Why Choose Us for Lung Transplantation

Surgical and medical expertise

The Lung Transplant Program is led by cardiothoracic transplant surgeons dedicated to lung, and heart-lung transplantation, as well as cardiothoracic surgery. Under the leadership of Katsuhide Maeda, MD, PhD, our surgeons have worked extensively with the most complex pediatric cases.

If your child needs a lung or heart/lung transplant, he or she will also need the expertise of physicians and other healthcare professionals in a variety of specialties. The transplant program has a full-time dedicated pediatric pulmonary transplant medical director, Maureen Josephson, DO, who has extensive experience caring for both transplant and complex pulmonary patients.

The Lung Transplant team is also supported by more than a dozen colleagues trained in general pediatric pulmonology and other specialties, including:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutrition
  • Psychiatry and psychology
  • Intensive care
  • Pain service
  • Pediatric Advanced Care

Our specialists will also regularly consult with your child's pediatrician or family doctor, as well as your local pulmonologist, and supply frequent and important updates on your child's progress.

Family-centered care

Each Lung Transplant Program staff member knows that this is an  extremely difficult time for your family. It is our goal to do all we can to help you cope with the emotional stress of caring for a child who needs a lung transplant.

We know that clear communication about your child's illness and progress is especially important, so we make this a priority. We can also help you address practical matters, such as dealing with the financial issues related to transplant and follow-up care. If you have any concerns about your child's care, please do not hesitate to ask any transplant team member.

Children's Hospital also offers an abundance of support services for children and families, from counseling to Child Life specialists and support groups.

State of-the-art facilities

After your child's transplant, he or she will be cared for in one of the nation's largest and best-equipped Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) or our Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CICU). The unit's highly experienced critical care staff is specifically trained in the care of transplant patients — as well as a variety of other critically ill children — and works closely with the transplant team on its daily rounds.

After your child leaves the PICU/CICU, he or she will be transferred to the pulmonary floor, where the nursing staff have been specially trained to work with post lung transplant patients.

Next-generation technology

CHOP is one of the first pediatric transplant centers to adapt a groundbreaking technology for organ procurement and transplant that allows the donated organ to thrive outside of the body and therefore travel longer distances with greater opportunity for successful transplant.

Follow-up care

After lung transplant, your child will need a lifetime of follow-up care. At our facility, we share a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Hospital Lung Transplant program. We also have a partnership with many other solid organ transplant programs across the country. Lastly, our program has set up connections and works in collaboration with many other subspecialty programs within CHOP and can help with the coordination of complex care necessary pre and post transplantation.


Next Steps