Why Choose Us?
Building on extensive experience and a long history of nationally-recognized care in hepatology, nephrology, cardiology, oncology and surgery, the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital pediatric transplant team promotes a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to the care of our young patients. Ranked each year as a Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report, you can trust that you're in good hands when you come to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital for care. Our team of physicians, nurses, social workers, dieticians, child life specialists and teachers strives to provide personalized and comprehensive life-saving care and is committed to supporting your family every step of the way. To that end, our program offers:
- Coordinated visits with healthcare team minimizes patient trips to the hospital
- A designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for transplant surgical management
- Hospital’s size and configuration offer easy access to transplant team
- Assistance with housing and transportation for out-of-town patients and families
Program Leadership
Our leadership is committed to the best possible outcomes for every child who walks through our doors. As a result, the physicians who lead our programs are at the forefront of innovation in pediatric transplantation.
Heart Transplant
Medical Director
Vernat Exil, MD
Surgical Director
Charles Huddleston, MD
Kidney Transplant
Medical Director
Dr. Craig Belsha, MD
Surgical Director
Dr. Chintalapati Varma, MD
Liver Transplant
Medical Director
Dr. Ajay Jain, MD
Surgical Director
Dr. Chintalapati Varma, MD
Blood & Bone Marrow Transplant
Medical Director
Dr. William Ferguson, MD
Transplant Coordinators
We understand that facing a transplant is frightening, especially when the patient is your child. Our transplant coordinators are here for you and your family every step of the way. From helping to coordinate your pre-transplant evaluation to answering your questions about post-surgical care, our team is always available to answer your calls.
Solid Organ Transplant
- Erin Foristal, RN, BSN, CCTC
- Amanda Manley, RN, BSN
You can contact our solid organ transplant coordinators at 314-577-5351.
Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant
- Laurin Cummins, RN, BSN
You can contact our blood and bone marrow transplant coordinator at 314-268-4000.
Exceptional Outcomes
Since the start of our program in 1983, we have performed more than 141 kidney transplants (cadaveric and living), 99 liver transplants, 73 heart transplants and 350 blood or marrow hematopoietic stem cell transplants for children in the St. Louis area and across the country.
Please contact us for more detailed outcomes data.
We belong to the following organizations:
- Pediatric Heart Transplant Study
- SPLIT: Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation
- North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Case Study
- Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative