Heart Transplant Team

Our dedicated and experienced multidisciplinary team is instrumental to our mission of providing the best and most appropriate care to our patients with advanced heart disease. From patient screening, preoperative monitoring, and donor procurement to surgery and post-operative care, our diverse team – including cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, clinical nurse specialists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, and dietitians – works together to do everything possible for our patients. The following are some of the key members of our team.

Mandeep R. Mehra, MD

Mandeep R. Mehra, MD

Executive Director, Center for Advanced Heart Disease

Medical Director, Heart & Vascular Center

See Entire Profile Mandeep R. Mehra, MD, Profile
Michael M. Givertz, MD

Michael M. Givertz, MD

Medical Director, Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program

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Akshay S. Desai, MD, MPH

Akshay S. Desai, MD, MPH

Attending Physician

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Neal K. Lakdawala, MD

Neal K. Lakdawala, MD

Attending Physician

See Entire Profile Neal K. Lakdawala, MD, Profile
Anju Nohria, MD

Anju Nohria, MD

Attending Physician

See Entire Profile Anju Nohria, MD, Profile
Garrick C. Stewart, MD, MPH

Garrick C. Stewart, MD, MPH

Attending Physician

See Entire Profile Garrick C. Stewart, MD, MPH, Profile

Deborah Page, APRN, has worked in cardiac care for more than 25 years. Her current role encompasses the patient and family, educating them on transplant care, primary and secondary preventive measures, follow-up transplant care, and immunosuppressive therapy.

Colleen Smith, APRN, is a nurse practitioner responsible for providing inpatient and outpatient care for patients on mechanical circulatory support who are waiting for a heart transplant or living with permanent devices. Colleen was instrumental in starting a support group for VAD patients and family members, one of the first of its kind in the U.S.

Leslie Griffin, APRN, a nurse practitioner in the Program since 2006, cares for and teaches patients/families receiving ventricular assist devices. Her role includes disease management, health maintenance, and education for this complex group of patients.

Joanne Weintraub, APRN, Heart Failure NP, has worked as a nurse at BWH since 1984 and as a heart failure nurse practitioner since 2001.

Michelle Young, APRN, Heart Failure NP, has been a nurse at BWH for 22 years. She has been a cardiac nurse for 20 years, with 12 of those as a nurse practitioner.

Maryclare Hickey, RN, has worked as a nurse at BWH for almost 27 years, and has been a cardiac nurse for eight years.

Cynthia Weiffenbach, RN, has been a nurse at BWH since 1981 and has been a cardiac nurse since 1992.

Erica Woodcome, APRN, has worked as a nurse at BWH since 2007. Before joining the Center for Advanced Heart Disease in 2013, Erica worked as a staff RN in the BWH Cardiology Step-Down Unit.

Kristina Navarro-Velez, RN

Ann Marie Uvanovic, RN

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