Transplant Coordinators & Team
A transplant is a journey that involves much more than surgery. From your first evaluation through recovery and life after transplant, you’ll have a team of specialists working together to care for you.
At UVA Health, your transplant team includes experts from many areas who work together to help you understand your options, prepare for transplant, and feel supported along the way.
With You Every Step of the Way
Transplant coordinators are you for every step of your transplant journey, 24/7.
Heidi Flanagan: The transplant coordinator role begins after a patient's been referred to our program and insurance is cleared. And then I start the process with a lot of education and helping patients start to navigate the process of going down an evaluation pathway. And it can take several paths, but we do a lot of testing and a lot, a lot of education with patient and family.
Lori Franssen: A lot of things are happening to them and it's our job as coordinators to really help them and educate them on what to expect, and that really helps to kind of quell some of their fears.
Martha Perkins: And then on the post-transplant side, we are really trying to get them through the rigorous testing that they need to make sure that their graft is doing well, to make sure they're tolerating all the different medications we have them on, to make sure they're coping with everything they need to manage with all their new medications they're on after transplant, and that they themselves are mentally and physically doing well. And then we help them manage any symptoms they do have after transplant.
Lisa Williams: I'm a registered nurse and what I do is I talk to all people who come forward to be a kidney donor to a loved one or a friend. I ask them some questions over the phone, do an intake form, help them through the process. I essentially become their person of contact, their person to talk to, just their overall person really at UVA.
Martha Perkins: On an emotional level, my patients are my extended family. I have been in transplant for almost seven years, and I've done both pre and post-transplant, to the patients that I have, I've literally had them since the day they walk in the door for the most part. And I really do consider them family.
Heidi Flanagan: UVA's really their transplant family. This is somebody that they're going to follow up for the rest of their live, so it's not "We're just going to come to fix her arm and once the arm's fixed, not see." We see them for the duration.
Lori Franssen: They really look to us as their guides and as someone that they can trust throughout this process.
Lisa Williams: I love being able to tell somebody, "You've been approved to be a donor," especially when it comes to their loved ones. They get very emotional and very excited about that.
Martha Perkins: I'm all about giving people a second chance in live and when I see somebody that was on death's door three weeks ago, six months ago, two years ago, and watch them coming in or just hearing about how great they're doing and they got to hold their granddaughter or grandson or got to walk their daughter down the aisle, it's just what I live for. It just makes my day, so it's why we do what we do.`
Meet Your Transplant Team
Transplant Coordinators
Your transplant coordinator is one of your primary points of contact throughout your transplant journey. Our experienced transplant coordinators are nurses who help you navigate appointments, testing, medications, paperwork, and other important steps before and after transplant.
Transplant Physicians & Surgeons
Your transplant physicians and surgeons check your health, discuss your treatment options with you, and perform your transplant surgery. They work closely with the rest of your team to develop a plan that is right for you.
Advanced Practice Providers
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide care throughout your transplant journey, working closely with your physicians, surgeons, and other members of your team.
Pharmacists
Transplant pharmacists help you understand your medications, including the medicines you’ll need to take to protect your new organ. They can answer questions about side effects, interactions, and how to take your medications safely.
Dietitians
Nutrition plays an important role before and after transplant. Your transplant dietitian can help you understand how nutrition affects your health and develop a nutrition plan to support your recovery and long-term well-being.
Social Workers
Transplant social workers help you and your family navigate the emotional, practical, and social aspects of transplantation. They can connect you with resources and support throughout your journey.
Financial Coordinators
The financial side of transplant can be complicated. Financial coordinators help you understand your insurance coverage, financial responsibilities, and resources that may be available to you.
Access Team Members
Our transplant access team helps you connect with the right care at the right time. They help coordinate appointments, referrals, scheduling, and other details that keep your transplant care moving forward. Whether you’re beginning your transplant evaluation or returning for follow-up care, the access team helps make it easier to navigate your care.
Nurses & Other Specialists
This includes inpatient and outpatient nurses, physical therapists, transplant coordinator assistants, laboratory staff, and other specialists who work together to provide the care, expertise, and support you need before and after transplant.
Here for You Every Step of the Way
Your transplant team works together to care for the whole you, not just your transplant. We’re here to answer your questions, help you navigate each step, and support you and your family throughout your transplant journey.
For Living Donors
If you're considering living donation, you will have a transplant coordinator who is separate from the recipient’s coordinator. This helps protect your interests and gives you an independent advocate throughout the donation process.