Innovation Awardees

Jennifer M. Lynch, MD, PhD

Direct assessment of cerebral health after delayed umbilical cord clamping in newborns with critical congenital heart disease: An ancillary study of the CORD-CHD trial

This study leverages cutting-edge optical monitoring technologies and neonatal brain imaging to provide real-time, quantitative insights into cerebral health during the immediate and preoperative periods.

Brian R. White, MD, PhD, &
Tiffany Ko, PhD

Resting-state Optical Neuroimaging During a Piglet Model of Pediatric Cardiac Arrest

We will develop a first-in-large-animal diffuse optical tomography (DOT) neuroimaging system to characterize longitudinal changes in resting-state brain function during and following cardiac arrest within a validated pediatric large animal model.

Laura M. Mercer-Rosa, MD, MSCE,
Jonathan J. Edwards, MD &
Rebecca Josowitz, MD

Tetralogy of Fallot: Towards Precision Medicine to Explain Phenotypic Variability and Outcome

Focusing on the first conudrum with the broad hypothesis that the severity of the neonatal TOF phenotype and explained through translational omics research, as well as the differences in right ventricular remodeling in the initial 5 years post TOF repair

Felina K. Mille, MD

Individualized Cardiac Diagram Development via a Novel Application

*Funding agreement based on agreements from CHOP

Amy Shultz, MD

Cardiac Center Feeding Tube Weaning Project

Works to create a multi-disciplinary team and clinic to help tube-wean children with congenital heart disease and improve their quality of life

Colleen Driscoll, PhD

Centered Neurodevelopmental Program for Inpatient Families

Aims to remove silos across departments and divisions to reduce healthcare disparities and provide equitable care to every child and their family

Rachel Keashen CRED

Equity for Non-English-Speaking Patients

Research study to obtain feedback from non-English speaking patients to better their patient experience

MJ Wexler CRED

Lost in Transition

RN Support to run the Transition program in the Cardiac Center

Jayant “Nick” Pratap, MB, BChir, MRCPCH, FRCA

CHD Panorama

Aims to provide guidance to families of children with CHD through the development of an application that would offer a holistic view of their hospital journey

Started July 2024

Matthew Jolley, MD

Systemic Semilunar Valve (SSV) Mechanics and Simulated Repair in Congenital Heart Disease

Aims to investigate SSV repair failures and explore ways to improve pre-operative repairs, reducing the risk of complications during surgery and improving success rate

Started July 2024

Ryan Callahan, MD

Calculating Wall Shear Stress (WSS) in Pulmonary Veins of Infants Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMRI): A Pilot Study

Aims to screen high-risk patients for PVS and surveil known patients for restenosis, potentially guiding therapy

William Gaynor, MD

Fecal Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in the CICU

Analyzes the stool VOC profile from fecal samples collected daily to screen for early signs of NEC in the vulnerable CHD population for earlier diagnosis and treatment

Funding Started March 2024

Stanley Stachelek, MD

Progression of Mitral Valve Regurgitation in the Pediatric Population

Examines the differential gene and protein expression of MVICs and assesses differential fluid flow and its influence on the expression of mechano-sensing and mechano-responsive genes

Funding Started March 2024

Emily Ruckdeschel, MD &
MarlaJan Wexler, BSN, RN, CPN-BC

Lost in Transition

Aims to improve the ability of youth and young adults to manage their own healthcare and effectively use health services as they transition into adult care

Started August 2024

Rachel Keashen, CRNP

Improving Equity for Non-English-Speaking Families

Examines data from focus groups to understand the impact of language barriers on patient experience and improve equity

Started August 2024

Jennifer Lynch, MD

Development and Use of Novel Neuromonitoring Devices During Neonatal Cardiac Surgery

Works to improve neuromonitoring during pediatric cardiac surgery

Started February 2023

Matthew Jolley, MD &
Matthew Gillespie, MD

Optimization of Patient Candidacy and Device Selection for TPVR into Native Outflow Tracts

Aims to develop and apply an image-derived, mechanics-based workflow for inserting a TCPV to patient-specific pulmonary artery models

Started February 2023

Monique Gardner, MD

Advanced Cardiac Therapies (ACT) ICU: Biorepository for Heart

Performs multi-omic molecular phenotyping on pre- and post-operative bio-samples to gain insight into novel, predictive biomarkers that may reveal mechanistic mediators to target in future interventional trials

Started April 2023

Meg Cates, DNP, RN, CCRN

Cardiac Center Acute Renal Replacement Therapy (ARRT) Core Team

Aims to reduce barriers to initiation and maintenance of ARRT, support clinical decision-making and improve operational infrastructure for timely and consistent ARRT delivery

Started February 2023

Laura Mercer-Rosa, MD

Implementation of the Cardiac Center Biorepository: Across the Lifespan of Children with Heart Disease

Aims to advance translational research, foster successful collaborations, facilitate external funding and support research training for fellows and junior faculty

Started April 2023

Emmanuelle Favilla, MD

PAC3 Hearts to Home: Discharge Optimization

Aims to improve efficiency of patient discharge

Started July 2023

David Frank, MD,
Jonathan Rome, MD, &
Katsuhide Maeda, MD, PhD

Leveraging an Omics Approach for Discover of Molecular Mechanisms and Therapies for Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS)

Aims to better understand PVS by identifying molecular mechanisms orchestrating disease mechanisms early on and provide novel therapies for treatment

Started April 2022

Constantine Mavroudis, MD,
William Gaynor, MD,
Daniel Licht, MD, &
Todd Kilbaugh, MD

Mitochondrial Targeted Diagnostics and Therapeutics in a Swine Model of Cardiac Surgery and Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest

Works to determine mitochondrial injury impacting neurological harm and assesses the effect of cyclosporin-A on the reversal of symptoms

Started April 2022

Betsy Goldmunts, MD,
Mark Fogel, MD, &
Walter Wichtesey, PhD

Machine Learning of Advanced Imaging-Derived Phenotypes (IDPs) and Genomics for Clinical Outcomes Research in Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
Uses machine learning to develop automated techniques for extraction of imaging-derived phenotypes in CHD patients and identify associations between myocardial disease IDPs, genetic variants and outcomes

Started April 2022

Matthew Jolley, MD,
Lindsay Rogers, MD,
Michael Quartermain, MD,
David Biko, MD, &
Kevine Whitehead, MD

Quantitative 3D Analysis to Inform Systemic Semilunar Valve (SSV) Repair in Children

Creates and applies semi-automatic multimodality 3D-image derived modeling tools for the visualization, quantification and planning of surgical repair in pediatric systemic semilunar valves

Just Started

Lyla Hampton, PhD,
Alison Burnham, MD, &
Amanda Shillingford, MD

Promoting Engagement, Advocacy, and Access to Developmental Care for Families of Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Works to expand the neurodevelopment program, including educational content and family learning programs using technological advances

Started March 2022

Ben Kozyak, MD,
Katsuhide Maeda, MD, PhD, &
Jordan Raney, MD

Development of a Pulsatile Cavopulmonary Conduit Using Architected Materials and Soft Robotics

Aims to improve the Fontan circulation through creation of an electromagnetic robotic system

In progress

Aaron DeWitt, MD,
Meryl Cohen, MD,
Jessica Eichner, MSN, CRNP-AC,
Melissa Greberman, LSW,
Jennifer Hwang, MD,
Felina Mille, MD,
Jennifer Walter, MD, PhD, &
Jonathan Edelson, MD

Improving the Delivery of Serious News to Patients & Families

Implements VitalTalk training program for staff

In progress

Stephanie Fuller, MD,
Lindsay Rogers, MD, &
Reena Gosh, MD

CHOP Cardiac Center Comprehensive Image Library

Works to create a web-based platform for sharing images, illustrations and videos

Implemented/ongoing

Kevin Whitehead, MD,
Reena Gosh, MD,
Matthew Jolley, MD, &
Elizabeth Silvestro, MSE

Cardiac Center 3D Imaging Collaborative

Aims to support clinical needs through expansion of 3D image modeling

In progress

Stacey Drant, MD,
Maria Mascarenhas, MD,
Jennifer Thorpe, MBA, RD,
Michael McBride, PhD,
Deborah Lefokowitz, PsyD, &
Jennifer Sherker, PsyD

Implementation of a Lifestyle Medicine Program into Pediatric Cardiology

Focuses on wellness lifestyle training for Cardiac Center patients

In progress

Maryam Naim, MD,
Paul Stephens, MD,
Jessica Eichner, MSN, CRNP, &
Bridget Clawson, RN

Establishment of a Cardiac Center Bereavement Team

Works to establish a program that would provide long-term support for bereaved families and educate providers on how they can help

Implemented

Maully Shah, MD,
Karen Smoots, MSN, RN,
Michael McBride, PhD,
Sharna Basu, CRNP,
Daniel Freed,
Marva Prince, &
Janis Hardill, CCT, CRAT

21st Century Technology for 21st Century Care

Works to implement OME monitoring technology for cardiac electronic implantable devices

Implemented

Sherri Kubis, MSN,
Amy Romer, MD,
Becky Reid, BSN/CNE,
Lisa Mitchell, BSN,
Katie Montgomery, BSN/CNE,
Stacy Peddy, MD,
Amy Jo Lisanti, PhD, &
Kerri Lombardi, APRN, BC, MJ, MBA

Cardiac Center for Resourced Education and Simulation Training (CREST): Innovation Proposal

Developed a simulation space for clinical training adjacent to the Cardiac Center IP units

Implemented

Tamar Preminger, MD,
Therese Giglia, MD,
Shobha Natarjan, MD,
Kate Fuller, Digital Health Advisor,
Rachel Shustak, MD,
Alyson Stagg, CRNP, &
Kylie Geddes, Sr. Improvement Advisor

CHOP Telecardiology Program

Provides resources to expand remote home monitoring and telemedicine programs

Implemented

Maryam Naim, MD,
David Hehir, MD,
Benjamin Kozyak, MD,
Emily Schwartz, MSN, CRNP, &
Amanda Seelhorst, BSN

Virtual iPad Parental Presence in Rounds

Allows family members who cannot be present at the hospital to participate remotely in patient rounds

Implemented

Abby Demianczyk, PhD,
Katie Price, CCLS, &
Melissa Greberman, LSW

Cardiac Connections: Comprehensive Social Support Programming for Cardiac Patients and Families

Created social networking activities for Cardiac Center families

Not implemented. Funds will go to support other programs/events (for example, Fetal Family Reunion at the Zoo).

Alex Chappel, CCP, LP,
Tami Rosenthal, CCP, MBA, FPP,
Christy Bosler, PA-C,
Lily Tayor, PA-C,
Ellen Cannon, PA-C,
Jill Bacher, RN,
Stephanie Fuller, MD, &
Ramesh Kovdavatiganti, MD

ScrubIN

Improved communication within the clinical perioperative team

Utilizing alternative EPIC tools

Natalie Bernard, BSN,
Lisa Brogan, BSN,
Donna Calfin, BSN,
Diana Holbein, CRNP, &
Austin Turnbull, BSN

Cardiac Center Care Management Program: Addressing the Gap for Complex Patient Care Coordination

Created a formal clinical support program for surgical patients transitioning from hospital to home

Implemented

David Hehir, MD,
Emanuelle Favilla, MD,
Kimberly Lin, MD,
Alyson Stagg, CRNP,
Therese Giglia, MD,
Katie Dodds, CRNP,
Amanda Shillingford, MD,
Victoria Vetter, MD,
Bimal Desai, AVP, CHQA, &
Daria Ferro, DBHi

A Universal App for Cardiac Center Care Coordination

Aims to create an app for clinical follow-up, patient education and communication with clinical staff post-hospitlization

In Review Process with IT/EPIC

David Frank, MD

Macromolecular Prodrug Targeting of Pulmonary Vasculopathy in Pulmonary Hypertension

Develops new treatments for pulmonary hypertension

Ongoing

Matthew Jolley, MD

Quantitative 3D Analysis to Inform Tricuspid Valve Repair in HLHS

Works to improve surgical and interventional outcomes for valve repair in single ventricle patients through development of new imaging techniques

Ongoing

Andy Glatz, MD

The von Willebrand Factor-Angiopoietin Axis and Abnormal Angiogenesis in Single Ventricle Disease: Mechanistic Relationships and Potential Target for Novel Therapy

Works to better understand the causes of abnormal blood vessel development in and create novel therapies for congenital heart patients with single ventricle disorders

Ongoing