M. Grace Rochman

Manages care of ~ 200 patients post heart transplant. Develops and implements individualized care plans for pediatric heart transplant recipients. Manages immunosuppression and graft surveillance. Advocates for the unique needs of our transplant population within the healthcare system. Participates in multiple quality improvement initiatives and research to enhance transplant care outcomes. Works closely with our NICU-Cardiac NeuroDevelopmental team to advocate for transplant patients to receive appropriate developmental support and therapies.

Provided medical management for complex pediatric patients in acute and chronic heart failure. Inpatient experience preparing ~150 families for transplant listing process and coordinating heart transplant evaluation, optimizing patients’ health and candidacy prior to undergoing heart transplant. Experience and knowledge in management of various ventricular assist devices: Tandem heart, Berlin, HeartMate, Impella, and Total artificial heart. Provided post-operative management of anti-rejection and anti-infective medications. Provided discharge education and coordinated follow up care following organ transplantation.

Cared for patients in heart failure; received critical cardiac patients from the operating room and provided immediate post-operative care; performed detailed patient assessments and utilized critical thinking to make necessary interventions to optimize patient care. Charge qualified nurse who acted as a liaison for health care providers, applied skills of delegation, communication, conflict resolution and resourcefulness in order to provide staff an environment to perform safe bedside care. Acted as our Developmental Care Committee leader for four years; attended multiple Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes (CNOC) conferences and implemented developmental strategies on our unit.

Worked in various Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Units including Colorado Children's Hospital.