Family resources

Compassionate care for the whole family

By focusing on the "whole child" through programs like Child Life, Back to School, and ParentWISE, along with our "Center for Excellence" status in the insurance industry, our active involvement in pediatric-specific research, and our affiliation with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, we believe we can provide the very best in comprehensive pediatric care for your child.

ParentWISE™ program (formerly known as Family to Family)

When one family member is sick, everyone is affected. That’s why our ParentWISE™ program strives to address the social, emotional and spiritual needs of the entire support system. The ParentWISE™ program coordinator is a member of the Siragusa transplantation team that assists in selecting and training parent volunteers (whose children have been previously transplanted) to listen to the concerns of prospective transplant families and offer practical suggestions and ideas for support services.

Child Life program

Child Life specialists play an integral role throughout the transplant process. With expertise in child development, these specialists are trained to support the emotional, social, educational and developmental needs of transplant patients and their families. Specialists help prepare children for the transplant process and surgery through age-specific special activities that increase understanding and enhance coping skills.

Back to School program

This program – the first of its kind in the United States – was created to help smooth the transition for heart transplant patients to return to school. The Back to School program educates patients, teachers, school staff and peers on heart transplantation, paving the way for a smoother return to the classroom.

Working with a wide range of payers

The center maintains contracts with the majority of transplant insurers and reinsurers, and welcomes the opportunity to interact with new payers. This ensures our ability to work with most U.S. companies. A dedicated financial coordinator helps families understand coverage requirements and benefits. The center has been recognized for its efforts by earning "Center of Excellence" (COE) status – the insurance industry’s hallmark of quality with many payers and national networks.