Mrs. Heather Johnson
Transplant Coordinator
I started my journey with the National Organ Transplant Unit in August of 2006. This was after meeting Dr Roberts a few months before and she encouraged me to apply for the position of Transplant Coordinator. I guess you can say it was divine intervention.
My next question was, what does a Transplant Coordinator do? There was quite an exhaustive list of responsibilities but my past nursing experiences in Intensive Care Nursing made it manageable. However, I was not prepared for the pioneering work that lay ahead.
The work was quite doable, especially when you had a leader who was a visionary and a team that shared the vision. The synergy gave me the boost that was needed on days when I felt that I could not make another move. Those early years in transplant were quite exciting indeed. The clients were literally transformed before my eyes. Their response to the transplantation was amazing.
I remember the clinic environment was always a buzz of excitement. I called it the “well baby clinic”. We have had our challenges and hurdles, but as a team we regrouped, learned from our mistakes and pressed on forward. I would like to thank Dr Roberts for her vision and for that stable foundation that she laid for NOTU.
As I look back over the years, what I enjoyed most as the coordinator was patient education. The clients had to know their medication before leaving hospital. Sometimes I had to find creative ways for teaching, but it was worth the effort indeed. They became independent and was taking part in their own health maintenance
Career wise, I really do feel fulfilled and have accomplished my goals. I can see results of work and effort and that is rewarding to me.
