New Lead Fellow - Dr. Laura Hastenteufel
Bio
I am Laura Hastenteufel, a Clinical Fellow in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation with a particular interest in patient-centered care and medical education. I completed Cardiology training in the South of Brazil and moved to Toronto in 2025 to further specialize in the transplant field. As the Lead Fellow for 2026–2027, I hope to foster collaboration and engagement among fellowship programs, while promoting multidisciplinary teamwork.
Why did you decide to become the Lead Fellow in Transplant at the Ajmera Transplant Centre, UHN?
One of the main reasons I decided to become the Lead Fellow in Transplant was the opportunity to better understand the different needs and perspectives across transplant programs to foster collaboration toward excellence. Moreover, I hope to encourage fellows to recognize the meaningful impact and potential of their careers to change lives around them.
What inspires you in your work?
Taking care of those around me motivates me every day. Encouraging teamwork so that each person feels valued for their unique skills is important to improving outcomes for both the team and the patients.
What’s a fun fact about you that colleagues might not know?
Outside of medicine, I love spending time in nature - sunrise and sunset views, as well as hiking excursions, are my favorite vacation plans!
What’s something you’ve learned since joining Transplant?
I have been interested in transplant medicine since university, and caring for patients before and after transplant has especially taught me the importance of good communication and solid, collaborative physician–patient relationship. Building trust through carefully listening to patients’ and families’ expectations is key to navigating the roller coaster that a transplant journey may be.
I am Laura Hastenteufel, a Clinical Fellow in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation with a particular interest in patient-centered care and medical education. I completed Cardiology training in the South of Brazil and moved to Toronto in 2025 to further specialize in the transplant field. As the Lead Fellow for 2026–2027, I hope to foster collaboration and engagement among fellowship programs, while promoting multidisciplinary teamwork.
Why did you decide to become the Lead Fellow in Transplant at the Ajmera Transplant Centre, UHN?
One of the main reasons I decided to become the Lead Fellow in Transplant was the opportunity to better understand the different needs and perspectives across transplant programs to foster collaboration toward excellence. Moreover, I hope to encourage fellows to recognize the meaningful impact and potential of their careers to change lives around them.
What inspires you in your work?
Taking care of those around me motivates me every day. Encouraging teamwork so that each person feels valued for their unique skills is important to improving outcomes for both the team and the patients.
What’s a fun fact about you that colleagues might not know?
Outside of medicine, I love spending time in nature - sunrise and sunset views, as well as hiking excursions, are my favorite vacation plans!
What’s something you’ve learned since joining Transplant?
I have been interested in transplant medicine since university, and caring for patients before and after transplant has especially taught me the importance of good communication and solid, collaborative physician–patient relationship. Building trust through carefully listening to patients’ and families’ expectations is key to navigating the roller coaster that a transplant journey may be.
