Meet Our ACHD Specialists

Marea Kefalas, APRN
The nurse practitioner in the ACHD program is involved in inpatient and outpatient setting, is actively involved in providing continuity of care, and is integral to all levels of patient care coordination. Performing and ordering tests and procedures, educating multiple types of medical professionals and participating in community projects, the nurse practitioners are the backbone of the ACHD program and vital components of the multidisciplinary care teams.

Meisha Tipton, APRN
The nurse practitioner in the ACHD program is involved in inpatient and outpatient setting, is actively involved in providing continuity of care, and is integral to all levels of patient care coordination. Performing and ordering tests and procedures, educating multiple types of medical professionals and participating in community projects, the nurse practitioners are the backbone of the ACHD program and vital components of the multidisciplinary care teams.

Yceli Jorge, RN Coordinator
The nurse coordinator in our ACHD program is a registered nurse who enacts treatment plans for our patients and their sometimes complicated care needs because ensuring that patients get the care they require and deserve is their primary concern. To do this, they often help patients understand their treatment options, develop a plan for achieving their health goals and stay on track with taking medications. This improves patient care outcomes, facilitates access to care and promotes continuity of care.

Kristina Tineo, Navigator
Patient navigators help patients "navigate" the maze of clinics, administrative systems and patient support services. Navigators reduce barriers that keep patients from getting timely treatment by identifying patient needs and directing them to sources of emotional, financial, administrative, or cultural support.

Amelia Macho Lee, PAA
A Patient Access Assistant is the first point of contact of a patient in a hospital facility and often first among our ACHD team members. Duties include the checking-in and checking-out of patients during their visit, gathering a patient's information and obtaining medical records for use by other ACHD team members. Our patient access assistant communicates with the patient, family or caregivers, helping to schedule appointments, verify insurance and obtains referrals/authorizations as needed by insurance companies.

Nancy Carranza, LCSW
The ACHD social worker is responsible for the evaluation and ongoing psychosocial aspects of patient care. The social worker assesses and responds to patient/family needs by coordinating efforts among the ACHD team members as well as by providing support in other realms such as our monthly ACHD support groups online. The social worker helps identify barriers that hinder effective patient care. Our ACHD social worker is integral to the continuity of care from the pediatric care model to that seen in our ACHD clinic.