Assistant Professor, Pediatric Critical Care and Cardiology, Children’s Wisconsin

“Breaking Barriers To Bonding”: Implementing Skin-to-Skin Care In the CICU

Infants with congenital heart disease often spend long periods in intensive care, surrounded by medical equipment that can make bonding difficult. Our initiative introduces skin-to-skin care into the cardiac ICU. Skin-to-skin care is more than a comforting measure for babies. It helps stabilize vital signs, reduces stress, supports brain development, and improves feeding outcomes. It also provides parents with emotional reassurance and confidence during challenging hospital stays. By creating safe protocols and educating families and staff, we aim to make this practice a routine part of care. We hope to transform hospital experiences into moments of healing and connection for children with congenital heart disease.

Co-Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children’s Wisconsin
CO INVESTIGATOR: Aaron Kleinertz
Medical Student, Medical College of Wisconsin

Stem Cells in Pediatric Cardiac Biology

Pulmonary vein stenosis is a rare form of congenital heart disease in which the veins returning oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart are narrowed, eventually resulting in cardiopulmonary failure. The biological cause of this process is not well understood, and no medical or surgical therapy reliably prevents the disease from progressing. Based on insights gained from previous work, our team is investigating a rare cell lineage within the affected pulmonary veins that may be responsible. Using advanced RNA sequencing techniques, pathologic tissue will be analyzed to define the genetic and molecular features unique to this cell population with the goal of uncovering novel targets for future medical therapies that offer newfound hope for children and families affected by this devastating disease.

Pediatric Cardiologist, Children's Wisconsin, Program Director, Heart Failure Program

CO-INVESTIGATOR:  Meaghan Boeker, MD
Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, Children's Wisconsin

Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Acute Pancreatitis in Pediatric Patients after Cardiopulmonary Bypass

When pediatric patients undergo surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, we monitor end-organ function including the heart, liver and kidneys. One organ that has not been well studied in the pediatric population after cardiopulmonary bypass is the pancreas. In adults, bypass has been associated with pancreatitis, which is the inflammation and injury to the pancreas. Our project aim is to identify the frequency of pancreatitis after cardiopulmonary bypass and find associated risk factors. We believe that early detection of pancreatic injury will help identify signs of post-op complication, recognize which patients are high risk, and provide insight into ways to reduce complications associated with post-op pancreatitis.  This could change our Institutional approach to management for high-risk individuals in the post-op period and reduce length of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality.