Specialists

Northwestern Memorial's transplant physicians, surgeons, nurses, dietitians and other medical professionals are dedicated to improving the quality of life for their patients. Individually, the team members are among the most experienced and respected medical professionals in the world, having developed and refined many advanced medical and surgical procedures. Together, they provide a unique resource for patients and physicians who require comprehensive, state-of-the-art care to manage complications of kidney, pancreas, liver and intestinal disorders.

Transplant Surgeons
Michael Abecassis MD (Division Chief)
Talia Baker, MD
Juan Carlos Caicedo, MD
Jonathan Fryer, MD
Daniela Ladner, MD, MPH
Joseph Leventhal, MD, PhD
Anton Skaro, MD, PhD
Jason Wertheim, MD

Hepatologists
Steven Flamm, MD
Daniel Ganger, MD
Richard Green, MD
Anne Henkel, MD
Sean Koppe, MD
Laura Kulik, MD
Josh Levitsky, MD
Mary Rinella, MD

Transplant Nephrologists
M. Javeed Ansari, MBBS, MRCP (UK)
John J. Friedewald, MD
Lorenzo Gallon, MD
Bing Ho, MD, MPH
Xunrong Luo, MD, PhD

Gastroenterologists
(supporting the Liver and Intestinal Rehabilitation Program)
Terrence Barrett, MD
John Martin, MD
Chris Steveoff, MD

Transplant Cardiologists
Ata Erdogen, MD
James Flaherty, MD
Mihai Gheorghiade, MD
Sanjiv Shah, MD
Stephen Smith, MD

Transplant Dermatology
Marad Alam, MD
Simon Yoo, MD

Transplant Infectious Disease
Michael Ison, MD, MS
Valentina Stosor, MD

Transplant Psychiatrist
John Franklin, MD

Transplant Pharmacists
Joslyn Emerson, PharmD
Michael Fang, PharmD

Physician Assistants
Tiffany McKirnan, PA-C
Brian Moyer, PA-C
Lynn Nicolaisen, PA-C
Chandra Schmechel, PA-C

Nurse Practitioners
Rebecca Duke, MSN, APN
Donna Kamuda, APN
Gulcin Pusuoglu, APN
Katie Turpin, APN

Transplant Nurse Coordinators and Clinic Support

Pre-Kidney/Pancreas
Nicole Beauvais, PA
Denae DeCrescenzo, RN
Maria Hendricks, RN
Judith Stein, RN
Emily Warren, RN
Keith Wszolek, RN
Juanita Bell
Erin Chastney
Arlett Flores
Minerva Tamayo
Sharon Wallace

Pre-Liver and Small Bowel
Lori Clark, RN
Nina Kay, RN
Sharon Polensky, RN
Raquel Berven
Markesha Mills
Shiriane Tate
Karen Zaremba
Lakeithia Looney

Post-Transplant
Erin Alberico, RN
Connie Aristoza, RN
Caitlin Dierking, RN
Heidi Dybas, RN
Nancy Fletchter, RN
Patricia Gierut, RN
Ann McDermott, RN
Becky Miedema, RN
Lisa Scholz, RN
Jaclyn Semko, RN
Carly Torraco, RN
Maria Torres, RN
Jennifer Wright, RN
Jelitsa Zuluaga, RN
Danielle Cherry
Andre Jones
Vanessa Tooley

Transplant Social Workers
Janet Aminoff, LCSW
Jami Hanneman, LCSW
Martha Escamilla-Arias, LSW
Sara Miller, LCSW

Transplant Dietitian
Judith Fitzhugh, RD, LDN, CNSD

Clinical Research Coordinators

Division of Transplant Surgery
Patrice Al-Saden, RN, CCRC
Jane Charette, RN, CCRC
Candace Staron, RN
Angela Hecyk, BS, CCRC
Farida Siddiqui, CCRC
Amanda Sweeney, BS

Division of Hepatology
Mary Kozlowski, RN
Deb Murray, RN
Katie Wherity, RN
Noreen Khan, RN (Clinical Research Nurse)
Joanne Gartman, PA-C
Jeanne Gottstein, Coordinator
Kim Sipich, Coordinator

Transplant Financial Coordinator
Karla Christensen
Betty Laureano

Transplant Quality
Anton Skaro, MD, PhD
Eileen DeMayo, RN
Stacie Landron, RN

Transplant Administration
Gwen McNatt, MS, RN, CNN, FNP-BC (Director)
Corey King (Manager, Transplant Support Services)
Steve Nelson (Manager, Transplant Business)
Sarah Plaskett, PA-C (Manager, Clinical Care)
Luke Preczewski (Division Administrator)
Robert Cundiff, MBA (Manager, Transplant Finance)

Program Development
Greg Ciaciura (Manager, Transplant Development)
Doug Penrod, RN (Nurse Coordinator - Outreach)