Staff

• Jennifer Bass, MD, Pediatrician, Center Director
• Susan Mikkelsen, MD, Adult Pulmonologist, Adult Center Director
• Eric Walter, MD, Adult Pulmonologist, Associate Adult Center Director
• Shaili Rajput, MD, Pediatrician, Associate Pediatric Center Director
• Megan Danish, FNP, Nurse Practitioner, Clinic Coordinator
• Megan Wackford, Respiratory Therapist
• Kay Pasquesi, Social Worker
• Patty Regan, Registered Dietitian
• TaShell Franklin, Licensed Practical Nurse
• Jennifer Horner, Social Worker, Mental Health Coordinator

Nurse Practitioner

The nurse practitioner (NP) is a pivotal part of the CF team. The nurse practitioner works with all members of the CF team to ensure that the center runs smoothly. The nurse practitioner is your primary contact and addresses your concerns, answers questions, or directs you to the right CF team member. Your nurse practitioner will:

• Will see you for clinic visit or sick visit
• Coordinate and carry out your medical care plans
• Review your treatment plan and any changes with you
• Facilitate communication between you and the other CF team members
• Help you get your medications, equipment, and laboratory tests
• Alert your CF team about psychological, social, and financial concerns you or your family may be experiencing
• Provide you with health information or direct you to resources to help you manage your disease
• Help you educate family members, friends, the public, and other health care professionals like your primary care doctor or other non-CF specialists on ways to support your health

Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse

The licensed practice nurse or registered Nurse (LPN or RN) is another essential member of your care team and can address your concerns, answers questions, and facilitates communication with other CF team members. Your nurse will also:

• Coordinate and carry out your medical care plans, including getting your medications, equipment, and laboratory tests
• Review your treatment plan and any changes with you
• Alert your CF team about psychological, social, and financial concerns you or your family may be experiencing
• Provide you with health information or direct you to resources to help you manage your disease
• Help you educate family members, friends, the public, and other health care professionals like your primary care doctor or other non-CF specialists on ways to support your health

Respiratory Therapist

The respiratory therapist (RT) is a key member of the CF team who provides:

• Direct care and pulmonary function testing
• Instruction and collaboration with you and your family on the use of airway clearance devices and therapy techniques for home use, the proper administration of aerosol therapy, and the cleaning and disinfecting of respiratory equipment
• Guidance and education to you, your family, and your care provider to adapt the best therapy to improve adherence and effectiveness

Our respiratory therapist also provides care by video visit to help educate you on the use of airway clearance devices and other equipment.

Registered Dietitian

The registered dietitian (RD) works with you to achieve optimal body weight and to ensure you are consuming enough calories and nutrients to fight off lung infections and maintain better lung function. The RD will:

• Monitor growth and weight, pancreatic enzyme dosage, and vitamin supplements
• Enhance nutrition individually to ensure your needs are well met
• Help you manage CF-related complications such as CF-related diabetes and bone diseases like osteoporosis
• Assess your food intake, your growth, and your nutritional status

Social Worker

The social worker (MSW) serves as an integral member of the CF team to help you and your family as you strive to live a normal life while balancing all the demands of the disease. Intervention is designed to meet psychological and social needs by providing education, community resources, and emotional support. All patients will have an initial psychosocial assessment. Interventions include:

• Crisis intervention and referrals to resources
• Counseling for you and your family related to depression, anxiety, grief, and loss associated with your illness
• Counseling to promote effective management of your diagnosis and decrease the barriers to compliance with your treatment plan
• Professional interpretation of psychosocial issues for the medical team
• Education for you and your family regarding the expected emotional reactions to and challenges of a CF diagnosis, including Parent Support Group facilitation
• Advocacy on your behalf with the medical team and community resources, including navigating insurance and any challenges with costs
• Help transitioning from pediatrics to adult care for CF management
• Help connecting people living with CF with each other