About Us
Hearing that your child needs heart surgery is never easy. Fortunately, you are not alone. Cardiac experts at Children’s Nebraska’s Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Heart Center are with you every step of the way, ensuring you are fully informed about your child’s condition and the care our team is providing.
Children’s board-certified pediatric and congenital cardiothoracic surgeons work one-on-one with families to provide the highest level of care for the full spectrum of heart conditions. Our team of providers works across disciplines, including pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists, pediatric cardiac perfusionists, pediatric cardiac intensivists, cardiac nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The patient care team also includes cardiology, nursing and more. This collaborative approach ensures exceptional care for every child from diagnosis through surgery and recovery.
Contact Us
Make an Appointment
Phone:
Fax:
402.955.4364
Conditions We Treat
We are dedicated to addressing a variety of conditions in children, supporting them from prenatal stages through young adulthood. Our skilled team collaborates across multiple specialties to deliver exceptional care, ensuring that each child's treatment plan is comprehensive and tailored to their specific needs.
Meet Our Providers
Get to know our cardiothoracic surgery specialists. These board-certified physicians are trained in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in young patients. Our team also offers support services for our patients and their families with experts including behavioral health specialists, child life specialists, dietitians, nursing case managers, pharmacists and social workers.
Camille L. Hancock Friesen, MD
Language: English
Specialties: Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Ali N. Ibrahimiye, MD
Languages: German, English
Specialties: Adult Congenital Cardiac Disease, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Kristy J. Cook, APRN-NP
Language: English
Specialties: Adult Congenital Cardiac Disease, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiology, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Treatments and Services
We collaborate closely with other specialists to create personalized care plans, ensuring that each child receives effective and compassionate treatment tailored to their specific needs. Our range of services include:
Locations
Related Specialties
Cardiology
Fetal Heart Program
Heart Center (Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Heart Center)
Next Steps
Step 1
Call 402.816.2945 to make an appointment. You will need a referral for surgery.
Step 2
Speak with your child’s pediatrician and request that they send your child’s medical records to your Children’s cardiologist or surgeon before your appointment.
Patient Spotlight
Jagger’s Story: Heading Home After 548 Days in the Cardiac Care Unit
The Grove Family’s Story: Heart Center Surgeon Receives Grateful Tribute
What Sets Us Apart
Children’s first-in-the-region Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) is a floor exclusively dedicated to caring for the full spectrum of pediatric heart patients. Working alongside Children’s specialists, the CCU team includes highly skilled nurses and advanced practice providers specially trained in providing exceptional care to pediatric patients with cardiovascular conditions.
Our program integrates the expertise of cardiologists, anesthesiologists and other pediatric specialists to deliver comprehensive care from diagnosis through recovery. Utilizing the latest surgical techniques and technologies, we aim to enhance outcomes and reduce recovery times, all while emphasizing a family-centered approach to support families throughout the process. Children’s has a strong track record of successful outcomes, even in high-risk cases, thanks to our extensive experience and ability to manage a large volume of challenging conditions effectively. Additionally, we continuously refine our practices based on cutting-edge research and advancements in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery.
Awards and Honors
Our Adult Congenital Heart Disease program is accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association and was the first in the nation to achieve reaccreditation.
Children's Pulmonary Hypertension Program is accredited by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association as a Regional Clinical Program. It is the first pediatric program to achieve this designation.
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