The Staff of the Heart Institute

The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute in Denver, Colorado is internationally recognized for the quality of our care and the caliber of our professionals. A collaboration of the departments of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric Anesthesia, Cardiac Nursing and Cardiac Research, the Heart Institute cares for neonates, infants, children, adolescents and young adults with all forms of congenital and acquired heart disease. Our nationally known cardiac care teams, state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive research make The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute one of the best places in the nation for pediatric cardiac care.

Cardiothoracic Surgeons

The department of Cardiothoracic Surgery provides surgical care to children with congenital and acquired cardiovascular and pulmonary problems. During the last year, members of The Children’s Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery team performed more than 500 procedures with a high level of complexity and mortality rate below the national average. In partnership with the department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery provides complex neonatal repair and supports one of the busiest pediatric heart transplant program in the country.

Pediatric Cardiologists

Pediatric Cardiologists at The Children’s Hospital are recognized nationally for the care and expertise provided to pediatric cardiac patients. Patients are treated for congenital and acquired heart disease and heart arrhythmias by pediatric cardiologists working with a multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists. A comprehensive approach is used to treat patients with the goal of rehabilitation to a high quality lifestyle.

Pediatric Intensivists

A pediatric cardiac intensivist is in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. This physician works closely with other cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons in caring for the patients in this unit after surgery or transplant.

Pediatric Anesthesiologists

A team of pediatric anesthesiologists is on hand to provide pre-operative assessment and intraoperative anesthesia specific to our cardiac patients. A pediatric anesthesiologist is on-call 24-hours-a-day. Understanding how small and growing bodies react to a variety of anesthesia is more complex than just smaller doses of adult treatments.

Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants

The Heart Institute team includes highly trained Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants. These team members work in all inpatient and ambulatory care departments of the Heart Institute and provide the platform for a seamless continuum of care for patients and their families.

We attract and retain experienced pediatric nurses who are trained in the cardiac specialties of cardiothoracic surgery, intensive and progressive care, cardiac diagnostic and interventional studies, electrophysiology, pulmonary hypertension and transplant. As a Magnet Status hospital, The Children’s Hospital is one of the best facilities in the country for nurses to work. Our Magnet designation is a statement about the high-level of commitment to our patients.

Fellows

In affiliation with the University of Colorado, fellows at The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute complete a three year fellowship in the program. They work closely under the pediatric cardiologists and participate in the care of children in the outpatient setting, cardiology ward, cardiac cath laboratory, and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

Multidisciplinary Team

In addition to expert physicians, nurses and the advance practice team, other disciplines participate in the care of our cardiac patients. The Heart Institute has dedicated social workers and nurse liaisons. Pediatric radiologists, perfusionists, psychologists, nutritionist, child life specialists all participate in the multidisciplinary team.