
Dietitian Specialist
- Lorraine Franzi, MS, RD, LDN, CNSD
Dietitian Specialist
- Dana Steck, RD, LDN
Dietitian Generalist
- Jackie Trzcinski, RD, LDN
Dietitian Generalist
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