Tissue Reorganization Helps More Families; Donors Triple
Tissue recoveries at Lifesharing in San Diego have nearly tripled following a major reorganization for the decades-old tissue bank originally formed to support the region’s only burn center. The changes and staff growth occur just as the program has moved in to an expanded surgical suite at the new Medical Examiner’s office complex in San Diego.
“Our results have been outstanding. I am very proud of our staff and greatly appreciate our continuing excellent relationships with our partners,” said Lifesharing Executive Director Lisa Stocks, who oversees both the OPO’s organ and tissue efforts. "It is wonderful to know our efforts will help even more families through the gift of tissue.”
During 2009, Lifesharing’s Tissue Bank recovered 630 donors coordinated by nine career employees. “When I arrived at Lifesharing in 2003, we recovered a little more than 200 tissue donors per year.” Stocks said. “This past year we have had as many as seven donors in a single day. Our highest month to date under our new structure currently is 62 donors, which was possible only with the flexible assistance of our well-trained 13 per diem employees.”
Changes at Lifesharing’s tissue bank focused on job specialization including family services, recovery, record review, and rigorous quality assurance to expedite chart release. A new tissue business development staff now works within Lifesharing's 28 hospitals. Specialists also do community outreach to increase tissue referrals from Lifesharing’s 28 hospitals, and from funeral homes, skilled nursing facilities and hospices.
“To ensure coverage and high quality standards, we have implemented a comprehensive training program and cross-train teams,” Stocks said. “Management roles also have been expanded to meet needs. Keith and Harry work in partnership with me to ensure that all aspects of our Tissue Bank services are working smoothly.”
Keith Larson: Tissue Bank Manager
 Keith Larson, CTBS, CEBT, has joined Lifesharing team as the Tissue Bank Manager. He manages all personnel, policy, and training aspects of recovery services at Lifesharing Tissue Bank. Keith has extensive, long term experience in the fields of organ and tissue donation as well as funeral services.
Most recently, Keith was one of the Donor Services Technical Trainer for the Joint Restoration Foundation (JRF) program at AlloSource. Previously, he was the Director of Tissue/Eye Recovery at Nevada Organ Donor Network as well as Organ Bank Surgical Coordinator. He also served as the Office Manager for the Mile High Transplant Bank/Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank branch office in Colorado Springs, CO. Keith began his career at Forest Lawn Mortuary as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. He is a graduate of Cypress Mortuary College and currently holds the CTBS and CEBT certifications, as well as the Funeral Directors National Board license.
He and his wife Beth are recent first-time grandparents. In their spare time, they enjoy the San Diego beach after escaping than the hot summers in Henderson, NV.
Harry Celestin: Tissue Bank Operations
 Harry Celestin, CTBS, CEBT, has worked for Lifesharing for nearly 10 years and now has taken on the title of Tissue Bank Operations Manager. His area of responsibility encompasses all Tissue Bank Plant operations at Lifesharing’s Tissue Bank and Recovery Suite, Supply Management for the Tissue Bank and Medical Examiner’s office, Auto Graft processing, Auto Graft outreach and development, and tissue distribution. Additionally, he is responsible for the management of chart clearing, and liaison with the Processors to ensure that charts are cleared based on preset time guidelines, and ensuring that we are reimbursed appropriately.
Harry will continue to serve as Administrator on Call and provide expert oversight of the donation process. In this role, Harry will supervise the Tissue Chart staff as well as the staff at the Tissue Bank. Lifesharing’s parent organization, UCSD Medical Center, also has called upon Harry’s experience by asking him to coordinate all tissue issues for The Joint Commission.
Harry and his wife Monique have three sons.
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Lifesharing Hospital Development Manager Ramesh Sivagnanam has been promoted to Family & Financial Services Manager. In this new role, Ramesh will provide the day-to-day oversight of the organ and tissue family services staffs and finance team. He ensures staffing and on call coverage, project management oversight, performance management, hiring decisions, and policy development and oversight for the departments. Ramesh will continue to provide Hospital Development Services to Rady Children’s Hospital, the region’s pediatric trauma and transplant center.
Lifesharing Quality Assurance and Operations Manager Yesenia D. Mora, LSSBB, has completed the intense Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Quality Certification through the University of California at San Diego, Lifesharing’s parent organization. The 3-month course included a weekly 8-hour class on Fridays and required submission of a major project developed in conjunction with Lifesharing.
