Our Nursing Staff

Mary has been associated with the Ahmanson/UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Program, the first adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) program in the United States, since its beginning, and currently coordinates their high risk pregnancy program, In 2010, in an effort to ensure successful transfer of care from the pediatric to adult setting, the UCLA Adolescent Transitional Cardiac Care program in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology was established. Since its inception, Mary has served as the program coordinator Mary is also on the faculty of the UCLA School of Nursing teaching in the advanced practice graduate nursing program.

Education: Bachelor’s in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles, Master’s in Nursing and Master’s in Public Health from University of California, Los Angeles; She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and the American Heart Association Her clinical and research interests have focused on reproductive outcomes in females born with congenital heart disease (CHD) focusing specifically on pregnancy outcomes in women with complex CHD. In 2017, she Chaired the American Heart Association Scientific Statement on Management of Pregnancy in Patients with Complex Congenital Heart Disease, published in Circulation. Previously, in 2011 she also served on the writing committee of the American Heart Association’s Scientific Statement, on Best Practices in Managing Transition to Adulthood for Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease: The Transition Process and Medical and Psychosocial Issues in Circulation.

Kristen began her nursing career at LAC/USC Medical Center and then moved to UCLA CTICU. She enjoyed the diversity of the adult and pediatric population in the CTICU and went to Children's Hospital Los Angeles as a Nurse Practitioner to work full time in pediatrics in 2001. She recently re-joined our Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Program as a NP in February 2012.

Education: Master Science in Nursing, UCLA, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program 1997; Bachelor Science in Nursing, CSUDH 1995; Associate Degree Nursing, Pasadena City College 1982.
Professional Experience: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital Medical Center: 2012-present; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles: 2001-2012; CTICU RN UCLA Medical Center 1986-2005, CTICU/Vascular and General Surgery Service LAC/USC Medical Center 1982-1986.
Certification: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Robynn Goldstein has worked with UCLA Children’s Heart Center as a Nurse Practitioner for 2 years. She comes to UCLA after caring for Cardiology and Electrophysiology patients in private practice for 12 years as a Nurse Practitioner. As a staff nurse, Robynn worked at the USC University Hospital for 8 years where she held multiple positions including Staff Nurse, Lead Preceptor, Charge Nurse, and ultimately as the Clinical Nurse Educator for the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. She was responsible for staff development and setting clinical practice standards through active research, writing policies, formal presentations and mentorship. Her active involvement in staff development at USC University Hospital earned her the Nurse of the Year award in 1999.

Robynn attended school at UCLA, were she graduated as both an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and a Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is board certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. In 2005 she obtained the NASPExAM/IBHRE testamur for pacing from Heart Rhythm Society.

Her responsibilities at UCLA included managing both Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology patients. She oversees a busy state of the art device clinic with the latest in remote monitoring for our patients both domestically and internationally. Robynn is excited to continue her career here at UCLA caring for both Pediatric and Adult Congenital patients.