Cohen Children’s Medical Center Celebrates its First Pediatric Heart Transplant

May 19th, 2025 Alex Costello

Cohen Children’s Medical Center celebrated its first pediatric heart transplant on May 21. Justin Cauthen, a 17-year-old from Jamaica, Queens, received a new heart on March 28, just weeks after the hospital received approval from the state to start performing the procedure.

Justin was visiting his primary care doctor at Northwell Health Cohen Children’s General Pediatrics at New Hyde Park, located at 410 Lakeville Road, in early March. Anchara Vivek, MD, and Medical Assistant Lorena Idrovo took Justin’s vitals and saw something was wrong. They immediately sent him to the emergency department at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, setting off Justin’s journey.

“The physicians and nurses here at Cohen Children’s Medical Center have done fantastic work, and I’m so pleased to see Justin making an amazing recovery,” said Charles Schleien, MD, senior vice president and chair of pediatric services at CCMC. “We have been working for years to bring pediatric heart transplants to Long Island, and I know Justin’s story is just the first of many to come.”

After Justin arrived at the emergency department, he was admitted to the hospital with acute heart failure. He was stabilized with the emergency use of a heart/lung bypass machine, and after a thorough evaluation the Pediatric Heart Transplant Team determined he needed a new heart to survive. Justin remained at the hospital while waiting for a donor heart. When a suitable heart was found, the transplant team leapt into action. The 7-hour-long operation, led by Timothy Martens, MD, and assisted by Deane Smith, MD, has given Justin a new lease on life.

“I’ve been involved in dozens of pediatric heart transplants, and it never ceases to amaze me,” said Jake Kleinmahon, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Heart Failure and Heart Transplant program. “Seeing Justin’s new heart beat for the first time was incredible. And seeing him getting his life back is an amazing privilege. I can’t wait to bring this same success to more children on Long Island, and to see what the future holds for Justin.”

The logistics of a pediatric heart transplant

Coordinating a heart transplant is a massive undertaking. After a donor is identified, the organ must be packed for transport and flown to Cohen Children’s Medical Center. During that time, doctors begin the operation on the patient. Timing is crucial – the donor organ cannot wait very long, so the patient has to be undergoing surgery to have their heart removed while the organ is in transit. “Organ transplants are some of the most complex operations in healthcare,” said Nabil Dagher, MD, senior vice president and director of Northwell’s Transplant Institute. “But being able to give people, especially children, a new lease on life makes all of the incredible work our doctors and nurses do worth it. At Northwell, we’re dedicated to providing the best transplant care possible.”

Justin’s procedure was a success, and he began working on regaining his strength and mobility shortly after his operation. He is getting more of his life back every day.

“I want to thank the team at this hospital. Because without them, I’m not sure I would have made it to today,” Justin said. “This new heart is amazing. I feel stronger, I feel better. More like myself. I get to go home and enjoy my life again.”

“He was the first patient to receive a new heart here,” said Jamel Cauthen, Justin’s father. “I wasn't sure at first. But when I spoke with the doctors and saw how transparent they are, they earned my confidence and my trust. They walked me through step-by-step. I was here to stay every night with him through the whole ordeal. I was here throughout the days. They allowed me to also take on some of the responsibility of caretaking, giving him his medicines, and pushing me. They allowed me to put on a mask and participate. You know, I felt helpless and didn't know what to do, and because of those things, it allowed me to contribute what I can.”

Cohen Children’s Medical Center is the first pediatric heart transplant program available on Long Island. According to data from the United Network of Organ Sharing, 55% of all pediatric heart transplants that happen in New York state are within CCMC’s service area.