Pediatric Heart Transplant Program
Offering the hope of better health since 1987
Since our first pediatric heart transplant in 1987, Children’s Hospital has offered children with heart problems the hope of better health.
We are one of the highest-volume, most experienced pediatric heart transplant programs in the nation. We also follow about 150 transplant patients with continuing care at any given time. Our survival rates exceed national averages.
We are proud of our numbers, but they don’t tell the whole story. Our transplant team is dedicated to supporting your child and family before, during and after the transplant.
Meet Your Care Team
Your complete Heart Transplant care team includes physicians, a pharmacist, transplant coordinators, a financial counselor, child life specialists, social workers and nutrition experts.
Debra A. DoddMD, BA
- General Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric Heart Transplant
David W. BearlMD, MA
- Cardio-Oncology, Cardiovascular Medicine, General Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric Heart Transplant
David P. BichellMD
- Adult Congenital Heart and Valve Disease, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac/Heart Transplantation, Congenital Heart Diseases, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Pediatric Heart Transplant, Pediatric Surgery
Karla G. ChristianMD
- Cardiac/Heart Transplantation, Congenital Heart Diseases, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Pediatric Heart Transplant, Pediatric Surgery
Nhue L. DoMD
- Cardiac/Heart Transplantation, Congenital Heart Diseases, ECMO and Critical Care, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Pediatric Surgery
Justin A. GodownMD, BS
- Cardiovascular Medicine, General Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric Heart Transplant
Why Choose the Heart Transplant Program at Children’s Hospital
- Experienced care
In 2020, Children's Hospital surgeons performed 23 pediatric heart transplants, making it the fourth largest pediatric heart transplant program in the United States.
- VAD implantation
In 2020 we implanted six ventricular assist devices (VADs), all successfully leading to heart transplants. Five of these procedures were neonatal VADs.
- Better recoveries
We don't use steroids to maintain immune system suppression. Instead, we use newer drugs that cause fewer side effects and are helping children recover faster and stay healthy longer.
- Noninvasive testing
The noninvasive tests we use, such as echocardiograms, are better at pinpointing heart problems. They hurt less and reduce your child's stress.
- Extra support
Our program receives help from many support services at Children’s Hospital. For example, your child receives crucial interventional catheterization and arrhythmia management support before and after receiving a heart transplant.
