2021 Donation Healthcare Hero - Luci Pham
Occupation: Advance Practice Coordinator
Age and Location: Age 39 – Oklahoma City, OK
Sponsor: Honored by LifeShare Transplant Donors Services of OK
HONORED BECAUSE
Luci Pham began work as an Organ Recovery Coordinator at LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of OK in November of 2016. Since then, she has moved into an Advance Practice Coordinator position and grown an even bigger passion for donation. She enjoys the aspect of her work that allows the donor's families and friends a form of closure from a tragic situation. The recipient families, friends and colleagues who have more days or years with their loved ones is why she loves her chosen career.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Luci has helped the organ recovery team and LifeShare navigate uncharted territory while still focusing on our core purpose of saving lives. Her positive, can-do attitude and her willingness to think outside the box provided leadership and direction for our team to make organ donation possible.
BIOGRAPHY
Luci Pham, of Oklahoma City, has always been fascinated by science. Originally wanting to be a marine biologist, she realized her fear of open water would hinder her from succeeding in the field. She decided to pursue a career in respiratory therapy and worked four years at a hospital. One day while working, she encountered a LifeShare staff member who explained donation to her. It was fascinating to her and made an impression on her work life.
Luci has worked at LifeShare since November 2016 when she started as an Organ Recovery Coordinator. She is now an Advance Practice Coordinator, taking administrator calls and performing special procedures as needed. She is passionate about the mission of LifeShare, exemplifies a can-do attitude even when the job gets tough and cares about her teammates and donation community. For Luci, working at LifeShare is not only a meaningful career, but also a calling to be a part of an organization that is much bigger than could be held in a building.
Since working as an Organ Recovery Coordinator at LifeShare, she has grown an even bigger passion for donation and enjoys the aspect of her work that allows the donor's families and friends a form of closure from a tragic situation. The recipient families, friends and colleagues who have more days or years with their loved ones is why she loves her chosen career.
One of Luci's memorable moments at work was when she experienced a tough and tragic situation with a pediatric donor. In that case, there was not a dry eye in the room as all recovery staff and transplant surgeons were impacted by the situation. They were able to recover a tiny heart which saved another child's life. Luci grieved for the donor's family as they navigated the waters without their child. Shortly after the recovery, the transplant surgeon was able to send a video of the heart beating in the recipient's chest.