Emory Hand Transplantation Team
Listed below are the types of team members you may meet on team evaluation day:
Hand Transplant Surgeon — The hand transplant surgeon will perform your hand transplant surgery and will follow your care immediately after surgery and your progress after your discharge from the hospital.
Physician Assistant — A physician assistant (PA) is a member of the transplant team who practices medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. The physician assistant may obtain your medical history, perform your physical exam and supervise your transplant evaluation. After transplant, the physician assistant continues to serve as an important member of the health care team. He or she will follow your progress in the hospital as well as in the transplant clinic.
Nurse Practitioner — A nurse practitioner is a member of the transplant team who practices medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. The nurse practitioner may obtain your medical history, perform your physical exam and supervise your transplant evaluation. After transplant, the physician assistant continues to serve as an important member of the health care team. He or she will follow your progress in the hospital as well as in the transplant clinic.
Transplant Coordinator — A transplant coordinator is a registered nurse who is specially trained to care for patients before and after hand transplantation and to provide support to you and your family. Transplant coordinators work in different stages of the transplant process. One coordinator will be responsible for obtaining the results of your evaluation. Transplant coordinators will follow your progress in the hospital and provide follow-up care at each clinic visit after you are discharged.
Mental Health Professional — A psychiatrist and or psychologist will meet with you during the evaluation to obtain a general mental health history. He or she can identify personal or social situations that may affect the likelihood of a successful outcome after transplant. Mental Health Professional help is available for any developing needs or concerns 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Rehabilitation/Hand Therapist - Therapists will provide intense rehabilitation following your hand transplant surgery. The therapists will perform an evaluation before your surgery. After hand transplant, the therapists continue to serve as an important member of the healthcare team and will work with you during the rehabilitation process.
Social Workers —Social workers are available for evaluation and supportive counseling for you and your family throughout the phases of transplant. If you need information about local housing, fund-raising, and other transplant resources, the transplant social worker can assist you.
Pharmacist — A pharmacist will begin working with you after your transplant. It is important for you to clearly understand your medications and how each affects your body. The transplant pharmacist, along with your hand transplant team, will explain the actions, dosages and side effects of your medications. The hand transplant team will be available to answer questions during your hospitalization and after transplant.
Chaplain — A chaplain is available to visit with you while you are at Emory University Hospital , remaining on call 24 hours a day. The chaplain can help you and your family deal with the emotional and spiritual issues that can be associated with transplantation.
Staff Nurses — Staff nurses are registered nurses responsible for monitoring your daily care in the hospital. They will teach you how to check your vital signs and identify any signs and symptoms of infection. They will help you learn how and when to take your new transplant medications. Staff nurses play an important role in alerting the entire team to any potential problems you or your family may have.
Call Center Team - The Emory Transplant Call Center team is specially trained to review offers for all organs that match with potential recipients at Emory University Hospital. This nursing team is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to review donor offers with the transplant surgeon on call. Together with numerous organ procurement organizations, this team of specially trained nurses is responsible for coordinating the transplant process from the time the initial offer is received through calling a patient in for their transplant. If and when a patient is offered a possible transplant, one of these coordinators will be in contact.
Hand Transplant Surgery
Main Number: 404-727-1731
Fax: 404-727-8205
| Surgeon Profile | |
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Linda Cendales, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery Director, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation and the Laboratory of Microsurgery Emory Transplant Center Residency: in General Surgery, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez," Mexico City, Mexico Fellowships: Research Fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery, Christine M. Kleinert Institute, Louisville, KY Clinical Fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery, Christine M. Kleinert Institute Fellowship in Transplantation Surgery, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD Clinical Interests: Hand and microsurgery, Transplant surgery, Vascularized Composite Transplantation |
