Adult Kidney Transplantation

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The adult kidney transplantation team at Weill Cornell Medicine

Our Care Team

Transplant Surgeons

Transplant surgeons specialize in transplantation and perform your transplant surgery. Our surgeons are trained to manage all stages of transplantation, including your immunosuppressive regimen. Transplant surgeons may also perform dialysis access surgeries and general surgery on dialysis and transplant patients.

Transplant Nephrologists

Transplant nephrologists specialize in disorders of the kidneys. Nephrologists will help manage your condition before and after the surgery.

Other Specialized Physicians may evaluate you before transplantation, help in your management during and after transplant, and make recommendations to the team. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Cardiologist: physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and management of heart conditions. 
  • Endocrinologist: physicians who specialize in diabetes and management of other endocrine problems such as thyroid disorders
  • Hematologist: physicians who specialize in disorders of the blood, such as excessive bleeding or blood clots
  • Hepatologist: physicians who specialize in disorders of the liver and management of infections such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • Infectious disease specialist: physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and management of infections such as HIV
  • Psychiatrist: physicians who specialize in mental health disorders and problems with addiction 

Transplant Coordinators and Clinical Staff

Transplant Coordinators 

Transplant coordinators are healthcare professionals who organize your pre-transplant evaluation. In addition, the transplant coordinator will provide patient education and coordinates the diagnostic testing and maintenance on the waiting list. Each patient waiting for a transplant is assigned to a specific transplant coordinator who will serve as the patient's primary contact with the transplant team. 

  • Judith Hambleton, RN, CCTC, Chief Transplant Coordinator
  • Maria Abreu-Goris, RPA-C, Manager, Clinical Operations
  • Rachel Martin, RN, MSN, CCTC, Senior Transplant Coordinator
  • Dominique Ambrosio, RN, BSN
  • Eliza Bensley, RN, BSN, Transplant Educator
  • Vanessa Forzano, RN, BSN
  • Arielle Nelson, RN, BSN, CCTC
  • Sophie Shachter, RN, BSN, CCTC
  • Jennifer Kirschenbaum, RN, BSN 
  • Tyler Chapman, RN, BSN
  • Kristen Brison, RN, BSN
  • Chanel Acee, R.N., MSN
  • Jemmy Guillermo, RN, BSN, CCTN
  • Jenny Tszeng, RN, BSN
  • Paulina Pelta, RN, BSN 

Transplant Clinical Staff

Physician assistants work with transplant surgeons and nephrologists to manage the care of transplant candidates and recipients in both the pre-transplant, inpatient and post-transplant settings. 

  • Jehona Marku-Podvorica, MS, PA-C, Chief Physician Assistant 
  • Samantha Adelsberg, MS, PA-C
  • Maria del Consuelo Alonso , PA -C 
  • Maureen Beale, MS, PA-C
  • Nishell Jungra,  PA-C
  • Aleksandra Kapuler , PA-C 
  • Natalie Kretzer, MHS, PA-C, RD
  • Catherine Cody, RN, BSN, CCTN
  • Katarzyna Wodyla RN, BSN

Nutritionists help you meet your nutritional needs before and after the transplant. In addition, they work closely with you to develop and reach goals, such as weight loss, when appropriate. 

  • Mike McDonnough, MS, R.D.

Social workers will help you and your family deal with many issues that may arise, including lodging and transportation, finances, insurance, and legal issues.

  • Farrah Desrosiers, LCSW, CCTSW
  • Laura Bell, LMSW 
  • Melissa Siegman, LCSW
  • Melanie Conte, LMSW

Clinical pharmacists assist the transplant team in designing your medication regimen, teach you about your transplant medications and help to manage your medication regimen throughout the transplant process.

  • Jennifer (Hanna) Lee, PharmD, BCPS
  • Esther Liu, PharmD
  • Giovanna Codispodo, PharmD

Financial coordinators work with you and your insurance company to evaluate your ability to undergo a transplant and manage your transplant medications' costs.

  • Kimberly Delgado
  • Jen Fojas
  • Sheena Geran
  • Melissa Lora
  • Natasha Fernandez 

Clinical research and transplant quality personnel educate you about opportunities to participate in research studies available to transplant patients and coordinate your care if you choose to participate in a research study.  They also monitor the transplant program to ensure it is meeting regulatory requirements. 

  • Meredith Aull, PharmD
  • Marion Simonsen 

Transplant Administrative Staff

  • Program Manager: Allison Hoffman
  • Supervisor of Patient Navigators: Julie Krupa