Welcome to the

Pediatric ECMO Program

We provide advanced heart and lung care for children in our pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.

If your child needs help breathing or his or her heart needs extra support due to an illness or medical procedure, your child’s doctor might recommend an advanced technique called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

ECMO is a treatment that uses a machine to take over the work of your child’s heart and lungs, allowing them to heal. Our group of specialized doctors, surgeons, nurses, and ECMO specialists called perfusionists from Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at ºÙºÙÊÓƵ provide around-the-clock care for your child.

ECMO can be recommended for children who have serious respiratory conditions that are not responding to other treatments, including medication, extra oxygen, or a mechanical ventilator. ECMO care is provided at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Tisch Hospital and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Congenital Cardiovascular Care Unit at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital—34th Street.

While your child is receiving ECMO support, we know that this can be a stressful time for your family. Please talk with your child’s medical team about any questions you have. We provide resources to help you during this time, including emotional support and spiritual support. Peer support from parents whose children have received ECMO care is provided during Sala Family to Family Hours, hosted by the Sala Family Advisory Council.

Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at ºÙºÙÊÓƵ

Our pediatric experts provide the best care possible for children with conditions ranging from minor illnesses to complex, more serious conditions.

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Our Leadership

  • Arun Chopra at Pediatric ECMO Program
    Medical Director | Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

    Dr. Chopra has been caring for patients receiving ECMO support for more than 15 years. He is co-founder of the Pediatric ECMO Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. He provides patient care and has published numerous journal articles on ECMO treatment and medication administration for patients on ECMO.

  • Jason C. Fisher at Pediatric ECMO Program
    Surgical Director | Pediatric Surgery

    Dr. Fisher specializes in caring for children and infants who have congenital anomalies and is an expert in the treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. He is a co-founder of the Pediatric ECMO Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and is co-director of ºÙºÙÊÓƵ’s Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Program.

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    Emily Kelley, BSN, RN
    Program Manager, ECMO and Mechanical Circulatory Support

    Ms. Kelley is a registered nurse who manages the Pediatric ECMO Program. She works closely with Dr. Chopra and Dr. Fisher to ensure quality patient care, continuous improvement, and the long-term success of the program. She is an active member of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Coordinator Committee, collaborating with other ECMO centers to ensure the best possible care is delivered to our patients.

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    Frederick Hill, RN, CCP
    Director of Perfusion

    Mr. Hill is a licensed perfusionist and registered nurse who has more than 25 years of clinical ECMO experience. This includes participating in interhospital ECMO transports. He has also provided perfusion services for children in need of cardiac surgery during volunteer missions to foreign countries. He is a fellow of pediatric perfusion through the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology.

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    Thomas Beaulieu, CCP
    Chief Pediatric Perfusionist

    Mr. Beaulieu is a board-certified and licensed perfusionist who has more than 20 years of clinical ECMO experience. He specializes in the field of pediatrics and is recognized as a fellow of pediatric perfusion through the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology.