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Jeff grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, before spending more than two decades in Nebraska. When he returned to Phoenix in 2017, he brought with him a personal experience that would define both his life and his career: being a kidney donor for his younger brother.
“I feel that it is a blessing and a unique privilege to have my personal experience and work be so intertwined,” shared Jeff.
That experience - navigating evaluation, surgery and recovery - not only changed his brother’s life but clarified Jeff’s own path. Today, he brings that lived understanding to his role as a Living Donor Nurse Coordinator at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, supporting others who are considering the same life-changing decision.
What does your role at Living Donor Nurse Coordinator involve?
As a nurse coordinator, I work with patients from the initial phone call, through evaluation, and if approved, coordinating surgery and post-donation follow-up.
Can you share a bit about your personal connection to donation?
In 2013, my younger brother was diagnosed with kidney disease and began dialysis. He asked my other brothers and me if we would be willing to be a living donor for him. I was a match. At the time of my donation, I was working as a registered nurse on a cardiac unit.
It was through my very positive experience of being a donor here at Mayo Clinic in Arizona that I was drawn to pursue a career as a Transplant Nurse Coordinator.
How does that personal connection influence how you approach your work each day?
Having been through the evaluation process and surgery myself, I’m able to relate to what donors are experiencing and feeling. My goal is for every donor to have a positive experience.
What do you wish more people understood about living donation?
Being a donor is a wonderful opportunity to greatly improve someone else’s quality of life. While the process can take time, it is absolutely worth it.
Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending his time with family and friends. He enjoys food and music, volunteers at his church as a greeter and host, and especially treasures his role as an “uncle” to his best friend’s children — a relationship that began years ago in nursing school.
About Faces of Compassion
Faces of Compassion is a monthly series highlighting members of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center team who are personally connected to organ, eye and tissue donation or transplantation. Through their stories, we honor the compassion and lived experience that inform the care our transplant teams provide every day.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Learn more about our discussion group at Mayo Clinic Connect
- Explore Mayo’s Transplant Center.
- Request an appointment.
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