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Joshua David Sparks

Joshua David Sparks, MD

Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Pediatrics

Languages

  • English

Gender

Male

About Joshua David Sparks

Academic Title

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Biography/ Philosophy of Care

Dr. Sparks joined the University of Louisville Division of Pediatric Cardiology in 2012.  He has led the Pediatric Heart Transplant program at Norton Children’s Hospital and University of Louisville since 2014, and under his leadership the program has grown and provided excellent outcomes for patients, including the first implantation of a mechanical ventricular assist device (VAD) in a child in the state of Kentucky. 



Dr. Sparks serves on committees for national and international heart transplant organizations including the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) and Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS), and serves as a co-investigator for multicenter research studies which offer the opportunity for patients in Kentucky and southern Indiana to enroll in clinical trials.

Recognition

Publications:

Sparks JD, Boston U, Eghtesady P, Canter C. B-type natriuretic pepide trends after pediatric heart transplantation. Pediatr Transplant. 2014 Aug;18(5):477-84.

Sparks J, EpsteinD ; Baltagi S, Mehegan ME. Simpson KE, Canter CE, Silvestry S, Eghtesady P, Boston US. Continuous flow device support in children using the HeartWare HVAD: A 1000 days of lessons learned from a single center experience. ASAIO J. 2015 Sep-Oct; 61(5):569-73.

Sparks J, Keller BB. Insights into Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Selection, Adverse Events, and Outcomes – A Favorable Evolution. Accepted for Publication June 2017, ASAIO J.

Clinical Interests/Research

Clinical: Pediatric heart failure, Pediatric heart transplantation, Pediatric mechanical cardiac support devices

Research: New medications for pediatric patients with advanced heart failure, Optimizing care for patients with cardiomyopathies, improving outcomes for pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: Washington University , Pediatric Heart Transplantation, 2014
  • Fellowship: Washington University , Pediatric Cardiology, 2012
  • Residency: University of Louisville , Pediatrics, 2009
  • Medical Education: University of Louisville School Of Medicine, 2006

Board Certifications

  • Pediatric Cardiology: American Board of Pediatrics, 2012
  • Pediatrics: American Board of Pediatrics, 2011
Norton Children's

Norton Children's has cared for Kentucky and Southern Indiana children without regard to their families' ability to pay for more than a century. As the need for expert pediatric care has grown, so has the specialized care we provide. Our medical facilities currently serve more than 185,000 patients each year.

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