Transplant Support Groups

Children who have received a pediatric transplant and their family members should know they are not alone. There are a number of support groups and related services available.

Liver Transplant

Pre- and post liver transplant recipients and their parents are invited to attend. The liver transplant support group meets the first Wednesday of each month prior the the liver transplant clinic. Lunch will be served. 

Mark your calendars for 2013 dates:

  • February 6- Pat Tatro, LCSW Children's Transplant 
  • March 6- Carmen Echols, Pharmacy Resident, Children's Transplant 
  • April 3- Erica Plunkett, Lifelink of Georgia 
  • May 1- Sandy McMath, Georgia Transplant Foundation 
  • June 5- Dr. Laura Mee PhD, Children's Transplant 
  • No meeting in July due to Camp Independence
  • August 7- Valerie Hardy, Chaplain, Children's Transplant 
  • September 4- Jennifer Buechner, Nutritionist, Children's Transplant 
  • October 2- TBD 
  • November 6- TBD 

The liver transplant support groups are held at Children’s at Egleston, 6th Floor Conference Room from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Contact Stephanie Oprea at 404-785-0631 or stephanie.oprea@choa.org for more information.

Heart Transplant: Kids at Heart Family Dinners

Heart transplant recipients and their parents are invited to attend. Offered by the Kids at Heart Program, the heart transplant support group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. 

Mark your calendars for 2012 dates

The Kids at Heart Family Dinners are held at Children’s at Egleston, 1st Floor Conference Center from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Contact Alison Mueller at 404-785-6109 for more information.

Kidney Transplant: Kidney Connection Lunch

Kidney Connection is open to all pre- and post-transplant recipients and their families. We will cover a variety of interesting topics to further educate you and your family. There will also be opportunities to meet and mingle with other transplant families. Children are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided free of charge.

Mark your calendars for 2013 dates:

January 24    Trends in Medications for Transplant Patients
                    Rochelle Schmidt, Transplant Pharmacist

February 28   Healthy Eating and Nutrition
                    Jillian Mingle, Transplant Nutritionist

March 28       Georgia Transplant Foundation
                    Sandy McMath, L.C.S.W., Director of Patient Services

April 25        Writing To Your Donor Family
                    Erika Plunkett, LifeLink of Georgia

May 23         Transitioning to Adulthood
                    Matt Schneider, Kidney Transplant Recipient  

June 27        Caring for the Caregiver
                   Valerie Hardy, Chaplain                

July              No meeting due to Camp Independence

August 22     Dentistry and Transplant
                    Amanda Elzey and Tiffany Yater, Dental Hygienists at Children's

Sept. 26        Accomplishing Your Dreams
                    Edward Drake, YNOTT? Foundation

Oct. 24         TBD

The kidney transplant support groups are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at Children’s at Egleston in the 6th floor conference room from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Megan Barrett at 404-785-6284 or megan.barrett@choa.org for more information or if you would like to request a Spanish interpreter.