Our mission
The Inpatient Transplant Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Post-Graduate Training Program is a structured four-month onboarding program designed specifically for newly hired Transplant Surgery APPs at the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute. It provides preparation to care for a medically and surgically complex transplant patient population through a combination of structured educational curriculum, preceptor led orientation, hands on patient care, integrated surgical and procedural observation, and participation in a variety of transplant academic conferences. This also includes ongoing mentoring from experienced transplant APPs. By the end of this training program, APPs will have the foundation for a successful transplant career.
Curriculum
Clinical
- Four segments on each organ system: Kidney & Pancreas, Liver, Bowel, Hepatobiliary Surgery with integrated educational curriculum
- Daily rounding on patients, use of clinical protocols, order sets and medical documentation
- Participation in interdisciplinary rounds, coordination of complex care, and discharge planning
- Systematic increase in patient load throughout the process to transition to independent practice
Educational
- Structured orientation with weekly learning objectives and corresponding self-paced educational materials
- Additional education via transplant conferences including academic conference, M&M, pathology conference, hepatology, nephrology, and APP core curriculum
- Opportunities to observe transplant and complex HPB surgeries, endoscopy, IR procedures such as biopsies, TIPS etc.
- Opportunities to receive clinical and academic mentorship from transplant faculty in APP organ of interest
- Senior APP mentors provides continued guidance throughout the program.
- Option to become members of national societies which provide CME and attend meetings from organizations such as the American Society of Transplant Surgeons' APP Committee (ASTS), American Society of Transplantation's APP Community of Practice (AST APP COP), American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), and the International Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplant Association (IIRTA).
Our program
MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute has over 35 Advanced Practice Providers (APPs—Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) supporting pre-transplant patients, as well as recipients of kidney, pancreas, liver, and intestine transplants with a 24/7 APP-led inpatient service. Featuring a robust orientation and training program, the team provides exceptional pre- and post-transplant surgical care to a high-acuity, complex medical and surgical population.
The program offers many unique opportunities for professional development including:
- Advanced Practice Council offering leadership opportunities, educational initiatives, clinical practice groups, mentoring, and community service
- Clinical research and quality improvement initiatives
- Specialized multi-disciplinary approach to care
- Protocols to support safe patient care
- Dedicated ICU and IMC level of care for transplant patients in the new Verstandig Pavilion
Program leaders
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Karen Strenger, PA-C
Karen Strenger, PA-C is an inpatient transplant hepatology provider that oversees professional development for the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute APP Program.
She graduated from the George Washington University Physician Assistant program in 2012. She began her medical career in Emergency Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and transitioned into Transplant Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in 2017. Her passion is caring for patients with end stage liver disease and guiding them through the liver transplant process. Karen also has a special interest in APP wellness initiatives and serves as an APP representative on the MedStar Wellness Champions Committee.
In 2021, Karen developed the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute APP Council to promote occupational engagement and improve educational opportunities for APPs in transplant. She launched many initiatives to improve orientation, education, and training for new providers. She oversees quality improvement projects, the APP student program, and educational partnerships across MedStar Health. Additionally, Karen is a member of the MedStar Health Advanced Practice Advisory Council (MHAPAC) and the MedStar Medical Group Governing Council representing the interests of APPs across the health system.
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Samantha A. Morse, PA-C
Clinical Lead APP, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Samantha A. Morse, PA-C, is a certified physician assistant with over a decade of experience specializing in Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and Transplant Surgery.
Samantha graduated from Drexel University where she earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2013. She began practicing at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2014, working as an inpatient APP with the HPB Surgery service. In 2016, she transitioned to a role at Massachusetts General Hospital as an inpatient APP with the Abdominal Transplant Surgery service. While at MGH, Samantha participated in research and education initiatives.
In October 2024, Samantha assumed the role of Clinical Lead Advanced Practice Provider (APP) at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, where she oversees APP operations within the Division of Transplant surgery (adult and pediatric), HPB Surgery, Hepatology and Nephrology. Samantha is committed to advancing high-quality, multidisciplinary care for patients with liver, pancreas, and biliary conditions, as well as those undergoing abdominal organ transplantation.
Contact us
Karen Strenger, PA-C, Professional Development APP
Karen.L.Strenger@gunet.georgetown.edu