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

Back to top

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

Back to top

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 

Back to top

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
  
  
• Elizabeth Bruno, PhD
  Developmental Specialist
  
  
• Lisa Campbell
  Administrative Assistant
  
  
• Marcia Castillo, RN, BSN, CCTC
  Pediatric Liver Transplant Coordinator
  
  
• Sarah Conlon, PA-C
  Physician Assistant
  
  
• Brittany Hofmeister, RD
  Nutritionist
  
  
• Carmela Junio, RN, BSN, MSN, CCTC
  Pediatric Liver Transplant Coordinator
  
  
• Lynn Kjelson, PA-C
  Physician Assistant
  
  
• Melanie Merrill, PA-C
  Physician Assistant
  
  
• Veronica Reyes
  Financial Coordinator
  
  
• Debra Strichartz, RN, BA, CCTC
  Manager, Pediatric Liver and Intestinal Transplant
  
  
• Rebecca Sullivan
  Financial Coordinator
  
  
• Tanya Wapensky, MS, RD
  Nutritionist
  
  
• Denise Winkowski, MSW
  Social Worker

Back to top