Connected by Life

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes back Francesca Campbell, Certified Child Life Specialist. She shares her profound experience into how families process death and find resilience through difficult times. Francesca also talks about how the legacy of organ and tissue donation can provide families a sense of purpose and hope amidst their loss. They continue their discussion that by supporting parents and their children, families can navigate their grief journey with strength and compassion while honoring their life-saving hero.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes Francesca Campbell, Certified Child Life Specialist. They delve into the sensitive, yet crucial topic of helping children cope during a tragic loss. Cesca shares her expertise on supporting children through the grieving process. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and validating children's feelings, emotions and their understanding as they navigate the complex terrain of grief. By providing compassionate support and utilizing age-appropriate interventions, we are able to help children find healing and hope in the midst of death.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes Dr. Jonathan Eaton, the Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at LSU Health in Shreveport. Dr. Eaton shares his experience supporting families dealing with loss, highlighting the profound impact organ donation can have on both donors' families and recipients. He discusses the delicate balance of grief and hope as families navigate the opportunity to save lives amidst tragedy. He provides an invaluable perspective on the healing power of organ donation advocacy and the transformative journey it offers to those touched by death and the gift of life.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes back Brian Castille, former fire chief and the proud father of an organ donor hero. In celebration of April National Donate Life month, Brian continues to share an inspirational story about his son becoming an organ donor hero, leaving behind a legacy of hope and healing. Through Brian's poignant storytelling, we gain insight into the profound impact of organ donation and the ripple effects it creates within families and communities. He recounts how the support provided by the physicians and healthcare teams helped their family make a decision that would forever change their lives.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes Brian Castille, former fire chief and the proud father of an organ donor hero. Brian shares an incredibly touching story about his son - a soldier, a fireman and life-saving organ donor hero. They discuss the crucial role of physicians and healthcare teams in supporting families during such challenging times, which underscores the importance of compassionate care and understanding in the medical profession. Brian focuses on how providing guidance to families navigating loss is an essential aspect that can make a profound difference in their healing process, while making end of life decisions.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes back Dr. Clifford Courville, a Critical Care Pulmonologist at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and a leader among healthcare professionals. Dr. Courville shares his experiences of supporting families through the most challenging times of loss. He talks about how vital the physician’s role is when communicating with families on the medical situation in understandable terms, while helping them make informed end-of-life decisions. Dr. Courville also discusses the collaboration with the organ procurement agency to facilitate the gift of life through organ donation. It’s an opportunity that can truly make a difference in saving lives of those in need of a transplant and honoring the legacy of the donor hero.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes Dr. Clifford Courville, a Critical Care Pulmonologist at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and a leader within healthcare. Dr. Courville discusses the importance of providing factual information to families, along with how essential it is to include empathy and consistent communication when talking about their loved one’s condition or prognosis. Through his experience, he shares how crucial the physician's role is when families are potentially facing the loss of a loved one and having to make end of life decisions.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes back Ali Heard, registered nurse, Trauma Director at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital and sister of a donor hero. They continue their discussion on the importance of supporting families experiencing tragic loss, while also preserving the opportunity of donation. They delve into the collaborative impact between the organ procurement teams and the healthcare partners. Ali shares her personal experience and emphasizes that by working together, we are able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are grieving and for those in need of a life-saving transplant.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes Ali Heard, registered nurse, Trauma Director at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital and sister of a donor hero. Gracie's legacy serves as a beacon of light, inspiring others to consider the gift of organ donation and to embrace the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Ali's personal and professional journey with organ donation highlights the transformative power of generosity and love, leaving an enduring story that continues to touch hearts and change lives. Ali shares her deep appreciation on the profound impact that organ donation can have on individuals and their families.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes Toni Celestine, daughter of a donor hero, Director of Career & Testing Services at South Louisiana Community College and co-founder of the Lieutenant Linda Brown Memorial Scholarship. Toni shares heartfelt stories about her mother, a hero that left a legacy through giving life to others through tissue donation. They engage in a meaningful conversation that touches on important topics such as organ and tissue donation, education in multicultural communities and dispelling myths or misconceptions surrounding life-saving donations.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes back Jude Fontenot, Chief Operating Officer of Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital. Jude continues the discussion on the impact of executive leadership in the hospital regarding organ donation, while also highlighting how vital the collaboration with the organ procurement organization team is in building a positive culture and shaping successful initiatives. They emphasize how important systematic support is when provided to families dealing with loss and preserving the opportunity to save the lives of others through donation.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul welcomes Jude Fontenot, Chief Operating Officer of Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital. Jude reflects on his extensive career in healthcare, as a nurse and Critical Care Director for over 20 years, as well as how vital the collaboration between the organ procurement organization and hospital is to positively impact potential donor families and those awaiting transplant.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul rejoins Dr. Jonathan Hand, Section Head of Transplant Infectious Disease at Ochsner Health, and Joey Boudreaux, Senior Director of Regional Operations for LOPA, as they recount the incredible journey that led to the first HIV positive heart that was recovered and transplanted. They provide the intricate details on the collaboration between the medical teams that allowed this unprecedented milestone in transplantation, a gift from a donor hero which ultimately saved the life of someone in need.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul talks with Dr. Jonathan Hand, Section Head of Transplant Infectious Disease at Ochsner Health, and Joey Boudreaux, Senior Director of Regional Operations for LOPA, about the groundbreaking medical advancements in facilitating organ transplants from HIV positive donors to recipients in need. They discuss the evolution of the HIV Organ Policy Equity ACT (HOPE Act) and its impact, along with the initiatives that promote inclusivity in organ donation and transplantation.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul engages in another meaningful conversation with Brena Romero, a registered nurse and neurosurgery nurse practitioner, exploring her expertise in guiding families through the challenges of coping with a loved one's severe brain injury. Brena emphasizes the significance of empathy in establishing connections with families during the sensitive process of end-of-life decision-making. The discussion delves into the crucial collaboration between organ procurement agencies and hospital teams, shedding light on the vital role they play in offering the opportunity to save lives through organ donation.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul visits with Brena Romero, a registered nurse and neurosurgery nurse practitioner, as they discuss how she helps families navigate and understand the severity of a loved one's brain injury. During this discussion, Brena compassionately sheds light on the emotional challenges that families often encounter when confronted with the potential loss associated with a brain injury. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication and empathy in her interactions with families as they face the possibility of end of life decisions.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul visits with Tammy Vincent, a nurse of over 30 years, as she describes her personal journey of waiting for a kidney and pancreas transplant. Tammy highlights how her extensive medical experience has equipped her in preparing for this second chance at life. She openly discusses the hope she holds onto for both her donor hero and their family, who she sincerely wants to honor while spreading the important message about organ donation.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul returns with Dr. Angela Bourg, Family Practice Physician and heart recipient, as she continues sharing her experiences during the transition from a healer to a patient in need of a transplant. Dr. Bourg provides a unique perspective, detailing her journey from being a doctor to receiving the gift of life herself. She is dedicated to honoring her donor hero and being an advocate in spreading the message about the importance of organ donation.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul Harrison talks with Dr. Angela Bourg, Family Practice Physician and heart recipient, as they explore her medical background and her journey to needing a life-saving transplant. She shares her emotional and physical insights of transitioning from a healthcare provider to a patient herself, while awaiting the gift of life.

Show Notes: Shawn-Paul Harrison welcomes back Sean Jordan, President of the Research & Planning Group. Join them as they discuss the transformative power of physician feedback in the organ procurement process. Gain a deeper understanding of the collaboration dynamics, witness the positive impacts on donor families, and explore how this meticulous partnership contributes to the life-saving journey of organ transplantation.