Midwest Transplant Network’s website is a vital tool to support our mission and enhance awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation. It is a dedicated space to share the stories of our donor heroes, transplant recipients and partners who bring hope and healing to our community.
The new website was designed with our users in mind. MTN implemented research and focus group feedback to better connect with donor families, recipients, healthcare partners and volunteers.
What can you expect from the new website?
• An enhanced user experience and navigation
• Improved ADA accessibility
• A mobile-friendly design
• Content written in plain language to support health literacy
• Improved representation of the communities we serve through faces, voices and stories
• Modern digital features such as a social media, language translation and accessibility features
• More pictures from MTN such as events, staff, donor hero families, transplant recipients and more
• Calls to action to join the donor registry throughout the site
• A trusted resource for MTN’s professional partners
The new website debuts July 30!
Donate Life Legacy Walk
Join us for an evening of hope, remembrance and celebration. The 2026 Donate Life Legacy Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Hosted by Midwest Transplant Network, this free community event brings together donor families, transplant recipients, living donors and supporters to honor the lifesaving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation. Guests will enjoy music, food trucks, familyfriendly activities and the meaningful Tribute Trail featuring personalized signs honoring loved ones impacted by donation.
One of the evening’s most special moments, the bubble ceremony, will fill the lawn with bubbles to represent hope, healing and legacy.
There is a place for everyone at the Legacy Walk to honor, celebrate and support the mission of donation.
Registration is now open. Create a team, invite your family and friends, and join us for an unforgettable evening to celebrate life and legacy.
Throughout her career at Midwest Transplant Network, Jeannette Ayala has directly impacted the lives of more than 30,000 people. This incredible milestone came as a shock to her, reflecting her unwavering commitment and genuine humility.
Jeannette has dedicated 18 years of service to MTN, starting as a Tissue Coordinator and now serving as a Donation Services Senior Specialist. Regardless of her position, Jeannette is fueled by a deep sense of compassion and a desire to pay it forward.
Get to know Jeannette as she shares what brought her to MTN, the moments that have stayed with her and what drives her to serve.
What originally brought you to MTN and how long have you been on the MTN team?
I started with MTN in 2008. The opportunity truly felt like it landed in my lap, but what solidified my decision was attending an Ambassador meeting where donor families shared how donation helped them heal. After that, I knew I wanted to be part of this work.
How has working in this field influenced your perspective of organ, eye and tissue donation?
Working in this field has deeply shaped my perspective. I’ve dedicated my life to it because I truly believe in the impact it has. I also feel a strong desire to pay it forward, just as someone once did for my family in a different way.
What does organ donation mean to you?
To me, organ donation can mean the difference between life and death. The same is true for tissue donation. Depending on the situation, it has the power to save and dramatically improve lives.
Can you explain how you feel knowing that your work in the DSD has impacted the lives of over 30,000 people?
Honestly — wow. I had no idea, and it brings tears to my eyes. It’s an incredible feeling. I entered the medical field because someone helped save my son’s life in the surgery room 25 years ago, and I wanted to pay that forward. Knowing this is the impact we’ve had is truly overwhelming in the best way.
MTN Celebrates Lifesaving Partnerships with Excellence in Donation Awards
In April, Midwest Transplant Network recognized their partners in organ, eye and tissue donation by presenting the annual Excellence in Donation Awards to hospitals, individuals and community organizations.
Based on 2025 donation outcomes, MTN presented awards for excellence in organ and tissue donation to hospitals with the highest rate of facilitating these lifesaving gifts in eligible cases where donation is authorized. MTN also honored exceptional partners — including hospitals, medical examiner offices, funeral homes, government agencies and dedicated individuals — who provide outstanding support to its lifesaving mission.
“Midwest Transplant Network proudly recognizes our dedicated partners with the Excellence in Donation Awards,” said Justina Barnes, Director, Hospital Services, MTN. “This celebration allows us to publicly acknowledge how our honorees fulfill the mission of organ and tissue donation, exemplifying our shared purpose of delivering hope to families in Kansas, Missouri and beyond.”
Midwest Transplant Network recognized the following:
Organ and tissue excellence:
Centerpoint Medical Center, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Liberty Hospital, Stormont Vail Health, The University of Kansas Health System, The University of Kansas Health System Olathe Hospital
Organ
excellence:
Freeman Health System, Mercy Hospital Joplin, Saint Luke’s North Hospital, University Health Truman Medical Center
Tissue excellence:
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Boone Health, Hays Medical Center, Inc., Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Johnson County Medical Examiner, Kansas Medical Center, Lake Regional Health System, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Saint Luke’s South Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Western Missouri Medical Center
Individual and group honorees:
Terri Cox, RN, Mercy Hospital Joplin; The Honorable Sharice Davids, U.S. House of Representatives; Brigid Flynn, MD, FCCM, Director of Cardiothoracic ICU, The University of Kansas Health System; Angela Forquer, Chaplain, Freeman Health System; Kat Humphrey, MSN, BSRT, RN, CEN, Neurology Clinical Specialist & Stroke Coordinator, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission; Jackson County (MO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; Nate Karch, DNP, RN, NE-BC, PCCN, Director of Nursing, MU Health Care; Erin Khouri, DO, Supportive & Palliative Medicine Physician, Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City; Laurie Labarca, President, Ascension Via Christi St. Francis; Patrick Marsh, CFO, and Regan Mosier, Brand Development Manager, Charlie Hustle; Maxine McMullen, MTN Ambassador; Steven Naumann, Mid America Transport Services; Jennifer Short, BSN, RN, CCRN, SCRN, CA5 ICU Clinical Nurse Team Leader, The University of Kansas Health System; Tammi Watkins, MSN, APRN, NP-C, ACHPN, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care
Hospital Partner Education
About This Newsletter
This insert is intended for clinical staff and not for the general public. Please post in a highly visible clinical area such as a break room.
Beyond the Media Headlines: What Truly Sets MTN Apart in DCD
Sometimes, media stories about organ donation can focus on the most complex or misunderstood parts of the process. Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) is one area that often draws attention due to the public’s limited familiarity with how it works. While some media stories can create uncertainty or raise questions, they also provide an important opportunity to offer clarity. They allow us to explain the strong ethical and clinical standards that shape every step of the donation process—and to demonstrate how organizations like Midwest Transplant Network consistently uphold high standards of care.
Contact Us
For more information or questions, call 913-262-1668, email info@mwtn.org or visit mwtn.org
DCD is a carefully planned and ethically-guided process that honors each donor’s decision while creating the opportunity to save lives. As public discussions continue, and as occasional media coverage highlights misconceptions, Midwest Transplant Network remains committed to clarity, compassionate support and deep respect for donors and their families. MTN’s approach upholds national standards and incorporates key safeguards that distinguish our process and reinforce trust among families, hospital partners and the community.
By
the Numbers
One of the most significant ways MTN differentiates its approach is by ensuring that extubation happens outside the operating room. Instead, it happens in a more private and comfortable location, typically the ICU or PACU. This provides families with a calmer environment for their final moments with their loved one and reinforces our commitment to honoring the individual first.
Another defining feature of MTN’s process is our clear and consistent observation period following the declaration of death. MTN practices a five-minute observation period, ensuring that circulatory and respiratory functions have irreversibly ceased before moving forward. This step reflects a deep commitment to ethical practice and national standards.
Finally, verification and preparation for organ recovery occur only after the observation period and only once the patient has been moved to the operating room. This separation of steps protects the integrity of the process and supports the trust of families and hospital partners.
By adhering to these principles, MTN continues to distinguish itself as a leader in DCD donation, bringing clarity where there is confusion, compassion where there is grief, and excellence in every step of care.
The Critical Role of the Emergency Department in Organ Donation:
Why Early Referrals Matter
The Emergency Department (ED) plays a pivotal role in the organ donation process. As the front line of patient care, ED teams are frequently the first to identify patients who may become potential organ donors. Their actions, particularly timely referrals, can significantly influence donation outcomes, the number of organs transplanted and ultimately, the lives saved.
The ED as the Front Door to Donation
Many patients who become organ donors initially present to the hospital through the Emergency Department due to trauma, sudden illness or catastrophic events. Early recognition of clinical triggers, such as severe neurological injury, ventilator dependence, or end-of-life discussions, is essential. When these triggers are identified and referred promptly to MTN, there is greater opportunity to evaluate donor suitability, stabilize organ function and support families through the donation process. It is especially important that patients are referred prior to palliative extubation in the ED to ensure that all donation opportunities are preserved and appropriately evaluated.
The impact of ED referrals is significant. In the MTN service area, 14% of all organ donors were initially referred from the ED. Additionally, referrals from the ED are associated with an increased likelihood of organ recovery and a higher number of organs transplanted per donor. These outcomes demonstrate how critical early identification and action are in maximizing the gift of donation.
It is important to remember that referral does not mean donation; it simply ensures that every potential opportunity is evaluated. ED staff play a vital role in this process by recognizing triggers, making timely referrals and collaborating with the care team and OPO.
Through early referral and continued partnership, the ED helps save lives and support donor families in creating a meaningful legacy.
Honoring a Final Gift: Understanding First Person Authorization
As healthcare providers, we are called to honor our patients’ wishes and few moments are as profound as honoring a patient’s end-of-life wishes. Central to this process is First Person Authorization (FPA). FPA is a decision made through legal documentation, such as a driver’s license or state registry. Under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), this designation falls under Gift Law. Much like a will, it is legally binding. Because FPA is a gift from the individual, families do not have the legal authority to change this generous decision to save lives.
Many individuals choose to register as donors without informing their families, often to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making a difficult choice during a crisis. Consequently, when Midwest Transplant Network shares a patient’s donor status, it may stir complex emotions. MTN’s goal is to uphold the legal decision made by the patient while providing compassionate support to the family as they navigate the profound loss of a loved one.
The legal obligation to honor the gift remains regardless of the manner of death. Whether a patient can save lives through donation after Death by Neurological Criteria (DNC) or Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD), the authorization stands. In DCD cases, MTN collaborates with the family regarding the timing of palliative extubation to
NDLM DMV Decorating Contest Winners
We appreciate the entries submitted for the office decorating contest during National Donate Life Month. You all made it so difficult to pick a winner for both large population and small population DMV offices!
We would like to send a big CONGRATULATIONS to the Independence, Missouri license office for winning the large population award, and the Mitchell County, Kansas treasurer’s office for being the small population DMV winner. Both offices received the coveted traveling trophy featuring Hope the Otter, as well as celebratory treats.
The Mission, Kansas tag office and Mountain Grove, Missouri license office both won honorable mention for the large population and small population categories, respectively. MTN personally delivered treats to thank these offices for their creativity and participation.
We cannot wait to see what you all do next year!
Hope the Otter Requests
Who doesn’t love a little Hope?
We have been overwhelmed by the excitement and support surrounding the unveiling of MTN’s newest team member, Hope the Otter.
Hope’s presence has quickly become a fun and meaningful way to spark conversations about organ, eye, and tissue donation in our communities. We want to keep the conversation going by offering visits to the license, tag and DMV offices with Hope the Otter.
We are thrilled to offer indoor-only appearances with Hope. The visits will last approximately one hour, and they are designed to create a positive, engaging experience for both staff and customers. These requests can be made by emailing Jessica Cleary, Donor Designation Coordinator, at jcleary@mwtn.org . Please share your preferred dates and times, and we will review your request to schedule an appearance.
Thank you again for welcoming Hope into your offices and helping Midwest Transplant Network continue to give hope and share life — one conversation at a time!
6 • Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation at mwtn.org
DMV Participation at Legacy Walk
We are excited to invite our DMV partners to participate in this year’s Donate Life Legacy Walk. The walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. This is a meaningful event honoring donor heroes, celebrating transplant recipients and remembering the lives forever impacted by the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation.
DMV staff are encouraged to participate in whatever way feels most comfortable for you and your team. You can register individually, bring family and friends, or create a DMV team and enjoy this community event together. Whether you join us to honor a loved one, support the donation mission or simply enjoy a day of community connection, your presence makes a difference.
Due to scheduling changes related to upcoming FIFA events in the area, this year’s walk has been moved from June to September. Additional event details and registration information are online at mwtn.org/legacy-walk . We hope to see many familiar DMV faces at this year’s Donate Life Legacy Walk!
Question of the Quarter: Will my life be saved if I have the organ donor heart icon on my license?
As I make my way to various license, tag and DMV offices, I am encouraged by the thoughtful questions employees ask as they try to understand the ins and outs of organ, eye and tissue donation. To share these insights with our community, I’ll answer a Question of the Quarter.
Let’s start with a question that comes up at every office: Will my life be saved if I have the organ donor heart icon on my license?
The first thing I want to make clear is that it is a medical professional’s priority to save your life. The very same measures it takes to save your life are the same ones it takes for you to donate your organs.
If you are supportive of donation, but do not wish to have the donor heart icon on your license, there are other options. In Missouri, you can choose whether to have the heart on your license. And whether you are in Kansas or Missouri, you can skip adding the icon at the license office entirely and instead go to ShareLifeMidwest.com and add yourself to the registry that way.
No matter what you decide, talking to your family about your wishes is the most important step. That way, your decision can be honored by those who matter most.
If you have any questions about donation or the registration process, please reach out to Jessica Cleary, Donor Designation Coordinator, at jcleary@mwtn.org . I would be glad to drop by your staff meetings or lead employee training sessions. I’m here to help ensure your team feels confident and knowledgeable about organ, eye and tissue donation.
Mission
Saving lives by honoring the gift of donation with dignity and compassion
Vision
Leading organ and tissue donation through excellence, quality and partnerships
Contact Us
For more information or questions, call 913-262-1668 or visit mwtn.org
Follow Us
/MidwestTransplantNetwork
/MidwestTransplantNetwork
/MidwestTransplantNetwork
@MWTransplant
Midwest Transplant Network
Upcoming Events Event Audience Key
General MTN
Hospital Partners
Licensing, Treasury and Department of Revenue Partners
View all upcoming events: mwtn.org/events
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August
Aug. 1-31 • National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month
National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month is a dedicated time to save and enhance lives within diverse communities by fostering a positive culture around organ, eye and tissue donation.
For more information: mwtn.org/nmdam
September
Sept. 1-30 • National DMV Appreciation Month
National DMV Appreciation Month is a time to recognize partnerships with DMV and licensing bureau offices and thank them for their work to help save and enhance lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.
For more information: mwtn.org/dmv-month
Sept. 12 • Donate Life Legacy Walk
Join us for a free community event to celebrate and remember the power of organ, eye and tissue donation. The walk features a Tribute Trail, food trucks, live music, a bubble remembrance ceremony, information booths, lawn games and more. Registration is now open.
