Faces of Compassion: Margaret Umprovitch-Brown

Margaret has worked as an outpatient kidney transplant social worker at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, for more than 12 years. During that time, she has walked alongside countless patients navigating evaluation, transplant and recovery. But her connection to transplant care became deeply personal when her husband, Terry, developed kidney failure and required dialysis.

What followed was a season of uncertainty for their family — one that gave Margaret an even deeper understanding of the emotional journey her patients face every day.

What drew you to a career tied to transplant?
I was drawn to transplant because it offers a distinct sense of hope. It’s one of the few areas in healthcare where you get to see people receive a second chance at life. The work is complex — medically, emotionally and ethically — but it allows me to be part of something that truly helps people move forward.

Can you share your personal connection to donation and transplantation?
My connection became very real when my husband, Terry, developed a medical condition that eventually damaged his kidneys enough to require dialysis. That shift was difficult for him and for our entire family. We suddenly had to navigate the emotional and financial strain that comes with kidney failure.

The bright spot during that time was a friend and former co-worker who chose to become a living donor. Her generosity helped Terry receive his transplant sooner, which was an incredible relief. It showed me just how supportive this transplant community can be.

How does that personal connection influence how you approach your work each day?
Going through that experience helps me remember that every patient is dealing with their own unique situation. Since I’ve felt some of that same fear and uncertainty, I try to bring added understanding to my role. It makes me want to advocate even more strongly for my patients and help them navigate the emotional side of transplant because I know how much it matters to have someone walking alongside you.

What do you wish more people understood about donation and transplantation?
I think people sometimes miss the ripple effect donation has. It’s not just about the surgery, it’s about helping families regain a sense of normalcy and giving them a future they were worried they might not have.

I also wish more people understood how thoughtful and careful the process is. There is a tremendous amount of work happening behind the scenes to ensure donation and transplantation are ethical and safe for everyone involved.

What moment in your career confirmed you were exactly where you were meant to be?
There isn’t just one moment, but it always means a lot when a patient tells me, “You made this seem possible.” Knowing I helped someone move from feeling scared to feeling hopeful reminds me that I’m in the right place.

My own experience with Terry — and seeing what our friend did for our family — reinforces how important good support truly is.

Margaret describes transplant care as a true team effort — one built on compassion, collaboration and commitment to patients and families.

For her, the work is a daily reminder that hope is not just a concept in transplant care, it’s something made possible by generosity, advocacy and people willing to stand beside one another in difficult moments.

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.