Sarah Anais Mejia, PhD, MA, is the Attending Psychologist for the heart transplant team at Phoenix Children’s, where she plays a vital role in supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of pediatric transplant patients and their families. With four years of experience in the field, Dr. Mejia is known for her culturally responsive care, trauma-informed approach, and commitment to centering patient voices within the transplant journey.
She was nominated for The Alliance 40 Under 40 by Ms. Colleen Etou, a Social Worker at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “Through her collaborative, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed work, Dr. Mejia ensures that the patient experience remains at the heart of our transplant process,” wrote Etou. “Her approach promotes dignity, empowerment, and healing at every stage of care.”
In her role, Dr. Mejia provides comprehensive psychological services for one of the most racially and linguistically diverse pediatric heart transplant programs in the nation. She integrates clinical excellence with deep empathy, working closely with families from varied backgrounds to navigate complex diagnoses, treatment plans, and recovery. Her advocacy has helped shape more inclusive care pathways and elevated the voices of historically marginalized patients within the healthcare system.
Dr. Mejia’s practice is grounded in the belief that holistic support, attuned to both culture and circumstance, is essential to patient outcomes. She is particularly committed to trauma-informed frameworks and has helped implement protocols that better support children coping with medical trauma, grief, and long-term hospitalization.
Dr. Mejia exemplifies the critical role of psychological care in pediatric transplantation. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the human side of medicine and a powerful dedication to ensuring that every child and family is seen, heard, and supported.