This Thing Called Life

By: Network For Hope
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  • Summary

  • This Thing Called Life is a podcast dedicated to acts of giving, kindness, compassion, and humanity. Host Andi Johnson introduces you to powerful organ, tissue, and eye donation stories from individuals, families, and front-line healthcare teams. These stories are meant to inspire and remind you that while life can be challenging and unpredictable, it’s also incredibly beautiful. We hope this podcast inspires you to connect with our life-saving and life-healing mission.
    Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
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Biographies & Memoirs Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Relationships Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • EP 102: How Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation Helps The Sick and Injured In Our Community

    EP 102: How Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation Helps The Sick and Injured In Our Community
    Nov 27 2024

    Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation. In this episode, we talk with Don Juan from 100.3 FM Cincy's R&B station in Cincinnati.

    Resources

    https://getoffthelist.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

    https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

    https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope.

    https://aopo.org/
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    6 mins
  • EP 101: Heartfelt Care: Dr Bonomo Explains The Vision For A Holistic Donor Care Unit Within The New UCMC ICU

    EP 101: Heartfelt Care: Dr Bonomo Explains The Vision For A Holistic Donor Care Unit Within The New UCMC ICU
    Nov 19 2024
    Welcome to today’s episode of This Thing Called Life, where we delve into the ever-evolving care plan of organ, eye, and tissue donation. In this episode, we’re joined by Andi Johnson and Dr. Jordan Bonomo to explore a key recommendation from the 2021 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report aimed at transforming organ donation and transplantation practices to create a more equitable system. Dr. Bonomo shares insights into a groundbreaking initiative—the establishment of a donor care unit within UCMC’s new Flex ICU. This innovative, first-of-its-kind model is designed to improve organ donation outcomes by providing comprehensive, compassionate care to both donors and their families. Tune in for this important conversation on enhancing the donor experience and advancing the future of organ donation. Episode Highlights: Introducing Dr. Jordan Bonomo. He is a physician at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He's the Medical Director of the flex ICU and a professor of Emergency Medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, and neurocritical care. He is also the attending physician for anesthesia, critical care, and ECMO, and he's the medical director for donor management, for Network For Hope, formerly Life Center. Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity.The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs.Specialized units can focus on the needs of the donor from a physiological standpoint and the needs of the family from an emotional standpoint. This aims to provide a much more synchronized environment and holistic care for the families and adhere to the donor wishes.All the staff are fully trained and they're vetted and vested at the same time in the process of donation. The purpose is to have the best donor care unit available anywhere in the country.The unit is staffed 24/7 by dedicated teams to support the mission of Network for Hope.The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. Note that in the month of October, the first month of the launch of Flex ICU, there were zero patients declared brain dead in the region.Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed.The Flex ICU aims to respect the wishes of donors and families, facilitating their involvement in the donation process.Dr. Bonomo discusses the potential impact of the Flex ICU on organ donationThe goal is to optimize the process for donors, families, and organ recipients, balancing the need for timely transplantation with the potential for increased donation.Andi adds that the DCU, which is housed within the flex ICU, has been discussed as a key part of the flex ICU with providers, nurses, and physicians who will be working in this unit.The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role.The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation.The process of establishing the unit has been lengthy, involving multiple stakeholders and legal considerations. He shares that this is an organ procurement organization initiative that really is somewhat independent of the healthcare system.The belief that donation can bring healing and good from tragedy has been a driving force for Dr. Bonomo. Dr. Bonomo has a strong foundation in bioethics, having earned his undergraduate degree in the field. Throughout his career, organ donation has been a central focus of his work in biomedical ethics.Dr. Bonomo invites listeners to ask questions and seek education about the organ donation process.The importance of accurate information and understanding the process is important for effective collaboration and support. 3 Key Points: Dr. Bonomo explains the long-term development of the Flex ICU, emphasizing its multifaceted purpose to serve critically ill patients and enhance organ donation capacity. The Flex ICU aims to provide specialized care for organ donors, improving the yield and survival rate of donated organs.The unit is limited to donors who have been declared dead by neurologic criteria. So brain dead donors, and brain dead vernacular term death by neurologic criteria. Dr. Bonomo explains the intentional design of the unit to accommodate donor families, offering them the option to be with their loved ones or to step back as needed.The Flex ICU has attracted dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving organ donation and transplantation. The team is committed to doing right by donors, recognizing the privilege and obligation that comes with their role. Tweetable Quotes: “Dr shutter explained to me that we do our best to ...
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    29 mins
  • EP 100: Network For Hope Community Breakfast - An Annual Event Celebrating Those Impacted By, And Community Advocates For, Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation

    EP 100: Network For Hope Community Breakfast - An Annual Event Celebrating Those Impacted By, And Community Advocates For, Organ, Tissue & Eye Donation
    Nov 12 2024

    Community Heroes is a special extension of This Thing Called Life’s podcast. In this series, we talk to community leaders, share important information about organ and tissue donation, and honor those who have been instrumental in saving lives through the gift of donation. In this episode, we talk with Lincoln Ware from WDBZ the Buzz of Cincinnati talk station.

    Resources:

    https://getoffthelist.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/

    https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/

    https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO

    https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkforHope.

    https://aopo.org/
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    5 mins

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