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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I was introduced to the field of transplant when I was hired as the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1988. For several years I covered all of the children on the unit including those children who were listed for or had received a solid organ transplant. Pediatric Social Work subsequently moved to coverage by specialty service and I then cross covered the children receiving transplants In 2011, hoping to develop more ongoing relationships with children and their families, I transferred to the position of Pediatric Cardiology Social Worker covering all of the Pediatric Heart Transplant and LVAD patients. Over the last 32 years I have been fortunate enough to watch the transplant field grow in all areas and I have had the amazing opportunity to grow professionally along with it.
I joined the STSW in September of 2016 as a “combination membership/conference” registration while I was awaiting to attend at my first STSW conference in San Diego. I knew from the start of the conference that I was among a group a social workers truly dedicated to clinical excellence in the field, and I wanted to be a part of such a dynamic organization. The following year, I volunteered to be a member of the Credentialing Committee during the conference in Scottsdale Arizona and was accepted in early 2018. As a member of the Credentialing Committee I have worked with committee members to revise the credentialing requirements as well as having an opportunity to interact with other social workers who shared my passion for the field and the desire to take the next step in their professional development by becoming credentialed. Just recently (2020) I applied for and was accepted in the role of Secretary on the Board. I am honored to be a part of a group of social workers who 35 years ago shared a vision that subsequently shaped the role of social organ transplant social work.
I am an outdoor enthusiast who loves activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking and white water rafting. I believe in pushing my boundaries and am now a novel (not so good) tap dancer. For those of you who have attended recent conferences you have seen me knitting. Next conference I will have needles in hand—come over or virtually say hi!
I am a senior social worker at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where I work with living kidney and living liver donors. Prior to this I worked in heart transplant/MCS for several years.
I have been involved in many capacities including working with membership to help register new members and renewals, especially as the conference approaches. I will soon be rotating of the credentialing committee after being part of that group since 2015. I am excited to be involved in a new way as treasurer.
I enjoy spending time with my partner and our 3 year old son. I also like to garden, bake and I really enjoy hiking when I can.