JEFFERSON, Iowa – For Lori Herrick, RN, Emergency Department and Trauma Coordinator at Greene County Medical Center, organ and tissue donation is more than a medical procedure. It is an opportunity to extend the impact of one life far beyond its final moments.
During recent training with the Iowa Donor Network (IDN), Herrick reflected on her experience as an eye enucleator, helping recover eyes for donation and research. The memory still brings tears to her eyes. “I only did it once,” Herrick said, “but I’ll never forget her.”
With more than 30 years in healthcare Herrick remembers the emotional weight of caring for a patient who had died while also helping make donation possible. She recalls the care taken to preserve the patient’s appearance and dignity, allowing family members to say goodbye. The experience left a lasting impression of both the responsibility healthcare workers carry and the hope donation can offer others.
Jodi Miller, RN, BSN, Case Manager at the medical center, echoed the importance of that care. “I was very impressed with the Iowa Donor Network and how respectful they are to the family going through a tragedy or death, as well as the respect they have for the patient and donation,” Miller said.
The training, led by Joseph Swackhamer, EMT-P, CTBS and IDN Partner Relations Coordinator, reinforced a critical message: healthcare teams must work with the Iowa Donor Network to ensure families know about their options. “Every family has the opportunity to donate if they want the opportunity to donate,” he said.
The need is significant. More than 110,000 people nationwide are waiting for an organ transplant. During the training, Swackhamer illustrated the scale of that need by comparing the waiting list to Kinnick Stadium at the University of Iowa. Even if the stadium were filled to its 75,000-person capacity, another 35,000 people would remain.
Yet donation opportunities are rare, making timely referrals essential. By partnering with IDN, healthcare teams can help ensure families can consider donation and patients’ wishes are not overlooked.
The impact extends beyond transplantation. Donated eyes and tissue can restore sight, support healing and advance research that may lead to future medical breakthroughs. For healthcare workers who have witnessed donation firsthand, those possibilities give more meaning to an already difficult moment.
Iowans can register as organ, tissue and eye donors through the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa Donor Network website, MyChart or Logan’s Law when obtaining a hunting, fishing or fur-trapping license. Sharing those wishes with family members is equally important.
Donation is a deeply personal decision. Making that decision known and ensuring the opportunity to donate is considered can turn one person’s generosity into another family’s hope.