Building on the collective experience and innovations of adult and pediatric cardiologists
Patients who have been treated for a congenital heart defect or disease often require lifelong monitoring or care to make sure their hearts remain healthy and no further complications develop. We combine forces with the experts at Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C., to offer one of the few programs in the nation—and the only one in the D.C. area—that caters to the complex needs of adult congenital heart patients.
Our doctors complete an extra one to two years of cardiology training in congenital heart disease. Across the country, there are fewer than 75 doctors with this type of specialized training. It’s critical to ensure our experts know exactly how to care for patients—whether they have a simple defect with no symptoms, or a complex condition with life-threatening symptoms.
Ongoing research is vital to the advancement of this specialized field. We are constantly perfecting our understanding of congenital heart disease in adults, many of whom face an increased risk of heart conditions years after corrective surgery. We collect nonidentifiable data on these patients so we can improve outcomes and share data among cardiac subspecialties.
Patients in our Adult Congenital Heart Center have access to a broad network of experts in related subspecialties, including:
Our team
Our care team includes experienced clinicians, case managers, and outreach staff who specialize in HIV care and community health.
We believe in building strong relationships with our patients, offering guidance, respect, and encouragement every step of the way.
Ryan White Support Staff
Allison Daly, MSW, LICSW Part C /D Program Manager, 202-877-5391
Antonio Pineda, Part A/DIS Program Manager, 202-877-7412
Chizoba Anako, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AAHIVS, Advanced Practice Provider, 202-877-4691
Emma B. Aarons, PsyD, Psychologist
Semira Adhana, Treatment Navigator, 202-877-8792
Alyssa Agnew, MSW, LGSW, Medical Case Management, Inpatient Consultations, Mental Health referrals, 202-877-5648
Ziara Battle, MSW, LGSW, Medical Case Management, Inpatient Consultations, Mental Health referrals, 202- 877-3599
Kimberly French, Treatment Navigator, 202-877-0679
Jennell Green, Treatment Navigator, 202-877-7630
Janet Keys, Treatment Navigator 771-200-0411
Irvin Luza-Herrera, Community Navigator, 202-877-2807
Billie Tyler, BSN, Nurse Care Manager, 202-877-9163
Kylee Wimberly, Disease Intervention Services and Partner Contact Tracing, 202-877-2131
Our providers
Expert cardiology care
Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our cardiologists.
Program information
Getting started with the MedStar Health Ryan White Program is simple, supportive, and confidential. We’re here to help you access the care and services you need every step of the way.
Registration
The Ryan White team will meet with you separately or after your physician's appointment. Please allow additional time after your appointment (about 30 to 45 minutes) to meet with the Ryan White staff, complete bloodwork, receive vaccinations, and schedule your follow-up appointment.
To help make your first visit run more smoothly, please bring:
- Your insurance card
- A photo ID
- Any referrals or other necessary insurance information
New patients should arrive 30 minutes before their first appointment to complete registration and medical record setup. Returning patients should arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and register. To receive financial assistance through the Ryan White Program, you’ll need to provide proof of income, which is reviewed twice each year.
Behavioral Health Services
Groups and Individual therapy appointments are available only for Ryan White Eligible patients with referrals from their physicians or Ryan White Support Staff. For more information call 202-877-9136.
Patient portal
We encourage all clients to enroll in the MWHC Patient Portal as this enables more efficient and rapid care coordination online. All physicians and Ryan White Support team members can be contacted through the patient portal.
Paperwork assistance
Our team can help you complete the forms needed for services, benefits, or other support programs. If the paperwork requires an in-person medical exam, but there is an approaching deadline for completion, the team can try to help schedule an earlier appointment for completion of the paperwork.
To ensure timely processing:
-
Allow 1–2 weeks for paperwork to be completed.
-
Submit forms at least 2 weeks before their due date or expiration.
Patient resources
Learn more about our program and services:
Client Advisory Board (CAB)
Your experience and feedback are important to us. The Client Advisory Board gives patients the opportunity to share ideas, suggest program improvements, and help shape the future of the program.
If you’re interested in volunteering for just a few hours every three months, please contact 202-877-0679 to learn more or join the list of interested clients.
Ryan White Program in the news
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.