Saturday, January 23, 2021

Forbes interviews Jennifer Erickson on organ donation

 I met Jennifer Erickson when she was at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Obama administration, and helped organize the White House Organ Summit in 2016.

Here's a story about her in Forbes:

Why Ending The Organ Donation Waitlist Can Save Countless Lives And Billions Of Dollars  by Rob Dube

You have no budget,” Jennifer’s boss told her. “What you do have is your desk, a phone, and a period of time where people will take your call. You’re here to hustle. You’re here to make something happen for people around the country.

...

"After speaking with experts, Jennifer chose to focus on ending the waitlist for organ transplants. She was drawn in by the enormous problems within the United States’ current organ donation system. The U.S. has the research, resources, and expertise. Yet, “tens of thousands of organs go unrecovered every year!” says Jennifer. “That’s nuts!”

...

"Once the research was compiled, Jennifer found startling information. She uncovered “really troubling issues with inequality,” Jennifer says. Too often, low-income citizens and people of color were left out-of-loop both as donors and recipients. “Research shows that Black families are less likely to be approached about organ donation, and talked to less about it when they actually are.” 

"And although saving lives is always at the forefront of her mind, Jennifer learned how much money the U.S. could save by ending the organ transplant waitlist. “For every patient who gets a kidney transplant,” Jennifer says, “We save a quarter of a million dollars. 

"Most people care more about saving lives—but what an opportunity to save tens of billions a year while helping Americans at the same time. It’s huge, exciting, and we have every reason to get it right.”

"The conversation with Jennifer Erickson continues on the Leading with Genuine Care podcast. "

HT: Frank McCormick

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Related post:

Monday, January 13, 2020

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