In this episode of Heart of the Matter, host Meryl Cohen sits down with Jack Rome as he reflects on his path into pediatric interventional cardiology and his front-row seat to the field’s rapid evolution, from early device innovation to today’s advanced catheter-based therapies. He shares how mentorship, curiosity, and a passion for hands-on problem solving shaped his career, while emphasizing the importance of training the next generation and continually pushing the boundaries of care.

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients.

In this episode of Heart of the Matter, host Meryl Cohen chats with Dr. Jack Rychik as he reflects on his long career in pediatric cardiology. They discuss his contributions to staged surgical approaches for single ventricle patients, the development of CHOP’s fetal heart program, and ongoing efforts to improve outcomes for patients with Fontan circulation.

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients.

In this episode of Heart of the Matter, host Jenna Heichel chats with Sherri Kubis about her journey from bedside nurse to Senior Director of Nursing in the Cardiac Center. Sherri reflects on the importance of nursing autonomy, mentorship, and resilient systems that allow nurses to thrive while delivering exceptional patient care.

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients.

In this episode of Heart of the Matter: Cardiology Conversations at CHOP, Meryl Cohen speaks with three Cardiac Center researchers, Amy Jo Lisanti, Laura Mercer‑Rosa, and Michael O’Byrne, about their paths into research and their work driving innovation. They discuss diverse research programs spanning family‑centered and developmental care, multicenter registries addressing complex congenital heart disease, and the importance of mentorship and persistence. The conversation highlights the role of research improving patient and family outcomes and what makes CHOP a uniquely supportive environment for patient‑centered research.

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients.

In this episode of Heart of the Matter, Dr. Felina Mille speaks with Dr. Aaron DeWitt and Jessica Eichner, CPNP-AC about the evolution of the Advanced Cardiac Therapies (ACT) Program and its growing impact within the Cardiac Center. Learn how ACT is transforming care for children with complex heart disease as these leaders share how collaboration, innovation, and continuity have reshaped patient outcomes.

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients.

In this episode, Dr. Meryl Cohen speaks with Dr. Susan Nicholson about her nearly 40-year career as a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist at CHOP and the evolution of the field itself. Dr. Nicholson reflects on her path into pediatric cardiac anesthesia, the mentors who shaped her career, and her role in building CHOP’s integrated Cardiac Center. She also shares what continues to bring her joy—from caring for critically ill patients over time to training the next generation—offering thoughtful insights on leadership, lifelong learning, and professional fulfillment.

This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not to be considered as medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgment in making recommendations to their patients.