Rady Children’s Heart Institute Transitional Program
Children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) require lifelong follow-up care. As patients grow into their teen years and beyond, the transition from pediatric to adult services is an important, gradual process of education and preparation. Proper transition helps prevent disruptions in care—like missed appointments or medication lapses—that can lead to complications such as arrhythmias, heart failure, infection, stroke, or even death.
Our Transitional Program’s goal is to empower every patient to confidently manage their own care and complete a smooth transfer to adult congenital heart services. Each patient receives age-appropriate evaluation, education, and a personalized plan to support independence and long-term health. We also offer telemedicine appointments, and Spanish-language services are available.
Our Approach
We begin preparing early and guide families step by step:
- 12–14 years: Learn about your heart condition and begin taking small steps toward independence.
- 15–17 years: Build independence with medications, insurance basics, and making your own appointments.
- 18+ years: Prepare for and complete the transfer to adult congenital heart care with continued support.
Services We Provide
In our Transitional Program, we focus on what matters most as you grow:
- Health & Lifestyle
Learn about your specific heart condition and how to care for it daily. We’ll teach you how to stay active, eat well, and avoid risky habits that could affect your heart health. - Emotional Support
Living with a heart condition can be stressful. We regularly check in on your mental well-being – asking about stress, anxiety, or depression – and connect you with resources (like counselors or peer support) to help you stay emotionally healthy. - Independence & Future Planning
Practice managing your own medications, understanding your insurance, and preparing for adult responsibilities like college, work, and healthcare self-advocacy. We can also connect you with school support (IEP/504 resources) and career counseling to help plan for your future. - Relationships & Family Planning
Honest conversations about growing up with CHD, including topics like safe choices, responsibility, and understanding the risks of pregnancy with heart disease. - Smooth Transfer to Adult Care
Step-by-step support as you move into the UC San Diego Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, with close coordination between your pediatric and adult cardiology teams.
Team
José Alfonso Silva Sepúlveda, M.D. – Director, Single Ventricle Program & Transitional Program; Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Howaida El-Said, M.D., Ph.D. – Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory; Co-Director, Adult Congenital Heart Programs at UC San Diego; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UC San Diego
Elizabeth A. Valles, D.N.P, C.P.N.P.-PC, F.N.P.-C, C.C.R.N. – Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Transition Program)
Alyssa Seymour, R.N. – RN Care Coordinator III, Cardiovascular Surgery (Single Ventricle & Transitional Programs)
Amanda Eng – Administrative Associate, Cardiology Clinic (scheduling & appointment assistance)
Resources
- I ♥ Change: Teen/family transition tools — iheartchange.org
- Got Transition: Guides for youth, parents & providers — gottransition.org
- American Heart Association – About CHD: Easy-to-read info on CHD & lifelong care — heart.org
- Conquering CHD: Checklists, question guides, and Spanish resources — conqueringchd.org | Español
- Rady Children’s Transitional Care: Hospital-wide transition resources — rchsd.org/transitional-care
- Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA): Education, advocacy & peer support — achaheart.org
- Mended Little Hearts: Peer-to-peer support for families — mendedhearts.org
- Ollie’s Branch (OHHF): Free virtual mental health support — theohhf.org/ollies-branch
- Insurance Resources: Health for California / Covered California — healthforcalifornia.com/covered-california
- UC San Diego Health – Accepted Insurance Plans: health.ucsd.edu/insurance-billing/accepted-health-plans
- UC San Diego Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program: health.ucsd.edu » ACHD
- MyChart (Rady Children’s): Secure portal for appointments, results, and messaging — Log in
Events & Family Engagement
- Workshops & Classes: Periodic transition workshops (check back for dates).
- Single Ventricle Family Conference: Annual conference for families in the Single Ventricle & Transitional Programs (next date TBD).
- Teen/Young Adult CHD Conference: Patient-focused conference featuring adult CHD survivors and experts (dates and registration TBA).
Appointments & Contact
To schedule: 858-966-5855 858-966-5855 | Fax referrals: 858-966-7903
MyChart: Log in here and message your cardiologist to request a Transitional Program appointment.
Telemedicine appointments are available. Spanish-language services are offered to ensure every family feels supported and understood.
Primary contact: Amanda Eng, Administrative Associate, Cardiology Clinic
Location
Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego
Heart Institute, Rose Pavilion, 1st Floor South
3020 Children’s Way
San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: 858-966-5855 | Fax: 858-966-7903