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From Left: Lenora Agedbesan, |
A new group of trained transplant mentors is available to patients on the waiting list and their families who would like to have an extra measure of support through the transplant journey. The new mentors are from the liver, kidney, pancreas, and lung organ groups.
In November eight post-transplant patients, one caregiver, and two living donors participated in a two-part training course that culminated in a day-long seminar on mentoring. The sessions were designed by mentor volunteers and reviewed and approved by Hopkins professionals.
An innovative approach to training was the use of online conferences for a month before the classroom session. The online training offers not only convenience, but greater opportunities for interacting and reflecting on mentoring issues. The culmination of the training took place when the mentors-in-training joined each other at the November class. Course developers said preliminary training could take place via mail, should a participant not have access to a computer.
New mentors were trained by senior mentors, social workers, a psychologist, and a nurse. Mentors help patients and their families through the long wait for surgery and offer support and advice. All have experience that reflects UNOS regulations, technologies in use, and most important, compassion for those on the waiting list.
The Hopkins transplant center is one of the few in the nation that offers a formal mentoring program. It was begun in 1999 by post-transplant liver patients who recognized the need for additional support.
Pat Barget, Mentor Committee Chair, said, “We are thrilled to have additional mentors and to expand the program from its original organ group, liver, to now include lung, kidney, and pancreas representatives.”
To request a mentor, call the following: Liver Transplant Social Worker, Linda Darrell, L.C.S.W.-C. at (410) 955-6024, Kidney and Pancreas Social Worker, Angie Muir, L.C.S.W.-C., at (410) 614-4442, or Lung Transplant Coordinator, Terri Cook, R.N., B.S.N., at (410)614-4898
Those wishing to become a mentor can call the CTC Volunteer Desk at (410) 614-5622 to apply for the next training.
