Transplantation is a unique field in medicine, relying on the generous decision by a living donor, deceased donor and their family to give someone else the gift of life, so when it comes to remembering who made it possible, our thoughts are invariably of the donor and their sacrifice.
However ask any recipient what they remember about the transplant and is often the care provided to them by their nurse, physician or surgeon. Those relationships are life-long and the regular trip to transplant clinic is extremely valued.
The Transplant Society of Australia and New Zealand is now giving recipients the opportunity to nominate a clinician who they believe has demonstrated excellence in patient care in transplantation – by putting their patients and families first, involving patients in care, communicating effectively and providing compassionate and empathetic care.
Transplant Australia is pleased to support this new Award, the TSANZ Aviva Rosenfeld Award for Excellence in Patient Care in Transplantation. Aviva was the Executive Officer of the TSANZ from 1996 to 2015 and a delightful, quietly-spoken and professional executive.
Transplant Australia has a close relationship with the TSANZ and is pleased to have presented the Marks Cocks Transplant Research Scholarship for the last 10 years. It has funded vital research into a wide variety of clinical issues affecting transplant recipients.
This new Award is open to any clinician, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, psychologists, social workers and other allied health professionals who provide care to patients and families in transplantation.
I am pleased the TSANZ has me to be on the judging panel while I have also nominated Brooke Huuskes, our Victorian Chair, and kidney recipient to be the patient representative.
I would like to encourage all of our members to think back to someone who went above and beyond the normal clinician-patient relationship and really helped you through your transplant journey.
The reality is that as our donation rate increases in Australia, more pressure is placed on the staff in our transplant units. Transplantation is not a ‘nine-to-five’ job with many transplant occurring in the middle of the night. The surgeons and nurses who make it happen are truly marvellous. The physicians that prepare you for the transplant and the allied staff such as physios and dietitians who help post-transplant, all deserve our thanks and recognition.
There’s a simple nomination form which can be downloaded by clicking here, and recipients, donors and donor families are all welcome to make a nomination. The deadline is Friday, April 13.
Chris Thomas,
CEO, Transplant Australia
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