The Miracle of Organ Donation and Transplantation
Kathleen Gallivan
Kathleen Gallivan, SNDdeN, PhD, director, Spiritual Care Services
We are all familiar with the phrase “it takes a village.” This could not be truer than when it comes to organ donation and transplantation. Recently, a young person was brought to the Brigham’s Emergency Department in critical condition and transferred to one of our ICUs.
During the next few days, our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, social workers, chaplains and interpreters cared for this patient and family.
When it was clear that this patient would not survive, the family made the courageous decision to give the “Gift of Life” so that others in need could live. The care team now extended to the New England Organ Bank and staff in our OR.
As a result of the generosity of this family in their time of shock and grief, the “life” of this patient continues in the six people who received these precious gifts of organ donation and transplantation.
What amazing gifts this family made and what amazing work from our “village” of caregivers!
Did you know that BWH has an Organ Donation Hometeam that meets monthly to review cases, make process improvements and plan educational offerings to staff? The Hometeam members are physicians, nurse directors, nurse educators, an OR nurse, a chaplain and social worker, and members of the New England Organ Bank.