Meet the Expert: Mary Ruff, RN, CCTC

2 days ago | Kristin Eggebraaten | @keggebraaten

One of the highlights of this blog is that we can introduce you to our dedicated staff. The people who work in transplant are special, not just because of their advanced training and knowledge, but because they go above and beyond every single day for our patients. They not only care about our current patients, but they learn from our past patients, and they look to the future to advance the care of all the patients who are yet to come.

Today we would like to introduce you to Mary Ruff. Mary is an RN Care Coordinator in our Transplant Center at Mayo Clinic Florida. In this interview, you will see how dedicated Mary is and how deeply she cares about the work she does.

Why did you choose this area of expertise? How did you get into transplant nursing?

I fell into transplant by way of my first job out of nursing school back in 1997. I had zero experience coming out of school because I was initially pursuing an accounting degree, but deep down I always had this urge to be a nurse, so I threw caution to the wind and changed my major. The nurse manager who hired me on a kidney transplant unit told me she was going to take a chance on me, and I am so thankful she did because once I got a taste of transplant, I have never wanted to do anything else.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing?

Honestly, it’s difficult to imagine myself doing any other job because I love what I do so much. However, I do have an affinity towards the elderly population, and if I was not able to do this job and not ready to retire, I think I would move towards Geriatrics. I know is quite different than transplant, but I believe my overall purpose in nursing is to serve others in need and so, wherever I felt I could do that best is where I would want to be.

Tell us about your team and its impact to patients.

I work with the best team in the world! I honestly am so grateful to be a part of this awesome group of professionals who dedicate their time and energy every day making sure our patients have everything they need to improve their health and quality of life. Our mission is not just to meet their needs but to exceed their expectations because many of our patients come to us knowing they are not going to survive without a lifesaving transplant. No matter what barriers we encounter, we fight to overcome them and make transplant a reality. Our team, from schedulers to surgeons, are dedicated to walking alongside our patients and their loved ones, giving them the support they need to keep going and providing the best experience despite the circumstances. We also support one another constantly because let’s face it, this is a 24/7 endeavor, and we could never do it alone.

What is your best general advice for patients about to embark on the transplant process?

We understand the thought of needing a transplant to survive. The process to assess whether transplant is a safe option can be physically and mentally overwhelming, but we will be here for you every step of the way. You will be surrounded by a team of experts who care and understand what you need to get through the process. Also, communication is key to getting through it all without added stress, so if you are not clear about something, please let us know.

Describe one of your favorite or most rewarding clinical experiences.

There are so many, but one that comes to mind occurred a few years ago. One of my younger patients with cystic fibrosis facing the need for a second lung transplant was going through a personal struggle regarding whether she had the mental and physical strength to get through another major surgery. She decided she was just too tired from being so sick and would rather give someone else the chance to receive the gift of life.

Thankfully, she had a young daughter who gave her the clarity and strength to fight at the very last minute. The team came together for an expedited evaluation in the hospital, and she was placed on the list.

She is now several years post re-transplant and her daughter is now in college. She is one of those people in life who makes our world a better place just by being here, and I am so blessed to know her. She is not only a joy, but a living testament to the miracle of transplant that makes me know I am where I belong.

Are you involved in research? If so, what are you studying? (Only general information can be given here, no study names, no enrollment recruitment, no results that have not yet been vetted or published.)

We are constantly looking for opportunities to improve our approach to transplant and to better serve our patients through education and a deeper understanding of their needs and desires to make informed decisions surrounding their healthcare. Currently, we are studying new ways in which we can provide the necessary education to our patients regarding lung transplant and the evaluation process more consistently and efficiently and developing a new approach involving a virtual group education class. The goal is to provide patients and their caregivers the right tools that will allow for meaningful discussions when we meet them in clinic for the first time.

What do you think are some of the most influential trends or findings in transplant nursing or nursing in general?

So much has changed in all aspects of nursing in the last 25 years since my career began, but a couple things that stand out are the integral role in society that nurses have played in achieving and maintaining the health and quality of life in communities. Technology has evolved so we don’t have to spend so much time documenting everything we do, in turn, giving us more time to actually be with our patients and giving them that human connection they really need.

In your opinion, what sets Mayo Clinic care apart from other transplant centers? What will patients find at Mayo Clinic that they may not be able to get elsewhere?

I have been with Mayo Clinic since 2002 and there is a reason I have stayed so long. There is no other place that comes close to the way I want to be able to provide care to my patients, in an atmosphere and culture of mutual respect and genuine care for everyone, where all actions and goals are derived through our mission of the “needs of the patient come first”. We are not perfect, but I can honestly say we care and do our very best every day to show our patients we are going to do everything we can to improve their health and get them to a better place where they can be happy again concentrating on the things in life they love.

I also hear from our patients who come to us after their experience at other centers. First, they tell me they can “feel” that we are different in the way we interact with them along with the attention to detail and personal touch that allows them to place their full trust in us no matter the outcome.

What are your interests or passions outside of work?

I spend all my extra time with my family, working out (when I can find the time and energy), watching shows on TV w/ my husband and sister, teaching Sunday School, gardening, reading and sleeping, pretty much in that order.

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