The Duke Lung Transplant Team is made up of a diverse group of health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and physical therapists. Initially, these specialists will help determine if a lung transplant is the right treatment for you. If you are selected as a candidate for transplant surgery, the same group of professionals will take care of you.  

The following is a list of the Lung Transplant Team members and a brief description of their roles.

Transplant Team

Medical Secretary Staff

The medical secretary staff helps facilitate communication between the patient and the rest of the team.

• Tamika Bright
• Jon Evans
• Heather Owens
• Stanza Williams
• Tina Hight
• Sharia Warren

Transplant Coordinators

These nurses teach you and your family about the transplant evaluation, surgery, and recovery. They are the primary contact people on the transplant team and coordinate patient care before and after transplant.

Pre-Transplant Coordinators

• Andrea Copeland, RN, BSN
• Sandra Gerity, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C, CCTC
• Zeliha Kadioglu, RN, BSN
• Wendy Peavy, MSN, CSC, CNS, CCRN

Post-Transplant Coordinators

• Elisa Collins, BSN
• Christine Gilboe-Staller, RN, BSN, MSN
• Tracie Parker Holland, RN, BSN, CCTC
• Kim Holleman, RN, BSN
• Cindy Lawrence, RN, MSN
• Emily Johnson, RN, BSN, CSC
• Erin Stemple, BSN
• Melissa Sullivan, RN, BSN

Transplant Pulmonologists

These medical doctors specialize in lung disease and lung transplantation. Your doctor will conduct a thorough medical exam, review your past medical history, and determine if transplantation is the best treatment option for your lung disease.

• David Zaas, MD, Medical Director
• Scott Palmer, MD
• Laurie Snyder, MD

Transplant Surgeons

Transplant surgeons perform the transplant operation. Your surgeon will explain to you the procedure and risks related to the surgery and also help determine if transplantation is your best treatment option.

• Robert Davis, MD, Surgical Director
• Shu Lin, MD

Transplant Social Worker

This provider will help determine your ability to cope with the impact of lung transplantation on you and your family. She will assess your support network, serve as a resource for information about local social services and counseling, and discuss your family’s plans for relocation and recovery.

• Amy Royals, MSW, LCSW

Medical Psychologist

The medical psychologist specializes in human behavior and will talk with you about your understanding of the transplant and behaviors that may impact your ability to have a successful outcome. She will consider your history of using substances such as nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs, and may also use survey tools to determine how you might adjust to a lung transplant.

• Virginia Fenwick, PhD

Transplant Clinical Pharmacist

This specialized pharmacist will teach you about the medicines you will take after your lung transplant and discuss medication safety and things you should report to your physician.

• Diane Reams, PharmD

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialists

Trained to accurately evaluate your musculoskeletal system and exercise capacity, the pulmonary specialists direct your pulmonary rehabilitation and recovery and also recommend home-exercise programs to increase your strength and endurance.

• Rebecca Crouch, DPT, PT, MS, CCS, FAACVPR
• Sheila Shearer, RRT, AE-C

Transplant Financial Coordinator

This member of the transplant team will review your insurance benefits with you and provide you with information about any potential costs to you that may be related to travel for appointments, medications, and home-care expenses. She works with your insurance company to get prior approval for the transplant surgery before you are listed as a candidate for transplantation.

• Julia Boatwright-Holden                            919-681-4880

Transplant Dietitian

The clinical dietitian is available to advise you about your nutritional needs. A healthy weight at the time of the transplant will help your surgery succeed.

• Wendy Bingham, MS

Transplant Nurse Clinician

• Diane Kirkland, RN

The members of Duke’s Lung Transplant Team want to ensure that you understand all the aspects of your care. Feel free to ask any questions you may have by contacting one of our secretaries or transplant coordinators.