The Pediatric Liver Transplant Program Team: Who They Are, What They Do

The Pediatric Liver Transplant Program team at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital has more than 25 years of experience with pediatric liver transplantation, performing over 1,200 liver transplant surgeries over the course of their careers. Team members are supported by a vast array of subspecialists on the Packard Children's faculty and staff.

• Transplant Surgeons
• Hepatologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Other Team Members

Transplant Surgeons

The Pediatric Liver Transplant Program’s transplant surgeons specialize in transplantation and actually perform the surgery. They also coordinate all other members of the team. They follow your child before and after surgery as well as after discharge from the hospital.

• Carlos O. Esquivel, MD, PhD
  Chief, Liver Transplant Program 
• C. Andrew Bonham, MD 
• Stephan Busque, MD, FRCSC 
• Waldo Concepcion, MD

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Hepatologists

Hepatologists are physicians who specialize in diseases of the liver. They help manage your child before and after transplantation.

• Kenneth L. Cox, MD
  Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
• William Berquist, MD
  Medical Director, Pediatric Liver Transplant Program 
• Ricardo Castillo, MD
  Medical Director, Intestinal Transplant
• Melissa Hurwitz, MD

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Gastroenterologists

Gastroenterologists specialize in the diseases of the stomach, intestines and associated organs, including the liver.

• Dorsey Bass, MD
• Manuel Garcia-Careaga, MD
• John Kerner, MD
• Eric Sibley, MD 

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Other Team Members

The other professionals on the Pediatric Liver Transplant Team work with the physicians and, most importantly, support families before, during, and after transplantation.

• Michele Ashland
  Parent Mentor
  
  
• Lisa Campbell
  Administrative Assistant
  
  
• Marcia Castillo, RN, BSN
  Pediatric Liver Transplant Coordinator
  
  
• Chris Dong, MSW
  Social Worker
  
  
• Sarah Iversen, PA
  Physician Assistant
  
  
• Carmela Junio, MSN
  Pediatric Liver Transplant Coordinator
  
  
• Melanie Merrill, PA
  Physician Assistant
  
  
• Tito Monge, PAC
  Physician Assistant
  
  
• Debra Strichartz, RN, BA
  Manager, Pediatric Liver and Intestinal Transplant
  
  
• Rebecca Sullivan
  Financial Coordinator
  
  
• Tanya Wapensky, MS, RD
  Nutritionist
  
  
• Karen Wayman, PhD
  Developmental Specialist, Director of Family-Centered Care Program

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