ISHLT Appoints Pediatrics Transplant Leader Melissa Cousino as Scientific Program Chair for ISHLT2027
As announced at the ISHLT2025 meeting in Boston last month, Melissa Cousino, PhD, will serve as the Scientific Program Chair for the ISHLT’s 47th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions. Dr. Cousino will be the first non-physician ISHLT member to hold this position.
"It is one of my greatest honors to serve ISHLT and our global membership as the 2027 Annual Meeting Scientific Program Chair,” said Dr. Cousino. “As the first transplant psychologist and allied health professional in this role, this highlights the ISHLT’s tremendous commitment to uplifting the multidisciplinary nature of transplant medicine, while recognizing the biopsychosocial complexities of advanced heart/lung diseases. I am excited to partner with Dr. Peter Hopkins, the ISHLT program staff, and colleagues and friends from around the world to bring together a program that will inspire and advance our collective mission to innovate and improve care in heart and lung transplantation.”
The Scientific Program Chair leads the planning and execution of the ISHLT Annual Meeting Scientific Program, guiding the Executive Program Committee and Program Planning Committee. They serve as a liaison between staff, the ISHLT President, and the Education Oversight Committee, providing strategic direction and ensuring the program aligns with organizational goals while meeting attendee expectations.
Dr. Cousino is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Cardiac Surgery at University of Michigan Health, a pediatric transplant psychologist, and Director of M-COPE, the Psychosocial Services and Research Program for the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center.
Dr. Cousino has served on multiple ISHLT committees including the Standards & Guidelines Committee and the ISHLT2024 Annual Meeting Program Planning Committee. She is also the co-chair of the ISHLT’s Pediatric to Adult Transition Task Force.
"Dr. Cousino was offered a Program Chair appointment based on her demonstration of strong leadership skills, diplomacy, and inclusivity,” said Peter Hopkins, FRACP, 2026/2027 ISHLT President. “She possesses a wealth of experience in senior roles within the Program Committee of the Annual Meeting including roles in 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024.”
The ISHLT 47th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions will take place at the International Convention Centre Sydney in Syndey, Australia from 14-17 April, 2027.