Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Team

Physicians

Transplant Surgeons  

• Jeffrey Halldorson, MD
• Alan Hemming, MD
• Ajai Khanna, MD
• Kristin Mekeel, MD

Transplant Nephrologists

• Mita Shah, MD
• Robert Steiner, MD
• David Ward, MD

Staff

Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Coordinators Christine Brenner, RN
David Lewino, RN (pre-transplant)
Ilene Gustafson, RN (post-transplant)
Jennifer Joliat, RN (post-transplant)
Sandra Leyden, RN (pre-transplant)
The kidney and pancreas transplant coordinators are deeply involved in the transplant process including your care before, during and after transplantation. They will discuss any questions or concerns with you throughout the process, and will coordinate your pre and post transplant care. Call 619-547-8612.

Live Donor Coordinator

Sandra Heisterkamp, RN
The live donor coordinator supports and manages the care of living kidney donors. Call 619-547-8612.

Transplant Assistants

Laura Barragan
Edna Galvan
Alejandra Munoz (live donor assistant)
Jan Parris
The transplant assistants play a crucial role in orchestrating behind the scenes efforts to schedule appointments, collect and maintain medical records and assist in pre and post transplant care. Call 619-547-8612.

Transplant Financial Coordinator

Joe Berrios
The kidney and pancreas transplant financial coordinator is your primary contact for insurance and financial issues related to transplantation and care. Call 619-547-8612.

Transplant Social Workers

Christine Frederici Hines, LCSW (pre-transplant)
Kelli Swan-Vranish, MSW (post-transplant)
The kidney and pancreas transplant social workers help you handle challenges throughout the transplant process. They are your contacts for issues regarding housing, work, relocating, transportation assistance, state disability, medication assistance, community support and more. Call 619-564-8612.

Transplant Dietician

Linda Raynes, RD
Our dietician has specific training on the nutritional needs of people with kidney diseases and how those nutritional needs change during and after transplantation. Linda will help you create a meal plan and understand food choices that provide the greatest nutritional benefit. Call 619-574-8612.

Transplant Pharmacist

Michael Misel, PharmD
Janice Sudaria-Kerr, PharmD
The pharmacists on the kidney and pancreas transplant team have extensive experience in the medications used to fight rejection, infection and keep you healthy. They will help monitor your medications while you are in the hospital and at clinic visits and will teach you about each of the medications you are taking.  Call 619-471-0575.