Cardiac Center Innovation Awardees
Programmatic
Amy Shultz, MD
Cardiac Center Feeding Tube Weaning Project
Works to create a multi-disciplinary team and clinic to help tube-wean children with congenital heart disease and improve their quality of life
Colleen Driscoll, PhD
Centered Neurodevelopmental Program for Inpatient Families
Aims to remove silos across departments and divisions to reduce healthcare disparities and provide equitable care to every child and their family
Scientific
Jayant “Nick” Pratap, MB, BChir, MRCPCH, FRCA
CHD Panorama
Aims to provide guidance to families of children with CHD through the development of an application that would offer a holistic view of their hospital journey
Started July 2024
Matthew Jolley, MD
Systemic Semilunar Valve (SSV) Mechanics and Simulated Repair in Congenital Heart Disease
Aims to investigate SSV repair failures and explore ways to improve pre-operative repairs, reducing the risk of complications during surgery and improving success rate
Started July 2024
Ryan Callahan, MD
Calculating Wall Shear Stress (WSS) in Pulmonary Veins of Infants Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI): A Pilot Study
Aims to screen high-risk patients for PVS and surveil known patients for restenosis, potentially guiding therapy
William Gaynor, MD
Fecal Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in the CICU
Analyzes the stool VOC profile from fecal samples collected daily to screen for early signs of NEC in the vulnerable CHD population for earlier diagnosis and treatment
Funding Started March 1, 2024
Stanley Stachelek, MD
Progression of Mitral Valve Regurgitation in the Pediatric Population
Examines the differential gene and protein expression of MVICs and assesses differential fluid flow and its influence on the expression of mechano-sensing and mechano-responsive genes
Funding Started March 1, 2024
Patient/Family Experience
Emily Ruckdeschel, MD
MarlaJan Wexler, BSN, RN, CPN-BC
Lost in Transition
Aims to improve the ability of youth and young adults to manage their own healthcare and effectively use health services as they transition into adult care
Started August 2024
Rachel Keashen, CRNP
Improving Equity for Non-English-Speaking Families
Examines data from focus groups to understand the impact of language barriers on patient experience and improve equity
Started August 2024
2023
Clinical Research
Jennifer Lynch, MD
Development and Use of Novel Neuromonitoring Devices During Neonatal Cardiac Surgery
Works to improve neuromonitoring during pediatric cardiac surgery
Started February 2023 – Received 2nd year funding approval on 2/2/2024
Matt Jolley, MD
Matt Gillespie, MD
Optimization of Patient Candidacy and Device Selection for TPVR into Native Outflow Tracts
Aims to develop and apply an image-derived, mechanics-based workflow for inserting a TCPV to patient-specific pulmonary artery models
Started February 2023 – Received 2nd year funding approval on 2/8/24
Monique Gardner, MD
Advanced Cardiac Therapies (ACT) ICU: Biorepository for Heart
Performs multi-omic molecular phenotyping on pre- and post-operative bio-samples to gain insight into novel, predictive biomarkers that may reveal mechanistic mediators to target in future interventional trials
Started April 2023
Programmatic
Meg Cates, DNP, RN, CCRN
Cardiac Center Acute Renal Replacement Therapy (ARRT) Core Team
Aims to reduce barriers to initiation and maintenance of ARRT, support clinical decision-making and improve operational infrastructure for timely and consistent ARRT delivery
Started February 2023
Laura Mercer-Rosa, MD
Implementation of the Cardiac Center Biorepository: Across the Lifespan of Children with Heart Disease
Aims to advance translational research, foster successful collaborations, facilitate external funding and support research training for fellows and junior faculty
Started April 2023
Emmanuelle Favilla, MD
PAC3 Hearts to Home: Discharge Optimization
Aims to improve efficiency of patient discharge
Started July 2023
2022
Bench Research
David Frank, MD
Jonathan Rome, MD
Katsuhide Maeda, MD, PhD
Leveraging an Omics Approach for Discover of Molecular Mechanisms and Therapies for Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS)
Aims to better understand PVS by identifying molecular mechanisms orchestrating disease mechanisms early on and provide novel therapies for treatment
Started April 2022
Constantine Mavroudis, MD
William Gaynor, MD
Daniel Licht, MD
Todd Kilbaugh, MD
Mitochondrial Targeted Diagnostics and Therapeutics in a Swine Model of Cardiac Surgery and Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest
Works to determine mitochondrial injury impacting neurological harm and assesses the effect of cyclosporin-A on the reversal of symptoms
Started April 2022
Betsy Goldmunts, MD
Mark Fogel, MD
Walter Wichtesey, PhD
Machine Learning of Advanced Imaging-Derived Phenotypes (IDPs) and Genomics for Clinical Outcomes Research in Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
Uses machine learning to develop automated techniques for extraction of imaging-derived phenotypes in CHD patients and identify associations between myocardial disease IDPs, genetic variants and outcomes
Started April 2022
Clinical Research
Matthew Jolley, MD
Lindsay Rogers, MD
Michael Quartermain, MD
David Biko, MD
Kevine Whitehead, MD
Quantitative 3D Analysis to Inform Systemic Semilunar Valve (SSV) Repair in Children
Creates and applies semi-automatic multimodality 3D-image derived modeling tools for the visualization, quantification and planning of surgical repair in pediatric systemic semilunar valves
Just Started
Improving Clinical Care/Outcomes
Lyla Hampton, PhD
Alison Burnham, MD
Amanda Shillingford, MD
Promoting Engagement, Advocacy, and Access to Developmental Care for Families of Children with Congenital Heart Disease
Works to expand the neurodevelopment program, including educational content and family learning programs using technological advances
Started March 2002
Translational Research
Ben Kozyak, MD
Katsuhide Maeda, MD, PhD
Jordan Raney, MD
Development of a Pulsatile Cavopulmonary Conduit Using Architected Materials and Soft Robotics
Aims to improve the Fontan circulation through creation of an electromagnetic robotic system
Just Started
2020-2021
Education
Aaron DeWitt, MD
Meryl Cohen, MD
Jessica Eichner, MSN, CRNP-AC
Melissa Greberman, LSW
Jennifer Hwang, MD
Felina Mille, MD
Jennifer Walter, MD, PhD
Jonathan Edelson, MD
Improving the Delivery of Serious News to Patients & Families
Implements VitalTalk training program for staff
In Process
Stephanie Fuller, MD
Lindsay Rogers, MD
Reena Gosh, MD
CHOP Cardiac Center Comprehensive Image Library
Works to create a web-based platform for sharing images, illustrations and videos
Implemented/ongoing
Kevin Whitehead, MD
Reena Gosh, MD
Matthe Jolley, MD
Elizabeth Silvestro, MSE
Cardiac Center 3D Imaging Collaborative
Aims to support clinical needs through expansion of 3D image modeling
In Process
Wellness
Stacey Drant, MD
Maria Mascarenhas, MD
Jennifer Thorpe, MBA, RD
Michael McBride, PhD
Deborah Lefokowitz, PsyD
Jennifer Sherker, PsyD
Implementation of a Lifestyle Medicine Program into Pediatric Cardiology
Focuses on wellness lifestyle training for Cardiac Center patients
In Process
Maryam Naim, MD
Paul Stephens, MD
Jessica Eichner, MSN, CRNP
Bridget Clawson, RN
Establishment of a Cardiac Center Bereavement Team
Works to establish a program that would provide long-term support for bereaved families and educate providers on how they can help
Implemented
Maully Shah, MD
Karen Smoots, MSN, RN
Michael McBride, PhD
Sharna Basu, CRNP
Daniel Freed
Marva Prince
Janis Hardill, CCT, CRAT
21st Century Technology for 21st Century Care
Works to implement OME monitoring technology for cardiac electronic implantable devices
Implemented
2019-2020
Improving Clinical Care/Outcomes
Sherri Kubis, MSN
Amy Romer, MD
Becky Reid, BSN/CNE
Lisa Mitchell, BSN
Katie Montgomery, BSN/CNE
Stacy Peddy, MD
Amy Jo Lisanti, PhD
Kerri Lombardi, APRN, BC, MJ, MBA
Cardiac Center for Resourced Education and Simulation Training (CREST): Innovation Proposal
Developed a simulation space for clinical training adjacent to the Cardiac Center IP units
Implemented
Patient/ Family Experience
Tamar Preminger, MD
Therese Giglia, MD
Shobha Natarjan, MD
Kate Fuller, Digital Health Advisor
Rachel Shustak, MD
Alyson Stagg, CRNP
Kylie Geddes, Sr. Improvement Advisor
CHOP Telecardiology Program
Provides resources to expand remote home monitoring and telemedicine programs
Implemented
Maryam Naim, MD
David Hehir, MD
Benjamin Kozyak, MD
Emily Schwartz, MSN, CRNP
Amanda Seelhorst, BSN
Virtual iPad Parental Presence in Rounds
Allows family members who cannot be present at the hospital to participate remotely in patient rounds
Implemented
Abby Demianczyk, PhD
Katie Price, CCLS
Melissa Greberman, LSW
Cardiac Connections: Comprehensive Social Support Programming for Cardiac Patients and Families
Created social networking activities for Cardiac Center families
Not implemented. Funds will go to support other programs/events (for example, Fetal Family Reunion at the Zoo).
Patient/Family Experience, Patient Flow/Efficiency/Throughput, Culture Communication
Alex Chappel, CCP, LP
Tami Rosenthal, CCP, MBA, FPP
Christy Bosler, PA-C
Lily Tayor, PA-C
Ellen Cannon, PA-C
Jill Bacher, RN
Stephanie Fuller, MD
Ramesh Kovdavatiganti, MD
ScrubIN
Improved communication within the clinical perioperative team
Utilizing alternative EPIC tools
Patient/ Family Experience; Strategies for Improving Clinical Care/Outcomes
Natalie Bernard, BSN
Lisa Brogan, BSN
Donna Calfin, BSN
Diana Holbein, CRNP
Austin Turnbull, BSN
Cardiac Center Care Management Program: Addressing the Gap for Complex Patient Care Coordination
Created a formal clinical support program for surgical patients transitioning from hospital to home
Implemented
David Hehir, MD
Emannuelle Favilla, MD
Kimberly Lin, MD
Alyson Stagg, CRNP
Therese Giglia, MD
Katie Dodds, CRNP
Amanda Shillingford, MD
Victoria Vetter, MD
Bimal Desai, AVP, CHQA
Daria Ferrro, DBHi
A Universal App for Cardiac Center Care Coordination
Aims to create an app for clinical follow-up, patient education and communication with clinical staff post-hospitlization
In Review Process with IT/EPIC
2018-2019
Bench Research
David Frank, MD
Macromolecular Prodrug Targeting of Pulmonary Vasculopathy in Pulmonary Hypertension
Develops new treatments for pulmonary hypertension
Ongoing
Clinical Research
Matt Jolley, MD
Quantitative 3D Analysis to Inform Tricuspid Valve Repair in HLHS
Works to improve surgical and interventional outcomes for valve repair in single ventricle patients through development of new imaging techniques
Ongoing
Andy Glatz, MD
The von Willebrand Factor-Angiopoietin Axis and Abnormal Angiogenesis in Single Ventricle Disease: Mechanistic Relationships and Potential Target for Novel Therapy
Works to better understand the causes of abnormal blood vessel development in and create novel therapies for congenital heart patients with single ventricle disorders
Ongoing