The treatment team at The Ohio State University Medical Center Comprehensive Transplant Center (CTC) is a unique group of professionals leading their fields, all specialized in transplant medicine. Our team surrounds the patient to create a unique, patient-centered model of care available at few other centers around the world.
We will help manage your care before, during and after your transplant. Your transplant care team includes:
Transplant cardiologist: This heart doctor who specializes in heart transplants will follow you before, during and after your transplant. He or she will complete a physical exam and discuss with you testing that is needed in order to prepare you for your heart transplant. He or she will also be performing heart biopsies after your transplant.
Garrie Haas, MD
Carl Leier, MD
Ayesha Hasan, MD
Veronica Franco, MD, MPh
Transplant surgeon: This doctor will perform your heart transplant surgery. He will discuss the risks and benefits related to the surgery and assist you in understanding what to expect after receiving your transplant.
Benjamin Sun, MD
C. B. Sai-Sudhakar, MD
Juan Crestanello, MD
Michael Firstenberg, MD
Louis Louis, IV, MD
Infectious Disease physician: This doctor who specializes in infectious diseases will follow you before, during and after your transplant to reduce risk of infection.
John Davis, MD, PhD
Stanley Martin, MD
Heart transplant coordinators: The nurses who will be your primary contact from the time you are referred for a transplant evaluation throughout your care at OSU Medical Center. They will help answer any questions you may have and assist you throughout your transplant experience.
Emily Burke, RN, BSN, CCTC
Erin Bumgardner, RN, BSN, CCTC
Ventricular Assist Device coordinators:
Sherri Wissman, RN, BSN, CCTC
Tammy Yanssens, RN, BSN
Social workers/psychologists: These professionals meet with you to evaluate your psychological readiness for transplantation.
Laura Von Hoene
Kristin Kuntz, PhD, Transplant Psychologist
Transplant pharmacist: A transplant pharmacist is a pharmacist who specifically works with patients who have received a transplanted organ. This pharmacist has been trained to understand details about anti-rejection medications, works closely with your transplant physician to help manage your medications and helps answer medication questions you may have.
Danielle Blais
Pharmacy patient assistance coordinator: The Medication Patient Assistance Program offers assessment, linkage and referrals for assistance to patients who need certain medications and have high co-pays or no prescription drug coverage. Types of assistance include Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, Co-pay Assistance Foundations and charitable organizations. It is very important for you to contact the Heart Transplant offices as soon as you or your caregivers are aware that there will be medication coverage issues.
Stacy Morton (800) 626-2538
Heart Transplant Office
Long distance (800) 538-1886
Local line: (614) 293-3787
Fax: (614) 293-7937
After hours/weekends: (614) 293-8000, ask for the
Heart transplant coordinator "on-call" to be paged.