We know you want the best care for your child’s heart. As the largest cardiac program in the Southeast, we bring together an experienced team of cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac nurses, advanced practice providers and other specialists who diagnose, treat and manage all pediatric heart conditions, from before birth to early adulthood.
Our heart specialists understand children—not just their hearts. So, whether you’re looking for care for your newborn or your high school senior, our pediatric heart doctors have expertise in treating all congenital heart defects (CHDs) and acquired heart conditions, from common to complex. Our expertise helps us anticipate the needs of kids and teens with heart conditions so that we can create unique treatment plans and work toward the best outcome. That’s why more parents choose Children’s for their child’s heart care than anyone else in Georgia.
Ranked Among the Best Hospitals for Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center is the only nationally ranked pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program in the state of Georgia*. You can be confident that your child’s heart is being cared for by one of the country’s leading teams who are dedicated to delivering the best cardiac care.
Cardiac Outcomes and Expertise
You can trust in our team’s expertise at the Children’s Heart Center.
- Our Heart Center performs more pediatric heart surgeries and treats more kids with heart conditions than anyone else in the state**.
- We proudly rank in the top five in the nation for Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and Cardiac Acute Care Unit (CACU) volumes***.
- As one of the largest pediatric heart programs in the country, with high patient volumes and excellent outcomes, you can be sure your child is receiving care from a team with extensive experience in treating heart conditions in children from birth to age 21.
A Spotlight on Our Pediatric Heart Specialties
Delivering the Best Family Experience Possible
While our cardiac program is one of the largest, we take pride in offering a family-centered and personalized experience. Our pediatric heart doctors and surgeons will guide you and your child through each step, from diagnosis, to treatment, to aftercare. Whether your child needs outpatient care at one of our pediatric heart clinics or to see a pediatric cardiology specialist for a more complex heart problem, we offer a variety of support services and educational resources to help you during your child’s heart care journey.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s heart doctors and surgeons specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and management of pediatric conditions of the heart, blood vessels and circulatory system including congenital heart defects (CHDs), which are the most common birth defect types that affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works, as well as acquired heart conditions that develop during a child’s life after they are born.
Pediatric heart conditions we treat include:
- Arrhythmia
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Chest pain
- Congestive heart failure
- Complex congenital heart disease
- Heart murmur
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypertension
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)
- Long QT syndrome
- Myocarditis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Tetralogy of fallot (TOF)
- Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
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How Your Child's Heart Works
Watch us explain what a child's heart looks like and how it works.
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Tetrology of Fallot
Watch us explain the heart conditions that make up Tetrology of Fallot and the surgery, also known as Blue Baby Syndrome.
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Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and Surgeries
Watch us explain HLHS and the three surgeries our team performs to reconstruct these hearts: the Norwood, Glenn and Bidirectional Fontan procedures.
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Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) and Surgeries
Watch us explain TGA and the procedures our team performs to help correct these hearts: arterial switch operation and balloon atrial septostomy.
Advancements and Innovation in Pediatric Heart Care
Our pediatric heart doctors and cardiology specialists collaborate with other teams to support your child's specific needs. We deliver coordinated cardiac care and comprehensive resources for heart patients through our specialized programs. We are also actively involved in pediatric cardiology research to find new ways to treat childhood heart disease and help improve patient outcomes.
- Aorta and Vascular Program: Our Aorta and Vascular Program brings together a team of pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons who provide care for conditions of the aorta and blood vessels.
- Arrhythmia Program: Our electrophysiologist provide comprehensive care for infants, children, teens and young adults with heart rhythm disorders and inherited heart disease.
- Cardiomyopathy Program: Our Cardiomyopathy Program provides focused care for conditions that reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Program: Our pediatric cardiothoracic surgery program repairs CHDs and heart conditions in children, infants and teens.
- Fetal Cardiology Program: The Fetal Cardiology program diagnoses fetal heat conditions before a baby is born and consults mothers of children with known or suspected heart conditions.
- Heart Transplant Program: Children’s is home to one of the largest pediatric heart transplant programs in the country for children suffering from end-stage advanced heart failure or severe heart problems.
- Marfan Syndrome Program: Our Marfan Syndrome Program is one of just a few in the Southeast that provides comprehensive cardiovascular care for kids with Marfan syndrome.
- Outpatient Cardiology: Children's Cardiology offers over 20 outpatient cardiology locations across the state to deliver accessible heart care to infants, children and teens.
- Preventive Cardiology Program: The Preventive Cardiology Program at Children’s helps treat conditions that place them at risk for early heart attack or stroke.
- Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Program: One of just a few programs of its kind in the country, the Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction Program at Children’s treats complex congenital and acquired pulmonary artery disease.
- Pulmonary Hypertension Program: Our Pulmonary Hypertension Program treats conditions that cause elevated blood pressure in the lungs.
- Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS) Program: The Pulmonary Vein Stenosis Program delivers focused care for PVS, a rare and serious condition that can cause heart failure.
- Single Ventricle Program: The Single Ventricle Program delivers advanced surgical care for CHDs that affect the heart’s ventricles and the way they work.
- Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in Infants Program: Our PDA Closure Program provides innovative, less-invasive treatment for premature babies affected by a persistent PDA.
At Children’s, your family is at the forefront of care. You are an integral part of the care team, and we will work with you to create plans that are right for your child.
We know that having a child in the hospital can be a stressful and difficult time. We have a team dedicated to helping you navigate the emotional, financial, familial and spiritual challenges, including:
- Chaplains
- Child life specialists
- Family experience liaisons
- Financial services
- Kids at Heart
- Social workers
- Psychologists
Inpatient and Outpatient Support for Kids with Heart Conditions
Children with heart defects and conditions are more likely to have developmental delays and problems with attention and learning. Our team understands the unique needs of cardiac patients and works with you to create plans for their hospitalization and after they return home.
learn moreLed by Paul Chai, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and William Mahle, MD, Chief of Cardiology, our multidisciplinary team includes pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists, advanced practice providers, pediatric cardiac nurses, cardiac researchers and family support professionals.
Leadership
- Paul Chai, MD, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Co-Chief, Children’s Heart Center
- William Mahle, MD, Chief of Cardiology, Co-chief, Children’s Heart Center
Cardiothoracic surgery
Cardiothoracic surgeons
Advanced practice providers
- Madeline Allsopp, CPNP
- Kacy Bagwell, CPNP
- Megan Baker, CPNP
- Abby Bechler-Karsch, PNP-BC
- Emily Becker, CPNP
- Meagan Beech, CPNP
- Katie Berkowitz, CPNP-AC
- Brittany Brennan, CPNP
- Crystal Bryan, CPNP
- Tara Buckhalter, CPNP
- Taylor Bush, PA-C
- Maria Cabrera, CPNP-AC, FNP
- Jennifer Chiles, PA-C
- Nicole Coolidge, CPNP
- Shelby Corder, CPNP
- Caitlyn Coward, CPNP
- Daniel Danilczyk, CPNP
- Madison Demetry, CPNP
- Meghan Engler, CPNP
- Emily Frank, CPNP
- Margrethe Fredericks, CPNP
- Allison Head, PA-C
- Natalie Hicks, PA-C
- Virginia Horan, PA-C
- Kasey Keane-Lerner, PA-C
- Alexandra Kruger, PA-C
- Keyatta Lackey, CPNP
- Patricia Lawrence, CPNP
- Diane Long, CPNP
- Melanie McBrayer, CPNP
- Lauren Meador, PA-C
- Kathleen Murphy, PNP-BC
- Anna Patton, CPNP
- Lindsey Prozzillo, CPNP
- Brittany Scoville, CPNP
- Ashley Smith, CPNP
- Kristin Smith, CPNP
- Amelia St John, CPNP
- Meghan Stowell, CPNP
- Isabel Walker, PA-C
- Kimberly Woodall-Williams, CPNP
Cardiology
Cardiologists
- William Mahle, MD
- Alaa Aljiffry, MD
- Asaad Beshish, MD
- Holly Bauser-Heaton, MD, PhD
- Wesley Blackwood, MD
- William Border, MD
- Arene Butto, MD
- Brian Cardis, MD
- Nikhil Chanani, MD
- Martha Clabby, MD
- Shanelle Clarke, MD
- Andrew Dodgen, MD
- Matthew Ferguson, MD
- Peter Fischbach, MD
- Michael Fundora, MD
- Alice Hales-Kharazmi, MD
- Brandon Harden, MD
- Susan Hupp, MD
- Glen Iannucci, MD
- Simran Jandu, MD
- Shannon Jones, MD
- Usama Kanaan, MD
- Dennis Kim, MD, PhD
- Lazaros Kochilas, MD
- P. Andrea Kropf, MD
- James Kuo, MD
- Brooke Lewis, MD
- Allen Ligon, MD
- Clifford Wesley Lindsey, MD
- Michael Lopez, MD
- Kevin Maher, MD
- Heather Phelps Maloney, DO
- Chad Mao, MD
- William McEachern, MD
- Meghann McKane, MD
- Rachel McKay, MD
- Erik Michelfelder, MD
- Marcos Mills, MD
- Michael Mount, MD
- James Nelson, MD
- Matthew Oster, MD
- Gina Patel, MD
- Andrew Porter, MD
- Sanghee Ro, MD
- Fred Rodriguez, MD
- Saidie Rodriguez, MD
- Ritu Sachdeva, MD
- Denver Sallee, MD
- Cyrus Samai, MD
- Timothy Slesnick, MD
- Richard Urbano Garcia Soriano, MD
- Divya Suthar, MD
- Benjamin Toole, MD
- Dongngan Truong, MD
- Heather Viamonte, MD
- Neill Videlefsky, MD
- Michelle Wallace, MD
- Stephanie Wechsler, MD
- Robert Whitehill, MD
- Emily Williams, MD
- Hunter Wilson, MD
- Michael Wolf, MD
Advanced practice providers
- Haleigh Anderson, CPNP
- Megan Burnworth, CPNP
- Caitlin Calkins, CPNP
- Charissa Deckelmann, CPNP
- Robin Epstein, CPNP
- Heather Jordan, MSN, CPNP-PC
- Jessica Posey, MSN, FNP-C
- Vandana Ramaswamy, CPNP
- Allison Smith, CPNP
- Patricia Simpson, MSN, FNP-C, RN
- Kimberly Straub, PA-C
- Allison Voight, CPNP
Cardiac anesthesiology
Children's Heart Center
Arthur M. Blank Hospital
2220 North Druid Hills Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Children's Cardiology Outpatient Clinics
Center for Advanced Pediatrics
2174 North Druid Hills Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Cumming
1505 Northside Blvd Suite 2600
Cumming, GA 30041
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Albany
2709 Meredyth Drive, Suite 250
Albany, GA 31707
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Alpharetta
3300 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 100
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Athens
1000 Hawthorne Ave., Suite S
Athens, GA 30606
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Canton
134 Riverstone Terrace, Suite 202
Canton, GA 30114
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Columbus
705 17th St., Suite 406
Columbus, GA 31901
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Dalton
1504 N. Thornton Ave., Suite 105
Dalton, GA 30720
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Gainesville
200 S. Enota Dr. NE, Suite 400
Gainesville, GA 30501
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Hamilton Mill
2108 Teron Trace, Suite 200
Dacula, GA 30019
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Johns Creek
3890 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite 240
Suwanee, GA 30024
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Lawrenceville
771 Old Norcross Road, Suite 110
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Macon
1062 Forsyth St., Suite 3A
Macon, GA 31201
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Marietta
355 Tower Road, Suite 204
Marietta, GA 30060
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Newnan
60 Oak Hill Blvd, Suite 102
Newnan, GA 30265-2314
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Oconee
1000 Cowles Clinic Way, CY-300
Greensboro, GA 30642
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Rockdale
2135 Eastview Parkway, Suite 300
Conyers, GA 30013
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Stockbridge
202 Village Center Parkway
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Thomasville
210 West Hansell Street
Thomasville, GA 31792
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Valdosta
2418 N. Oak St.
Valdosta, GA 31602
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology–Villa Rica
705 Dallas Highway, Suite 204
Villa Rica, GA 30180
Medical Office Building at Children's Scottish Rite Hospital
5461 Meridian Mark Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342
*No. 12 on the U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list for 2024-25.
** Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) by hospitals in Georgia, ages 0-18 (2024). Does not include any freestanding ambulatory surgery data.
***Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium (PC4) data registry and Pediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative (PAC3) data registry.
Arthur M. Blank Hospital is Now Open
With the opening of Arthur M. Blank Hospital, clinical services at Egleston Hospital, the Emory Children’s Center and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center moved to the new hospital.
learn moreLearn About Common Heart Conditions in Kids
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