STSW Executive Board
- President: Clifton Hill (Vidant Medical Center)
- Vice President: Katie Newton (Baystate Medical Center)
- Secretary: Dawn Warfield (Johns Hopkins Hospital)
- Treasurer: Kristen DeVoe (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)
President - Clifton Hill
What transplant work do you do? 
I was first introduced to transplant through my work at the dialysis center, where I was a renal social worker for 10 years. About eight years ago I took my current position at ECU Health Medical Center. We have a kidney/pancreas transplant program that serves adults and pediatrics. I work in all areas of the program, though primarily with recipients.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I joined STSW within a couple of months of joining the transplant team. As a new transplant social worker is was so helpful to talk with others to get best practice ideas, and going to that first conference and new transplant social work session really helped me to solidify my role. I participated on the committee that developed the Pediatric Psychosocial Assessment Tool. I joined the Board four years ago as secretary. My work on the Board has given me even more appreciation for the work and knowledge that this group and our membership puts forth for our profession.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love theatre and while I have no aptitude for performing, make an effort to see all shows that come to the area. I volunteer with Carolina Basset Hound Rescue, and we’ve had at least one foster dog for the past seven years.
Vice President - Katie Newton
What transplant work do you do? 
I am kidney transplant and living donor social worker at Baystate Transplant Program in Springfield, Massachusetts. I began in this role in 2015. Prior to his I worked in various inpatient and outpatient medical settings, focusing primarily on oncology services.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I joined STSW in 2017 and attended my first STSW conference in 2018. Shortly after this I joined the tech committee and kidney committee. In 2020, I joined the board as the membership chair and continued to participate in the kidney committee, tech committee and joined the living donor committee. I also took the lead in tech needs for our annual conference. In 2022 I became the tech chair in addition to continuing my role as the membership chair. In 2023, I took on the role of vice president, while continuing with the tech chair role and ongoing involvement with the tech needs for our annual conference. I feel so honored and excited to be part of this organization and now a part of our board and executive board.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
In addition to spending time with my husband, two kids, two dogs and two cats, I love running, reading, playing the piano, crafts, going to as many musicals as I can, and watching Celtics basketball.
Co-Treasurer - Darshit Bakhai
What transplant work do you do? .JPG)
I am an Independent Living Donor Advocate and Living Donor Social Worker.
What is your involvement in STSW?
My involvement with STSW primarily started seeking mentorship back in 2013-2014 and then becoming involved in helping develop mentor program. I have remained involved with mentor committee since. I am involved with Living Donor Committee and presently chair for this committee.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
When not working I enjoy time with wife, our dogs, walks, watching shows, listening to music especially on vinyl, and travel.
Co-Treasurer - Rebecca Kerr
What transplant work do you do? 
I am a transplant social worker for abdominal transplants (kidney, liver, and pancreas) and for living donors at The University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center (located in Iowa City, IA). I am one of three transplant social workers on the UIHC abdominal transplant team, where we work with pre-transplant and post-transplant patients. I have been with UIHC since April 2022. Prior to that, I worked in hospice for 3 years and Medicaid (managed-care organization) for 3.5 years.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I joined STSW in July 2022 and was able to attend my first conference in October 2023 (San Diego, CA). I was involved as a mentee in the mentor program after the 2023 conference and found this to be invaluable both in crafting my role within my transplant team at UIHC and strengthening my confidence as a transplant social worker. I was able to participate in the STSW Consensus Project in 2025 as part of the Health Literacy focus group. Being able to do so allowed me to interact with fellow STSW members from across the country and learn from them in a variety of ways. I am excited to serve as the STSW Co-Treasurer starting this year. This will be my first board position, and I am honored that I get to be part of this amazing organization.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I'm not working, I tend to be a homebody. I love to read and tend to buy books faster than I can read them! I also love movies, being with my dog - Ozzie (an American Cocker Spaniel), being with my family (either in person or by phone), spending time with friends, and going to concerts (especially country music). I love sports as well - hockey (St. Louis Blues), baseball (St. Louis Cardinals), college football (University of Alabama), and professional football (San Francisco 49ers).Secretary - Lara Tushla
What transplant work do you do?
My role is with the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant teams. I work with people throughout the transplant continuum with the exception of inpatient discharge planning. I was an outpatient dialysis social worker for many years before joining the transplant team at Rush University Medical Center in 1998.What is your involvement in STSW?
Joining STSW was an obvious choice when I moved from the dialysis clinic setting to transplant. I maintain membership in STSW and the Council of Nephrology Social Workers through the National Kidney Foundation as there is much wisdom in both groups. I have attended a few conferences and even hosted one in Chicago many years ago. In June 2019, I joined the Board as the Public Policy Chair and transitioned to the Executive Committee as Secretary as of January 2024.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I enjoy traveling. Sometimes the only way to “get away” from work is to really “get away!” Also spending time with family and friends and cuddling with my senior, rescue cat.Past Treasurer - Chrissi White
What transplant work do you do?
I have been on the transplant team at AdventHealth since 2015. I have worked in liver, lung and living kidney donation. I’m currently the Social Worker and ILDA on the Living Donor team.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I received my CCTSW credentials in 2017. I have been a part of the living donor and lung committees. I served as the Living Donor chair from 2022- 2023 and the conference chair from 2020-2023. I’m excited to take on the new role of treasurer.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I love being a mom and spending time with my family.
