Increasing Opportunities For Communication Between Donor Families And Recipients

This engaging presentation will enlighten attendees on the true value of a donor family & recipient connection. We will explain the obstacles in place that prohibit these connections among tissue donor families and recipients. We will further describe the need to eliminate these boundaries in order to best serve our key donation stakeholders. We will review a current working donor family/recipient correspondence model. Audience members can expect to leave this presentation feeling open minded & motivated to drive a change!

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the value of donor family and recipient bonds.
2. Explain current donor family and recipient communication practices.
3. Identify ways to eliminate tissue donor family and recipient connection obstacles & increase correspondence opportunities.

Lauralee Brown, RN, MHSA, CPHQ

Lauralee Brown joined MTF Biologics in 2001 after 10 years of working in the field of donation and transplantation. Her introduction to the field began as a critical care cardiovascular nurse caring for heart and lung transplant recipients. She then accepted a position working for LOPA as a recovery/hospital development coordinator. In 1994, she joined the Midwest Transplant Network and was promoted in 1997 to Manager of Operations with responsibilities overseeing Quality Management, Staff Development and Training, Community Education, Donor Family Services, and Special Projects. Lauralee currently serves as a senior regional director, managing client relations, overseeing donor services communication, and other projects for MTF Biologics.

Melissa Chiumiento, BSBA

Melissa Chiumiento is an Aftercare Specialist at New England Donor Services. She has served thousands of donors’ families over the course of her five year career. She graduated Suffolk University in Boston, MA in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. As someone who works with and for donor families every day, Melissa offers extensive knowledge and insight into the true needs and expectations of this population. She also specializes in maintaining professional relationships with local transplant centers & recipient acknowledgement/engagement with donor families.