Who We Are

Meet the Dedicated Team Behind EmpowerMyCH

Patients, Clinicians, and Researchers working together to improve CHD care through co-designed research and patient-centered innovation.

Alison Gill

Alison Gill

EmpowerMyCH Advisory Board Member
Tetralogy of Fallot Patient • Michigan

As a woman of color, I wanted my demographics to be heard and accounted for. Since being involved with this wonderful group of trailblazers, I have learned a lot more about my condition that I wish I had known back in the day. I am here to help others learn now, what I wish I had the opportunity of knowing.

Study Team

Dr. Anushree Agarwal

Anushree (Anu) Agarwal, MD, MAS


Principal Investigator
UCSF

Dr. Gregory Marcus

Gregory Marcus, MD, MAS


Co-Investigator
UCSF

Dr. Michelle Gurvitz

Michelle Gurvitz, MD


Co-Investigator
Boston Children's Hospital
Harvard Medical School

Dr. Megumi Okumura

Megumi Okumura, MD, MAS


Co-Investigator
UCSF

Karina Manayan

Karina Manayan, NP


Co-Investigator
UCSF

Keerthana Reddy Banala

Keerthana Reddy Banala, MD


Co-Investigator
University of Miami

Aleah Sparks

Aleah Sparks, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC


Patient Co-Investigator

Joe Valente

Joe Valente, BCPA, BS


Patient-Centered Research Specialist
UCSF

Sedona Koenders

Sedona Koenders, MS


Project Director
UCSF

Rong Duan

Rong Duan, MS


Statistical Analyst
UCSF

Parang Kim

Parang Kim, MA


Protocol Project Manager
UCSF

Lindsay Alano

Lindsay Alano, MA


Patient Engagement Specialist
Team Uncle Joe

Student Researchers

Katelyn Macholl

Katelyn Macholl, BS


Student Researcher

Juhi Meta

Juhi Meta, BS


Student Researcher

Kevin Sun

Kevin Sun, BS


Student Researcher

Pranav Ahuja

Pranav Ahuja, BS


Student Researcher

Alice Qian

Alice Qian, BS


Student Researcher

Heart Research Alliance

Madelaine Faulkner Modrow

Madelaine Faulkner Modrow, MPH


Director of Heart Research Alliance

Consultant

Professor Philip Moons

Professor Philip Moons


Consultant
University of Leuven, Belgium

Advisors

Jennifer Gilmartin

Jennifer Gilmartin, NP


ACHD Nurse Practitioner

Alison Gill

Alison Gill


Patient

Carissa Ostrom

Carissa Ostrom


Family Member
Conquering CHD

Mandy Sandkuhler

Mandy Sandkuhler


The Mended Hearts, Inc.

Kimberly Payton

Kimberly Payton, PhD


Family Member

Savannah Regan-Hendrix

Savannah Regan-Hendrix, MSCP


Patient

Karla Deal

Karla Deal


Patient
Adult Congenital Heart Association

Drezden Plotkin

Drezden Plotkin


Patient
Adult Congenital Heart Association

Dorothy Li

Dorothy Li


Patient

Jodi Smith

Jodi Smith


Family Member
Patient & Family Advocacy Leader

Leigh Reardon

Leigh Reardon, MD


Pediatric and ACHD Cardiologist
University of California Los Angeles

Katia Bravo-Jaimes

Katia Bravo-Jaimes, MD


ACHD Cardiologist
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

Mark D Norris

Mark D Norris, MD, MS


Pediatric and ACHD Cardiologist
University of Michigan

Benjamin H Meisel

Benjamin H Meisel, MD


Medical Director
California Children's Services San Francisco

Participating Organizations

Adult Congenital Heart Association Logo

Adult Congenital Heart Association


Conquering CHD Logo

Conquering CHD


Mended Little Hearts Logo

Mended Little Hearts


Team Uncle Joe Logo

Team Uncle Joe


Acknowledgments

Special thanks to these individuals for their valuable contributions to the EmpowerMyCH project.

Samantha Tolosa

ACHD Patient


For providing valuable patient perspective and insights that helped shape our approach.

Margaret (Peggy) Powers

ACHD Program Coordinator
UCSF


For her dedication to improving care coordination and patient experience.

In Memoriam

Carol Maguire

Carol Maguire, RN


A Founder of Eureka

We remember Carol, who was a selfless and passionate champion for engaging patients and the community in congenital heart research.

Website Built By: Team Uncle Joe - Navigating CHD