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The Kidney Transplant Team at UR Medicine

If you ask our doctors what makes UR Medicine’s transplant program special – they will all say the same thing: our amazing team. Our providers are all experts who are passionate about what they do. Each member of the team relies on each other to give our patients the best possible care and outcomes.

Transplantation is multidisciplinary – it takes more than just a surgeon to get patients through this journey. While the surgeon is a vital part of the transplant process, we have an entire team dedicated to caring for patients before, during and after the procedure.

Our kidney transplant team includes:

  • Transplant surgeons who perform your kidney transplant procedure
  • Nephrologists who take care of your kidneys before and after surgery
  • Pharmacists who dispense medication, answer questions you may have about it, and consult with doctors about which medications are best for each patient
  • Psychiatrist who takes care of your mental and emotional health
  • Social worker who helps you and your family understand and process your diagnosis
  • Transplant coordinators who guide you through the entire transplant process, by speaking with you to understand your condition, educating you about our programs, and scheduling your evaluations and appointments
  • Dietitians who help ensure you are getting proper nutrition throughout the transplant journey and educate you on the type of diet you may need to follow before and after your transplant
  • Transplant ID physicians who provide comprehensive care for the evaluation and management of infectious diseases in pre and post-transplant patients. Their goal is to prevent and treat infectious complications
  • Patients are important members of their care team. You will always be up-to-date about your treatment and you will be involved in the decision-making related to your care

Transplant Surgeons

Transplant Nephrology

Pediatric Nephrology

Transplant Psychiatry

Anesthesiology

Infectious Disease

Transplant Pharmacists

  • Jennifer Cooley, Pharm.D.
  • Jennifer Iuppa Melaragno, Pharm.D.

Clinical Manager

  • Erika Venniro, PAC

Transplant Administration

  • Nancy Metzler, Executive Director
  • Brett Carlson, Business & Finance Administrator
  • Carole Dill, Administrator
  • Katie Dokus, Director of Operations
  • Ann Lindsay, Administrative Assistant
  • John Martens, Administrator of Data & Quality
  • Leah Solea, Administrative Assistant

Advance Practice Providers

  • DyYoung Jaworski, N.P.
  • Stacey McGahan, N.P.
  • Charles Schreiber, M.P.A.S., R.P.A.-C.
  • Sara Tennity, N.P.
  • Erika Venniro, P.A.C.
  • Manisha Vij, N.P.

Clinical Transplant Coordinators

  • Tina Blanchard, R.N.
  • Amanda Boyd, R.N.
  • Barbara Mangione R.N.
  • Whitney Serwetnyk, R.N.
  • Shannon Toney, R.N.
  • Debbie VanDeWater, R.N.

Inpatient Advanced Practice Providers

  • Lorene Cassata, F.N.P.
  • Laura Halpa, F.N.P.
  • Valarie Schiano, F.N.P.

Live Donor Advocate

  • Nicole Rossiter, R.N.

Transplant Financial Counselors

  • Jessica McCann
  • Tamatha Kroll
  • Joyce Sauer 

Dietitians

  • Katlyn Castine, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N.
  • Megan Housel, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N.

Social Workers

  • Megan Cason, L.M.S.W.
  • Stephanie Colon, L.M.S.W.
  • Christina Coury, L.M.S.W.

Administrative Support Team

  • Tara McGrain
  • Corey McMahan
  • Eileen Roberts
  • Pam Weis
  • Julie Winch