At the heart of Mid-America Transplant’s lifesaving mission are compassionate professionals who help navigate families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Dan, a Triage Coordinator in Donor Services, is one of those people. His role is more than just logistics and medical coordination, it’s about honoring donors, supporting their loved ones, and ensuring that every gift of life is handled with dignity and care.
From Emergency Response to Donation Advocacy
Before joining Mid-America Transplant, Dan worked as an EMT and paramedic, roles that prepared him in unexpected ways for his current position. His background in emergency medicine gave him a strong foundation in medical terminology, fast decision-making, and reading people’s emotions, even over the phone.
“My job as a paramedic required me to pick up on social cues and body language,” Dan said. “Now, I do that through phone conversations with families who are grieving. Understanding what they’re going through helps me navigate those discussions with empathy and care.”
While he had experience in the medical field, Dan admits that he didn’t have a deep understanding of the donation process before coming to Mid-America Transplant. That quickly changed.
“It’s really reinforced my beliefs in organ and tissue donation,” he says. “Now, I see firsthand how it changes lives. I even have a friend on the transplant list waiting for a kidney. Knowing what goes into the process and how many people are waiting makes the work we do even more meaningful.”
Providing Support When Families Need It Most
As a triage coordinator, Dan plays a crucial role in facilitating the donation process. He and his team work directly with donor families, hospitals, and funeral homes to ensure that every step is handled smoothly.
“We try to take as much of the burden off the families as we can,” he says. “They’re already dealing with so much. If we can make this process easier for them while also honoring their loved one’s decision to be a donor, that’s our goal.”
One of the challenges Dan faces is helping families who may not have known their loved one was a registered donor.
“Some families don’t even realize their loved one had signed up,” he explains. “That can bring a mix of emotions: grief, confusion, sometimes even anger. But ultimately, we’re here to support them and help them find a silver lining in knowing that their loved one is helping others.”
A Passion for Outreach and Education
Beyond his daily responsibilities, Dan enjoys participating in community events that raise awareness about organ donation. One of his favorite experiences has been working at the Donate Life Day at Busch Stadium, where he gets to combine his love of baseball with his passion for donation advocacy.
“The last two years, we’ve hit record numbers for new donor registrations at the event,” Dan says. “I even joked with our CEO that we were going to beat the previous year’s total, and we did! Seeing people come forward to register and share their own donation stories is incredibly rewarding.”
Dan—in the back row, on the right—represents Mid-America Transplant at a donor registry booth at Busch Stadium.
Events like Donate Life Day are a way to see firsthand the impact of the mission. “You get to see and feel all the love that flows through the gift of organ donation,” he continued. “If that doesn’t put a smile on your face, I don’t know what would.”
These outreach efforts remind Dan why he loves working at Mid-America Transplant. “It’s not just a job, it’s a mission,” he says. “The organization does an amazing job of making sure every employee knows how vital they are to the work we do. Whether you’ve been here one day or 25 years, you’re part of the family.”
A Career That Truly Makes a Difference
For anyone considering a career at Mid-America Transplant, Dan has one simple piece of advice: “If you want to make a difference, this is the place to do it.”
“The environment here is welcoming, supportive, and truly mission-driven,” he says. “You get to be part of something bigger than yourself, something that saves lives and brings comfort to families. It really is a rewarding thing to be a part of.”
Dan’s journey from emergency response to donation advocacy is a testament to the impact one person can have in the lives of many. His dedication to supporting families and furthering the mission of Mid-America Transplant is a powerful reminder that behind every donation, there’s a story of hope and generosity.
If you feel a calling toward organ donation, consider joining an organization committed to a lifesaving mission and find a rewarding career with Mid-America Transplant. View our current job openings.