Our adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) specialists are leaders in their fields with extensive education and experience. We work together as a team to treat the most complex congenital heart conditions. Our goal is for you to live the healthiest life possible.

ACHD Specialists: Why Choose Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute?

Your ACHD Team

At Memorial, you have an army of dedicated professionals working together on your behalf, including:

ACHD doctors

Our physicians treating ACHD patients include:

• Advanced imaging specialists
• Cardiac anesthesiologists
• Cardiac genetics specialists
• Cardiac intensivists
• Congenital cardiologists
• Electrophysiologists
• General surgeons
• Heart failure cardiologists
• Heart surgeons
• Heart transplant surgeons
• High-risk maternal-fetal medicine specialists
• Interventional cardiologists
• Vascular surgeons

ACHD support professionals

Your ACHD team includes dedicated professionals such as:

Advanced Practice Providers

The advanced practice providers in the ACHD program are involved in the inpatient and outpatient setting, are actively involved in providing continuity of care, and are integral to all levels of patient care coordination. Performing and ordering tests and procedures, educating multiple types of medical professionals and participating in community projects, the advanced practice providers are the backbone of the ACHD program and vital components of the multidisciplinary care teams.

Marea Kefalas, APRN

Courtney Laczko, PA

Registered Nurse Coordinators

The nurse coordinators in our ACHD program are registered nurses who enacts treatment plans for our patients and their sometimes complicated care needs because ensuring that patients get the care they require and deserve is their primary concern. To do this, they often help patients understand their treatment options, develop a plan for achieving their health goals and stay on track with taking medications. This improves patient care outcomes, facilitates access to care and promotes continuity of care.

Annel Matus, RN 

Social Worker

The ACHD social worker is responsible for the evaluation and ongoing psychosocial aspects of patient care. The social worker assesses and responds to patient/family needs by coordinating efforts among the ACHD team members as well as by providing support in other realms such as our monthly ACHD support groups online. The social worker helps identify barriers that hinder effective patient care. Our ACHD social worker is integral to the continuity of care from the pediatric care model to that seen in our ACHD clinic.

Nancy Carranza, LCSW

Navigators

Patient navigators help patients "navigate" the maze of clinics, administrative systems and patient support services. Navigators reduce barriers that keep patients from getting timely treatment by identifying patient needs and directing them to sources of emotional, financial, administrative, or cultural support.

Amelia Macho Lee, Navigator

Additional consultants for ACHD

With our team-based approach, we routinely consult with:

• Nephrologists (kidney specialists)
• Hepatologists (liver specialists)
• Pulmonologists (lung specialists)
• Neurologists (brain and spinal cord specialists)

Our adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) specialists include experienced cardiologists who are board-certified in ACHD.