Society for Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
January 28 – February 1, 2012

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting

San Francisco, Ca
February 7-11, 2012

Focus on Innovation:

Employee Spotlight-Robin Cowherd, Director, Donor Family Services

What began 13 years ago as a part-time job and a professional transition has become a full-time passion for Robin Cowherd. Supporting and honoring donor families is at the heart of Cowherd's work as Director of Donor Family Services at LifeNet Health. The department was created out of the need to build a more comprehensive grief support program for donor families beyond the hospital walls.

"Without the compassionate decisions of donor families, we would not be able to do our work of saving lives and restoring health," says Cowherd. "LifeNet Health demonstrates a tremendous commitment throughout the organization – from leadership to the front lines – to supporting donor families in every possible way. Many organizations talk about wanting to provide this kind of support, but LifeNet Health backs it up with resources and staffing and a true commitment."

Robin Cowherd, Director, Donor Family Services

LL: What led you to work at LifeNet Health?
RC: Well, it was more of a calling than a career move, to be honest. At the time, I had left my corporate H.R. position and was a stay-at-home dad. I began working in a volunteer capacity through my church in a program called Stephen Ministry, which taught me how to help others who are going through difficult times. When the position at LifeNet became available, it was a perfect fit – allowing me to use my background in program development and my ministry skills while still being home part time for my kids.

LL: Tell us about some of the innovative programs at Donor Family Services.
RC: The Grief Companions program is an incredible resource. We've trained 50 donor family members to partner with new donor families and help them through the process. When you've lost a loved one, it's tremendously valuable to have someone who has "been there" before and relates to your feelings.

We also introduced a new program ("Being There" Grief and Loss Training) in which critical care nurses are trained in grief and loss so they can provide more immediate support for family members. And we continue to offer a wide range of services for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one through our website, www.HealingTheSpirit.org.

LL: What do you enjoy most about your job?
RC: The privilege of seeing a family at the beginning of a grief journey and watching the progress they make and knowing that we played a small role in that healing journey. I get a sense of hope when I witness the way donor families, recipients and staff support one another. It's rewarding for me to know that in the midst of troubling times and difficult life experiences there are incredibly compassionate people in this world who want to help others.

Tree of Remembrance Ceremony Honors Donors

Have you ever received a hand-made tree ornament? Perhaps a little craft made at school bearing a child's photo? The most precious ornaments are the ones we create ourselves – the ones we pour our heart into and hang on the tree with pride or nostalgia. This is one of the things that makes the annual Tree of Remembrance Ceremony at LifeNet Health so meaningful – the ornaments are made with love by donor families, recipients and LifeNet Health staff.

Over the past few years, hundreds of ornaments have been placed lovingly on the holiday trees during this special ceremony. Family members design and bring an ornament that represents a loved one and present it to the group as a way of honoring their loved one. Each one sparkles with a unique tribute – from sports themes to treasured photos.

Tree lighting ceremony.

The LifeNet Health Tree of Remembrance Ceremony was held December 6, 2011 at LifeNet Health's corporate office in Virginia Beach. More than 200 people were in attendance including donor families and transplant recipients from throughout the Hampton Roads region.

"The ceremony is a very powerful experience, not only for families but also for staff," says Robin Cowherd, Director of Donor Family Services. "Regardless of faith or religion, the holidays are an especially difficult time for anyone experiencing grief or loss. It takes a lot of courage for some people to attend, but we show them how they can celebrate their loved one in a meaningful way."

The ceremony also featured holiday music, a reception and a display of personalized luminaries that lined the path to the Memorial Garden.