GIANNA MLADENOVA
Chicago
Summary
Experienced Physician Assistant specializing in abdominal organ transplantation with strong operative first-assist skills, outpatient transplant management, and program development experience. Proven ability to work in high-acuity academic medical centers and multidisciplinary transplant teams.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Transplant Surgery Physician Assistant
Loyola University Medical Center
Maywood
01.2021 - Current
- OR first assist in open, laparoscopic, and robotic abdominal transplant procedures including liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation, hepatectomy resections, and complex general surgery cases.
- Provide inpatient and outpatient care for kidney transplant recipients, including immunosuppression management, wound care, post-operative monitoring, and longitudinal follow-up.
- Participate in comprehensive pre- and post-operative care of living kidney donors.
- Built and implemented a Transplant Metabolic Clinic to optimize weight management and transplant candidacy.
- Contributed to development and optimization of the OrganOx liver perfusion program.
- Coordinate daily care with transplant surgeons, fellows, residents, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and transplant coordinators.
- Manage administrative responsibilities including intra-abdominal transplant OR call scheduling and cross-service communication.
General Surgery & Plastic Surgery Rotations
Des Moines
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Evaluated acute surgical and traumatic conditions including fractures, dislocations, crush injuries, and complex wounds.
- Conducted pre- and post-operative assessments and managed complications.
- First assist in open and laparoscopic procedures including cholecystectomy, hernia repair, excisions, and colectomy.
Education
Master of Physician Assistant Studies -
Des Moines University
Des Moines, IA01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Sciences, Biology
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI01.2017
Skills
- OR first assist
- Immunosuppression management
- Pre- and post-operative care
- Transplant program development
- Complex care coordination
- Surgical evaluation skills
Affiliations
- American Academy of Physician Assistants
- American Society of Transplantation
Publications
- Weight Loss Clinic for Kidney Transplant Candidates and Recipients, World Transplant Congress 2025, Mladenova G et al., American Journal of Transplantation, 25, 8, S790, 2025
- Utilization of Pediatric En Bloc Kidneys from Donation After Cardio-Circulatory Determination of Death: 15 Years of Experience, De Gregorio L, Aguirre O, Mladenova G, Fernandez L, Garcia-Roca R., Clinical Transplantation, 39, 11, e70397, 2025
Licensure And Certification
- Physician Assistant, NCCPA Certified, 2020-Present
- Illinois State PA License, 2020-Present
- DEA Controlled Substance Registration, 2019-Present
- BLS / ACLS
Languages
Bulgarian
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Transplant Surgery Physician Assistant
Loyola University Medical Center
01.2021 - Current
General Surgery & Plastic Surgery Rotations
01.2019 - 01.2020
Master of Physician Assistant Studies -
Des Moines University
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Sciences, Biology
Marquette University