Patient and Family Support
The Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Lung Transplant Program includes a dedicated social worker and financial coordinator. In addition to providing valuable assessments during your evaluation for transplant, these team members can provide you with information related to available resources, fundraising opportunities, and other assistance with the psychological and financial demands of transplantation.
Our Lung Transplant Social Workers lead a monthly support group for pre- and post-transplant patients via Zoom. Contact Angela Lombardo, LICSW (617-525-1376), or Samantha Pearlstein, LICSW (857-307-2840), for more information. View the 2023 Lung Transplant Support Group schedule (PDF).
Patient and Family Education
Lung Transplant Overview
A comprehensive overview of lung transplantation at the Brigham is available through our Lung Transplantation: An Introduction patient education video and our BWH Lung Transplant Guide for Patients and Families in English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF).
Patient and Caregiver Experience Video
Our Patient and Caregiver Experience video shares the experiences of several of our post-transplant patients and their families.
Waiting List Guide
Our Lung Transplant Waitlist Handbook in English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF) is designed to help patients fully understand what to expect while waiting for a transplant.
Post-Transplant Education
All new lung transplant recipients are provided with a post transplant diary after surgery. Patients are required to review the diary daily so that they have a good understanding of post-transplant management and expectations. The diary also includes log sheets for documenting vital signs, medications, exercise, blood sugar and drain output. The patient's support team members are also required to review the diary prior to the face to face education session that will be scheduled with the Transplant Nurse, Pharmacists and Nutritionist. You can view or download the diary by selecting the link above.
Post-transplant Video Education Series:
In the following video series, our nurse practitioner, Valerie Durney, provides patients and families with important information about post-transplant care that can help: improve compliance, improve outcomes, and improve patient and family satisfaction.
- ICU Care After Lung Transplant – Meagan Frenette, BSN, RN
- Meeting the Lunda Transplant Social Workers – Samantha Pearlstein, LISW and Angela Lombardo, LISW
- Post-Transplant Lifestyle Changes – Karen Tsveybel, MSN, RN, CCTC
- Nutrition Following Lung Transplantation – Caitlin Blakeley, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC
- Post-Transplant Medications – Keri Townsend, Pharm D, BCPS
- After Lung Transplantation: Diabetes – Keri Townsend, Pharm D, BCPS
- Post Lung Transplant Care – Jessica Mongello, RN BSN, CCRN
