Heart Transplant

Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Service is the only center in the region providing a full range of services in the management of heart failure. Heart failure is a major public health problem and is the most common reason for hospitalization for people over the age of 65 years. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has a staff that is dedicated to the management of heart failure. Additionally, we are pioneers in heart failure research, including work in heart transplantation, artificial hearts and blood pumps, and pacing treatments for heart failure.

The heart transplant program is certified by the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) and has been an active program since 1984. A team of physicians, nurses and other specialists participate in the care of these patients including dedicated heart failure/heart transplant cardiologists, heart transplant surgeons, and transplant coordinators.

In addition to heart transplantation, the Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Service is involved in several lines of research for the treatment of heart failure. These include medical therapies, pacing therapies for heart failure, the use of new cardiac constraint devices, left ventricular assist devices and the total artificial heart.

Consultation is available through the PSHVI Silver Clinic located in the University Physician Center, Suite 600, of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center or at the PSHVI Nyes Road Clinic in Harrisburg.

To make an appointment, please call 877-467-7484 (877 GO PSHVI) or 717-531-4554 or 717-531-8407.

Heart Failure Coordinators

Suzanne E. Frazier, RN, MS, CRNP, NP-C

  • Heart Failure Management Coordinator
  • Office Phone:  717-531-8407
  • Toll Free:  888-478-8971
  • Fax:  717-531-3741

Mary Louise Osevala, RN, MSN, CCNS, CRNP

  • Heart Failure Management Coordinator
  • Office Phone:  717-531-4068
  • Toll Free:  888-478-8971
  • Fax:  717-531-4258


Social Work Staff

Veronica Umbrell, MSW, LCSW

  • Office Phone:  717-531-7396
  • Fax:  717-531-4258

Karen Ostrander, MSW, LSW

  • Office Phone:  717-531-7396
  • Fax:  717-531-4258

Support Staff

Paulette Fortna

  • Office Phone:  717-531-7396
  • Fax:  717-531-4258

Heart Transplant Coordinators

Joanne Burg, PA-C, CCTC

  • Heart & Vascular Institute, Clinical Cardiac Transplant Coordinator
  • Office Phone: 717-531-7396
  • Toll Free: 888-478-8971
  • Fax: 717-531-4258

Patricia Frazier, BSN, RN, CCTC

  • Heart & Vascular Institute, Cardiac Transplant Coordinator
  • Office Phone: 717-531-7396
  • Toll Free: 888-478-8971
  • Fax: 717-531-4258

Frances Hrenko, RN, CCTC

  • Heart & Vascular Institute Clinical Cardiac Transplant Coordinator
  • Office Phone: 717-531-7396
  • Toll Free: 888-478-8971
  • Fax: 717-531-4258

 

 

Hershey Hearts is a peer support group for heart transplant recipients and patients waiting for a heart transplant. Family and other close support individuals are welcome. This group will be facilitated by Patty Frazier, transplant coordinator and Paulette Fortna, secretary. The format of the group will be flexible to meet your expressed needs. We intend to have a topic and speaker for each gathering followed by time for group members to share experiences, questions and offer support.

Hershey Hearts meetings will be Announced at a later date.