A team of liver transplantation experts works closely with patients every step of the way. This team — made up of transplant surgeons, hepatologists, financial coordinators, social workers and other healthcare staff — helps patients understand the donation process so they can make informed health decisions.
Transplant Surgeons
Transplant surgeons specialize in transplantation and perform your transplant surgery. Our surgeons are trained to manage all stages of transplantation, including management of your immunosuppressive regimen. Click on each surgeon's name to learn more about their backgrounds and expertise.
Living Donor Specialist
- Nadia White
In addition to Nadia’s role of initially screening and educating our patients on living liver donation, she also facilitates the donor through their evaluation and testing. She is available to our donors throughout the process should they need anything. Once a donor has been approved for surgery, she manages their pre-operative appointments, surgery dates and their follow up care.
Nurse Transplant Coordinator
- Anna Nagengast RN
- Francesca Pirandello
Francesca is a nurse with training in liver transplantation and donation. She ensures all concerns of the potential donor and the donor advocate team are addressed, and that the overall process is carried out properly. She will also review the Informed Consent and answer any questions before it is signed.
Financial Coordinator
- Jennifer Fojas
- Keila Reyes
Our financial coordinators explain how the donor’s evaluation, surgery, hospitalization and follow up are billed and paid. They will explain what a donor can expect their out-of-pocket expenses to be, when their insurance may be used and what financial assistance options are available. They will also explain how donation may impact a donor’s ability to obtain health and/or life insurance.
Hepatologist
The hepatologist meets with each donor to educate them on the risks of liver donation and explain the benefit of living donation for the recipient. They will perform a physical exam and review the donor’s medical and family history. The hepatologist helps to ensure the donor’s liver is safe for donation.
Psychiatrist
Donors are required to bring a care partner with them to this appointment. (The care partner is the person they have designated to support them through this process but ultimately, this is the individual who will help care for the donor when they are discharged from the hospital). Dr. Salajegheh’s role is to help the donor understand the risks and benefits of liver donation. Donation can be emotionally stressful and a donor may become depressed, anxious or overwhelmed during the surgical procedures and recovery. Dr. Salajegheh will access their ability to handle the process and work with the potential donor to help them decide if donation is the best decision for them. She will also prepare the care partner for the tasks involved in their role.
Social Worker
- Sharon Staley
Sharon is the Social Worker/Independent Living Donor Advocate with the team. As the Social Worker, she performs a complete psychosocial evaluation of each potential donor. As the Donor Advocate, she assesses motivation and preparedness, along with understanding of the risks of donation. Sharon provides support services for donors throughout the entire process and remains available for long-term assistance as well.
Independent Physician
Dr. Turnbull is the independent Physician. He is an anesthesiologist on the full-time faculty of ÈÕ±¾avÉ«ÇéƬ. Dr. Turnbull is an equal member of the Donor Team but not tied in any way to the Division of Liver Transplant. He evaluates donors from the perspective of their general medical condition and the potential effect on their future health.
Living Donor Physician Assistant
- Ellie Brandon