Solid organ transplantation is a chronic illness requiring complex medical management that impacts the family system. However, the experiences of siblings are not well described. We will explore the experiences of siblings of pediatric kidney and liver transplant recipients and how the transplant experience impacted their family, Social-Emotional Development and Family meanings. We will explore opportunities to raise the awareness of healthcare providers to provide care through a family lens that can positively impact the patient and the family.
Learning Objectives
Verbalize the importance of recognizing the well sibling perspective for families of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients
Understand the well sibling perspective of having a sibling undergo a pediatric solid organ transplant and living with a chronic illness
Provide strategies for the transplant team to provide care through a family lens that can positively impact the well sibling, transplant patient and the entire family
Megan Faseler, BSN, RN, CPN, CCTC, is the Transplant Program Nurse Manager, overseeing the Liver, Kidney and Heart Transplant coordinators at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas in 2004, she started her nursing career as a staff nurse on the Liver Transplant floor, where she found her passion for transplantation. She went on to spend 13 years as a Liver Transplant Coordinator prior to her current role working with all solid organ transplant programs at her center. Megan joined the SPLIT community in 2011 as a member and is now active with the SPLIT education committee as well as the Multi- D committee.
Advanced Practice Nurse,
Nemours Children’s Hospital Delaware
Wilmington, DE, USA
Dana Mannino, MSN, NP-C is an Advanced Practice Nurse within the Division of Solid Organ Transplantation at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. Dana is the Chair of the SPLIT Multi-Disciplinary Committee. She is also a member of the SPLIT Education Committee.
Professor of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin Hepatology Liver Transplant Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Children’s Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI, USA
Stacee Lerret is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and has worked at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee as the pediatric nurse practitioner for the liver transplant program for the last 22 years.
She completed her baccalaureate degree in Biology from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Knowing that pediatric medicine was her passion, she completed her Masters in Nursing from Marquette University. Her interest in scientific discovery to support patients and families following liver transplant led her to pursue a doctoral degree. Stacee received a PhD in nursing from Marquette University in 2010. Her NIH funded program of research focuses on the transition from hospital to home and chronic illness for parents of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients.
She has over 50 publications and has spoken locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally on topics related to pediatric solid organ transplantation. She received one of the highest professional honors when she was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2017. She is past president of NATCO The Organization for Transplant Professionals and served as a member of the UNOS Board and UNOS Executive Board.
Finally, she is most importantly a proud member of SPLIT since 2003.
Medical Student at Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI, USA
Rachel Knoebl is a third-year medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
She completed her baccalaureate degree in Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota. She worked as a research assistant in a functional neuroscience lab for 3 years. Now as a medical student, she participates in a variety of research, specifically pediatric quality improvement and OBGYN retrospective studies. She also has an independent study at a Milwaukee homeless and domestic violence shelter focusing on health literacy and education for women. She has been leading this program for almost 2 years now and serves as a mentor for younger students interested in community health and research.