At Mid-America Transplant, the mission is clear: to save lives through excellence in organ and tissue donation. This purpose is not just a statement but a daily commitment that guides every action and decision within the organization. Central to this commitment are six core values: Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Compassion, Stewardship, and Excellence, which serve as the foundation for our work and culture.
But our core values aren’t just ideals on paper; they are embodied in the actions, stories, and voices of our team members. Here’s what it looks like to live our values, from the inside out.
Compassion: Meeting People Where They Are
Compassion is demonstrated by recognizing the needs of others and extending empathy, kindness, and generosity. It’s also the foundation of our work. It guides the way we support grieving families and communicate with transplant recipients. For Triage Coordinator Dan, compassion means showing up for families in some of their hardest moments so that they feel supported and valued throughout the donation process.
“Some families don’t even realize their loved one had signed up [as a donor],” Dan says. “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.”
This empathy allows our staff to gently navigate high-stakes, emotional situations with respect and care.
Excellence: Going Beyond What’s Expected
Mid-America Transplant’s commitment to excellence is evident in every phase of the organ and tissue donation process. To embody excellence, employees make a conscious effort to be intentional, precise, and committed to delivering the highest quality in everything they do. That’s true whether it’s in surgery, communications, or logistics.
Tissue and Ocular Procurement Coordinator (TOPC) Brittney sees excellence not just in the speed or accuracy of her work, but in the ability to make the most of every donor’s gift.
“I’ve seen skin grafts save someone’s life. I’ve seen us be able to give someone a last chance at dialysis access so they don’t have to give up. That perspective makes donation that much more beautiful because you get to see how it’s going to help somebody.”
Our teams are trained, equipped, and supported to rise to every challenge because the people we serve deserve our very best.
Integrity: Doing the Right Thing, Even When It’s Hard
We honor the trust placed in us by donor families, recipients, and medical partners. That means holding ourselves to the highest ethical standards and being transparent, reliable, and accountable. We ensure that every stakeholder, from donor families to medical partners, is treated with dignity and transparency.
“Even with something like an honor walk,” Dan continues, “It’s another way we show respect for the donors and acknowledge the incredible gift they’re giving.”
By fostering an environment of trust, the organization builds strong relationships that are essential for its lifesaving mission. Whether visible or behind the scenes, every step we take is about doing what’s right for the people and communities we serve.
Honor Walk: Employees line the halls in a moment of silence to honor an organ donor on their way to give the gift of life
Collaboration: Working Together for Something Bigger
None of this work happens alone. Mid-America Transplant works closely with hospitals, medical professionals, and community partners to ensure that every family wishing to donate has the opportunity to do so. This collaborative approach enhances the effectiveness and reach of all services, ultimately leading to more lives saved.
The work is rooted in a shared passion for helping others. For some, that passion is professional. For others, it’s deeply personal.
“My sister’s journey as a transplant recipient changed our entire family,” says Communications Coordinator Deb. “It’s one thing to know about donation and quite another to live it. That experience made me more passionate about communicating the importance of this cause.”
Every handoff, every decision, every conversation is part of the greater whole: a team effort that saves lives and uplifts grieving families.
Innovation: Challenging the Status Quo
Innovation involves challenging the status quo to create something new or better. By adopting the Baldrige Excellence Framework in 2003, Mid-America Transplant committed to continuous improvement. Between 2003 and 2022, these guidelines helped us improve our processes and outcomes to increase the number of lifesaving organs transplanted by 153 percent and increase the impact of tissue donation by 340 percent.
In 2021, we were named a two-time Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient. Mid-America Transplant was the first organ procurement organization in the world to be recognized with this prestigious honor in 2015.
Brittney speaks of being particularly moved by the advancements in tissue recovery and grafting. “Seeing constant changes and adaptations to maximize each donor’s gift is hugely rewarding,” she shares. “One healthy donor can impact a countless number of people.”
In 2021, we were named a two-time Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient.
Stewardship: Honoring the Gift of Donation
Stewardship is about honoring every donor’s gift with care, respect, and responsibility. It means treating each opportunity to save a life as sacred and ensuring that our processes, resources, and actions reflect that trust.
“I absolutely love it here,” Brittney says. “It’s everything I hoped it would be and then some because it’s just such a rewarding environment. The work we do here changes lives, not just for recipients, but for their families and communities as well.”
Whether through precise recovery procedures, thoughtful family interactions, or long-term community education, our team takes seriously the responsibility we hold. Stewardship is at the heart of how we serve: mindfully, meaningfully, and always with the donor and their legacy in mind.
Working for Mid-America Transplant is More Than a Job
At Mid-America Transplant, this work is not just a job. It’s a mission. A calling. A reason to give our best every day.
Or as Dan puts it, “If you want to make a difference, this is the place to do it.”
“It was the mission and vision that drew me here,” Deb added. “But it has been the values that made me excited to work with such incredible people who believe in them just as much as I do.”
Mid-America Transplant’s core values are not just words on a page; they are principles that are lived out by the people who work here each day. By keeping the mission and values at the heart of everything we do, the organization continues to make a profound impact, bringing hope and healing to countless individuals and families.
Honor the gift of life by registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor today. When you say yes to donation, you’re living out the values of compassion, hope, and stewardship and potentially making a lasting impact for generations to come.