For Tara Zobrist, the decision to work for Mid-America Transplant was a way for her to honor her brother’s legacy. Her only brother, Cody, passed away in a car accident in January 2009 and was a tissue donor who helped save countless lives through his generosity. “It all kind of came full circle for me, because I myself, am a donor family,” she says.
As an Aftercare Coordinator for Mid-America Transplant, Tara has the privilege of caring for donor families after their loved one has donated organs and/or tissues. Her experience with losing her brother means she’s been in the same shoes as the families she works with. “I get to help families just like mine and say that I literally understand what they are going through, which helps my work,” she says. “That is the heart behind what I do and what brought me to Mid- America Transplant.”
What makes Mid-America Transplant a top workplace?
The overall mission of Mid-America Transplant is to save lives through excellence in organ and tissue donation. That mission is a large part of the reason Mid America Transplant was recognized as a 2021 top workplace by the St. Louis Post Dispatch and why Zobrist has worked there for eight years. “I would still love the mission,” she says. “Even if it wasn’t part of my life’s mission, as far as honoring my brother and making sure he’s not forgotten, I would want to be working at Mid-America Transplant.”
According to Top Workplaces, earning the designation means employees feel valued and as though their voices have been heard. Zobrist says feeling valued is her favorite aspect of working for Mid-America Transplant because they help create a safe space for donor families to heal. Mid-America has welcomed thousands of donor families into their doors for candlelight memorials, stone decorating workshops, or for the annual Celebrate Life 5K, which has grown to more than 4,000 people in attendance. “It’s really about the families coming together and getting to know other people walking in their shoes, and us being able to comfort them and honor their loved one in a public space,” Zobrist says.
“They just want to come and be around other people who understand the journey that they’re on. They can see a photo of their loved one and it’s a safe space for them to be able to talk about and remember them. Creating those safe spaces is really my favorite part of working for Mid-America.”
Why should you work for Mid-America Transplant?
As an employee of Mid-America Transplant, you’ll do work that matters. You’ll join an inspired, innovative team working to ensure that organs and tissues are always available to those in need. You’ll also be rewarded with these benefits:
- Be there for patients and families: You’ll get to work with families who are coping with the loss of a loved one. In addition, you will support transplant patients by providing resources to make life for those on the waiting list a little bit easier.
- Build a healthier community: From educating the community about registration to supporting research efforts in hopes of reducing the need for organ and tissue transplants, you’ll remain committed to saving lives through donation.
- Join a lifesaving team: Team members serve on the front lines of donation, treating donors and donor families with compassion and working to deliver the safest possible organs and tissues for transplant.
“They bring people together and it’s nice to be mission-driven and to feel cared about. That’s the kind of atmosphere that Mid-America has. It’s awesome,” Zobrist added.
Join the Mid-America Transplant Mission
When Zobrist is asked whether she would recommend Mid-America Transplant as a great place to work, she doesn’t hesitate in answering yes. “My main goal is to help families know their loved one is not forgotten and is honored for the rest of time,” she says. “My brother is the reason I do what I do.”
Consider joining an organization committed to a lifesaving mission and find a rewarding career with Mid-America Transplant. View our current job openings.