Sarah Ann Keil Heinonen, DNP, APRN, CPNP
Clinical Assistant Professor

Sarah Ann Keil Heinonen, DNP, APRN, CPNP, is a clinical assistant professor at the KU School of Nursing, teaching courses in alterations in physiological functioning (pathophysiology) as well as pharmacology.

Dr. Heinonen received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice, as well as a Nursing Education Certificate from Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Md. Previously she had earned Masters in Nursing and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degrees from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York.

A board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care, Dr. Heinonen specializes in pediatric and fetal cardiology, as well as pediatric intensive care. She completed an internship and a fellowship in pediatric cardiology and has worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner, pediatric cardiology nurse practitioner, fetal cardiac nurse practitioner and fetal hearts program coordinator as well as in primary care pediatric settings.

In addition to her current teaching position, Dr. Heinonen has taught a number of subjects in a variety of institutions and universities while ensuring not only a high level of rigor and scholarship but also a strong emphasis on interprofessional collaboration in practice, research, and education. These subjects include, but were not limited to; clinical pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, biology, as well as structure and function of an organism.

Dr. Heinonen has been involved in clinical and translational research in a variety of topics and settings related to pediatrics while collaborating with other disciplines to ensure high quality outcomes. She has also been involved in a number of national and international pediatric presentations and publications.

Dr. Heinonen is a fellow of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Honor Society - Sigma Theta Tau International, Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Societ, in addition to others. She has received awards for excellence in service as well as documentation, honors in all academic programs attended in addition to other nominations and awards. Dr. Heinonen was awarded the Commanders Award for Public Service, which is the 4th highest civilian award presented by the United States Army.

Presentations, Publications and Research Activities

• Heinonen SAK and Shaefer SJ. (2012). Fetal Echocardiography Referral Project. The Journal of Pediatric Healthcare; Elsevier. (Currently Under Review).
• Heinonen, SAK. (2012). Pediatric Cardiology for the Pediatric Primary Care Provider; an online course proposal. National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner's (NAPNAP). PNPSourCE Course Proposal Submission. (Under Review).
• Heinonen SAK. (2008/2011). Pediatric Cardiology Resident Curriculum Primer. Loma Linda University Medical Center/Children's Hospital, Pediatric Cardiology Publication. Revision.
• Ejike JC, Newcombe JB, Heinonen SAK, Mulla NF, Fitts JA, Hasaniya NW, Bailey LL and Razzouk AJ. "Modifications in surgical technique and protocol improve Norwood outcomes in a low volume institution." (2010). 5th World Congress of Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. Cardiology in the Young, 20 , pp 1-422 doi:10.1017/S1047951109991946.
• Newcombe JB and Heinonen SAK. 5th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Cairns, Australia. "Modifications in surgical technique and protocol improve Norwood outcomes in a low volume institution." Presented June 2009.
• Heinonen, Sarah AK. (2001). A Review of the Introduction to Experimental Cardiovascular Surgery Research for premedical Students at Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine. Syracuse Biological Sciences Publication Spring 2001.
• Caruso L, Heinonen S and Michalski R. (2000). "Therapeutic Play in Pediatrics". Omicron Alpha and Omicron Chapters of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society Publication, May 2000.
• Caruso L and Heinonen SAK. 5th Annual Nursing Research Poster Presentation; SUNY State University of New York, Syracuse, New York "Therapeutic Play in Pediatrics". Presented April 2000.
• A Transplant/PICU Study Titled: The effect of non-medical factors post-transplant on short and intermediate term outcomes of pediatric heart transplants. A single center's experience 2005 – 2008. 2007-2009.
• PFO Device Closure Study: Research Coordinator and site Co-PI. Loma Linda Medical Center Catheterization Laboratory, Loma Linda, CA; 2007-2010.
• Shaken Baby Syndrome Research and Prevention Education Pilot Study; Research Coordinator and PI. Johns Hopkins Hospital Baltimore, MD; August 2003–Spring 2004 (Applied and received grant from radiothon funds for project 2003).
• Berg E and Heinonen SAK. Pediatric Burn Protocols and Procedures for PICU. Johns Hopkins Hospital PICU. Baltimore, MD. 2002.
• Berg E and Heinonen, SAK. Pediatric Burn Standardized Order Sets, PICU. Johns Hopkins Hospital PICU. Baltimore, MD. 2002.
• The Effects of a Small-Dose Naloxone Infusion on Opioid-Induced Side Effects and Analgesia in Children and Adolescents Treated with Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia: Unit Nurse Researcher. A Double-Blind, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study. Johns Hopkins Hospital. Baltimore, MD. 2001-2003.
• Prone Study in Pediatric ICU ARDS Patients; Johns Hopkins Hospital PICU; Baltimore, MD; Spring 2002–Spring 2004. Unit Nurse Researcher. Clinical Trial Design - Effect of prone positioning on clinical outcomes in infants and children with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• Medical Examiner's Office, Research Data Collection. A Review of infant death certificates for cause of death in pediatric population <1 year of age, prior to 1970 that had bronchiolitis or unknown cause listed to compare with both current day cause of SIDS and SBS/Child abuse cause of deaths reported. Assistant Researcher. Syracuse Medical Examiner's Office. Syracuse, NY; August 1999–May 2000.
• Introduction to Experimental Cardiovascular Surgery Research, Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine; December 2000. Visiting Student Researcher. Research was based on the evidence of the proximal portion of the jejunum in a pig and the acellular growth in the aorta. Research towards the utilization of aortic grafting that mimics or assimilates the cells of the surrounded host tissue.