|
I had a wonderful opportunity to study at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Liver and GI Transplant Program with the help of the Japan-U.S. Fulbright Exchange Program in journalism for 2005-2006. My host institutions, Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital are among the largest transplant centers in the United States. The Fulbright Visiting Scholar grant gave me the opportunity to conduct research on the transplant system and role of the transplant coordinator in the United States.
I received some basic information about transplant systems and received hands-on experience at the hospitals and Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, formerly known as the Organ Procurement Organization. I also observed the activities of doctors, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, child life specialists, etc. I was fortunate to observe many organ transplants and procurement operations in the various operating rooms. Unfortunately, some end-stage patients, including children, die before the organ transplants can be performed.
 |
One of highlights of my research was my involvement and participation in the annual charity calendar project. The project included the hospital staff, patients and their family members. The purpose of this charity calendar project is to support the patient’s family members. Proceeds from the charity project are used for the family members who have lost their loved ones. The project is managed by Dr. Tomoaki Kato, an associate professor at the University of Miami and The Transplant Foundation, Inc.
The Holz Children Hospital was chosen as the site for the fund-raising project. Twenty-four children and infants were chosen as models. My photography skills as a journalist were put to use by taking pictures of the children for the project. My colleague, Mary Campos, handled the design. Dr. Recardo Queiro negotiated with a printing company and the free-of-charge printing fees for 1,000 copies for the calendars.
After printing the calendars, we saw the children and infants smiling bright smiles every month. The hospital staff and the Transplant Foundation cooperated in selling the calendars at $15 per calendar. Fortunately, the fund-raising project was a great success. All copies were sold, and we were able to achieve our goal of raising a total sum of $15,000. I am delighted that I was directly involved in this project. It gave me great satisfaction to be able to make a contribution to American society and to the families of the transplant patients.
The hospital staff called organ transplant recipients survivors and fighters, because the recipients are “fighting for their life” even with all the medical attention they receive. These words left me with a strong impression of how incredible it was to see cheerful, warmhearted and bright smiles throughout the pages of the calendar.
Please contact
us if you would like to submit your own story
and/or photographs.
"International education
exchange is the most significant current project
designed to continue the process of humanizing
mankind to the point, we would hope, that
nations can learn to live in peace"
--J. William Fulbright |
|
