Meaningful Aftercare Programs: Supporting Families after Donation

Pam Albert, RN, BSN, CPTC, began her career at New England Donor Services (NEDS) in June of 1989 as a donation coordinator, coming to this position with ten years of transplant nursing experience in Boston. At NEDS, she has worked as the Education Specialist/Hospital Development Coordinator, Donor Family Liaison, Director of Tissue Operations and Aftercare Services. In July of 2015, she took on the role of Sr. Director Tissue Donation & Aftercare Services. In this role she oversees the Aftercare Services Department and acts as a performance coach for Tissue Operations Center staff, as well as a mentor and coach for new managers and directors in Tissue Donation Services.

Patti Auch is the Family Care Coordinator at Dakota Lions Sight and Health. She works with hundreds of donor families at aRebecca Grossman, BSW, is the Senior Manager of Family and Community Resources and oversees the Aftercare Program. Her unique background fits well for this rewarding and complex position. Rebecca’s formal education began with a degree in social work from the University of Vermont. Rebecca has continued her education by earning certificates from University of Washington in Adult Education and Public Relations and has taken numerous courses to become a death doula. She also co-produced a live storytelling program for 11 years. She is an advocate, a storyteller, and has cultivated a truly remarkable community to support and connect SightLife donor families. given time, supporting them through their grief journey. She is humbled to have the opportunity to be a support resource to our donor families. Patti, has a BS in Health Administration, was a registered LPN and is nationally certified in Death & Grief Studies.

Rebecca Grossman, BSW, is the Senior Manager of Family and Community Resources and oversees the Aftercare Program. Her unique background fits well for this rewarding and complex position. Rebecca’s formal education began with a degree in social work from the University of Vermont. Rebecca has continued her education by earning certificates from University of Washington in Adult Education and Public Relations and has taken numerous courses to become a death doula. She also co-produced a live storytelling program for 11 years. She is an advocate, a storyteller, and has cultivated a truly remarkable community to support and connect SightLife donor families.

Deb Schuett is the family service coordinator for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank and has a passion for creating a variety of opportunities, programs, and events to honor all cornea and eye donors, compassionately serves to support and assist grieving donor families, and actively educates and encourages the grateful recipients of the gift of sight. Deb is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has worked in the healthcare profession throughout her career, joining the Iowa Lions Eye Bank staff in 2002.

Penny Loy is the PR/Communications Specialist for Miracles In Sight. Her daily work includes sending correspondence to donor families, and follow up on any and all questions pertaining to eye donation and corneal transplantation. She also coordinates correspondence between donor family/recipients. Penny also designed, developed, and executed shipment of the MIS family blanket.

Janice Sedgwick, CEBT, has worked for Georgia Eye bank the past 24 years and held many different positions within the organization.  In her current role as Public & Professional Relations Manager, she manages GEB’s community and professional relations activities.  Janice served as past chair for Donate Life Georgia and has been a member of the EBAA Donor, Partner and Community Relations Committee for a number of years.