2027 PHTS Symposium
This special gathering will bring together PHTS members to explore insights from the PHTS Registry, discuss future society initiatives, connect with colleagues from across the field, and help shape the future of pediatric heart transplantation.
The symposium will be held in collaboration with the IPTA 2027 Congress, creating even more opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking.
Early Bird Registration Ends February 1, 2027
Register NowOne Day. Big Conversations.
Join colleagues from across the PHTS community for an interactive day of education, discussion, collaboration, and connection. Program details are subject to change.
Program Chair: Anne Dipchand
Program Planning Committee: Kevin P. Daly; Shriprasad Deshpande; Melanie Everitt; Jake Alexander Kleinmahon; Kathleen Simpson
The rapidly changing landscape of pediatric DCD heart transplantation
Professor of Surgery & Pediatrics
Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Duke University Medical Center
Welcome
Interactive Session #1: Anybody Understand Antibodies?
Introduction / Moderator: Marc Richmond
Explore contemporary approaches to HLA typing and alloantibody screening, including risk stratification for donor selection and modern virtual and in vitro crossmatching.
Review available tools for alloantibody desensitization, when desensitization should be considered, how therapy should be timed relative to listing, and the potential impact on post-transplant outcomes.
Examine laboratory, molecular, and pathologic testing used to understand the impact of alloantibody on heart transplant outcomes and identify actionable phenotypes for antibody-directed therapies.
Discuss emerging approaches to treatment of recalcitrant alloantibody and chronic AMR, including the benefits and burdens of therapy and the impact of aggressive treatment on long-term allograft outcomes.
Interactive Session #2: What Matters Most and What Comes Next: Achieving Patient Priorities through Science and Innovation
Introduction / Moderator: Alicia Kamsheh
Explore pressing unanswered questions for pediatric heart transplant recipients living decades beyond transplant, including immunosuppression minimization, retransplantation, PTLD, evolving practices, and opportunities to improve lifelong care.
Discuss invasive and non-invasive coronary artery assessment, including the strengths and limitations of cardiac catheterization, IVUS, OCT, CT angiography, and MRI, as well as current knowledge gaps and opportunities to improve long-term outcomes.
Session #3: Brainstorming Breakout Group Sessions
Choose from interactive breakout discussions designed to encourage collaboration, idea sharing, and practical conversation across the PHTS community.
Breakout Sessions
Select a session below to learn more.
The Vaccine Crossroads: Equity, Hesitancy, and High-Stakes Decisions in Pediatric Heart Transplant Melanie Everitt & Jake Kleinmahon
Join an interactive, case-based breakout session exploring some of the most pressing and controversial issues in pediatric heart transplant immunization. Engage with peers to unpack vaccine hesitancy, advance equitable access to transplant, and critically evaluate the safety and efficacy of live virus vaccines in this unique population. Bring your perspectives and questions for a dynamic discussion designed to challenge assumptions and inform real-world practice.
Stronger Together: Reimagining Mentorship in PHTS Alicia Kamsheh
Let’s reimagine what mentorship can look like in PHTS. The best mentorship relationships enrich both people in the process. Come share ideas on how PHTS can strengthen a culture of mentorship and foster connections that support mentees, inspire mentors, and build a stronger future for PHTS.
PHTS Quality Improvement: Measuring the Change! Diep Nandi & Neha Bansal
Interested in improving center length of stay? Curious about early tacrolimus initiation? Thoughtful about apps to improve education? Come learn more with the PHTS Quality Improvement Committee.
Standardizing Care Committee: Building Measurable Transplant Pathways from Common Clinical Practice Defne Magnetta
Ever wonder how your peers handle pediatric heart transplant management and how we can turn those shared experiences into data-driven success? This interactive session dives into finding common ground among current practices and transforming them into measurable clinical pathways.
Reimagining Valve Replacement: The Era of Partial Heart Transplantation Erin Shea
A living valve that grows with the child, once an idea, is now a reality. From pioneering cases to a rapidly expanding field, partial heart transplantation is reshaping the future of congenital valve replacement and transforming pediatric cardiac care. Join colleagues to share experiences, explore emerging data, and help define where this groundbreaking therapy goes next.
Closing the Gap: Equity in Pediatric Heart Transplantation Shaan Amdani
Every child deserves the same shot at a healthy heart, but does our data show that’s actually true? Join this breakout to explore where race, geography, and socioeconomic status continue to shape outcomes in pediatric heart failure and transplant and help shape what PHTS does next to close those gaps.
Rewriting the Playbook: Novel Endpoints and Real World Data: How Can We Do More With Less? Ashwin Lal
As pediatric heart transplant trials face persistent challenges with small sample sizes and limited funding, this session explores strategies to generate more meaningful evidence with fewer resources, including novel endpoints, creative use of real-world and observational data, adaptive platform designs, and other emerging approaches.
Ready, Set, Transition! Building Successful Pathways to Adult Transplant Care Kristin Anton & Heather Missler
Transition doesn’t happen at a single appointment. It’s a process that starts long before the handoff. Join us to share what your program is doing, learn from others, and leave with practical ideas to strengthen the journey from pediatric to adult transplant care.
Session #4: PHTS Funding Faceoff
- Based on the February 2027 PHTS call for proposals and designed to help determine PHTS analyses for Spring 2027.
- The top six ranked projects will be invited to pitch their project in person at the symposium.
- Each project will receive 7 minutes for presentation followed by 8 minutes for questions.
- Projects will be judged in real time by the PHTS Scientific Committee.
Poster Reception
Symposium Dinner
Sponsorship Opportunities
Select an opportunity below to view the included benefits. Pricing is available upon request.
Platinum Sponsor Claimed by Boston Children’s Hospital
- Exclusive recognition as the Platinum Sponsor
- Premier logo placement on all symposium materials
- Recognition in opening and closing remarks
- Organization logo featured on symposium signage
- Recognition on the PHTS website and in symposium communications
- Complimentary registration for up to 6 attendees
- Opportunity to provide a promotional item for registrants
- Full page advertisement in the symposium program, if applicable
- Recognition during the evening dinner
Gold Sponsor
- Prominent logo placement on symposium materials
- Verbal recognition during the program
- Recognition on the PHTS website
- Recognition in symposium communications
- Complimentary registration for up to 4 attendees
- Opportunity to provide a promotional item for registrants
Silver Sponsor
- Recognition on symposium materials
- Recognition on the PHTS website
- Verbal recognition during the program
- Complimentary registration for up to 2 attendees
Bronze Sponsor
- Recognition in symposium materials
- Recognition on the PHTS website
- Verbal recognition during the program
Welcome Reception Sponsor Tuesday evening
- Exclusive signage throughout the reception
- Recognition during welcome remarks
- Logo displayed at food and beverage stations
- Recognition in symposium materials
Breakfast Sponsor
- Signage throughout breakfast
- Recognition during the opening welcome
- Logo on breakfast buffet signage
Coffee Break Sponsor Two opportunities available
- Signage at refreshment stations
- Recognition before the break
- Logo displayed with the coffee service
Lunch Sponsor
- Signage throughout lunch
- Recognition prior to lunch
- Logo displayed in the dining area
Breakout Session Sponsor
- Logo displayed before breakout sessions
- Recognition in breakout materials
- Signage outside breakout rooms
PHTS Funding Faceoff Sponsor Featured sponsorship
- Exclusive recognition as sponsor of the Funding Faceoff
- Logo displayed throughout the presentations
- Recognition during the award presentation
- Recognition in symposium materials
Poster Reception Sponsor
- Exclusive signage throughout the poster reception
- Logo displayed in the poster area
- Recognition during reception remarks
Symposium Dinner Sponsor
- Tabletop recognition
- Logo displayed during dinner
- Verbal recognition
- Recognition before the patient story or award presentation
Tabletop Exhibit 6 foot exhibit table
- One 6 foot exhibit table in the networking area
- Two exhibitor registrations
- Organization listed as a Tabletop Exhibitor in symposium materials
- Recognition on the PHTS symposium website
- Opportunity to interact with attendees during scheduled breaks, lunch, and the poster reception
Name Badge Sponsor Exclusive opportunity
- Organization logo printed on attendee badges
- Recognition in symposium materials
Lanyard Sponsor Exclusive opportunity
- Sponsor provides branded lanyards for symposium attendees
Interested in sponsoring the symposium?
Contact PHTS to request pricing, confirm availability, and discuss the opportunities that best align with your organization’s goals.
Request Sponsorship InformationJoin Us in Charleston
Register for the 2027 PHTS Symposium on Wednesday, March 17, 2027, at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina.
Register by February 1, 2027 to receive early bird pricing.