What kind of specialists are on the transplant team and what they do?

Transplant Team Specialists

The professional members of the team have been specially trained to meet the unique needs of pediatric transplant patients and their families. The transplant team includes:

Pediatric Gastroenterologist

The pediatric gastroenterologist is a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease who will be the primary physician during the pre-transplant period from evaluation to surgery.  After transplant, the pediatric gastroenterologist collaborates with the pediatric transplant surgeon to provide care in the hospital and after discharge.

Transplant Surgeon

The transplant surgeon is a physician skilled in pediatric surgery and procedures of the liver, gallbladder and blood vessels who will transplant the new liver. After transplant, will make the surgeon will make daily rounds to review lab test results and other procedures. After discharged, the surgeon will continue to monitor and adjust medications.

Nurse Practitioner

The Nurse Practitioner will help prepare your child for liver transplantation, answer questions and discuss problems concerning the transplant surgery and your child’s health before and after transplantation and coordinate care and immunosuppressant management with your local physician and the transplant surgeons.

Social Worker

The social worker provides counseling to help you cope with the many stresses that accompany transplantation and a long hospitalization of your child and help find the resources needed for additional expenses associated with transplantation, such as transportation and lodging.

Nutritionists

A registered clinical dietician will evaluate your child’s nutritional status before and after the transplant, keep detailed records of your child’s linear growth and muscle development and work closely with you to develop the best diet for your child.

Child Life Specialist

The child life specialist will direct supervised play in the hospital’s playrooms, coordinate special activities for the children at the hospital and work with your child to help him cope with the hospital experience.

Other Specialists

Pharmacists, radiologists, pathologists, renal doctors (nephrologists), respiratory therapists.