A Cause Close to Home

By Olivia Watson | Photo: Courtesy Mary Fiser

A native New Orleanian with a background in education and a former business owner, Mary Giafagleone Fiser jokes that “Ochsner” could have been one of her first words. “My parents were both loyal patients, and I was their primary caregiver for the last last four years of their long lives,” she explained. “Generations of my family received care at Ochsner.”

Mary came to know Ochsner Health’s compassionate community even more closely when her family faced simultaneous health crises: while her parents declined, her husband Jerry was diagnosed with kidney failure. Jerry needed a kidney transplant—and there was no question that they would seek support from the Ochsner Multi-Organ Transplant Institute.

Mary and Jerry sent several educational emails to family, friends and acquaintances about Jerry’s situation in hopes of finding a living donor. After countless medical tests, doctor’s appointments, and eight long months of outreach, the Fisers found hope: a living donor angel. Thanks to Ochsner’s Kidney Transplant team, Jerry received a new kidney in 2011.

Since its inception in 1984, Ochsner’s Multi-Organ Transplant Institute— made up of renowned physicians, surgeons, transplant nurses and support specialists—has successfully performed more than 8,000 life-saving kidney, liver, pancreas, lung and heart transplants. They are able to deliver life-saving care thanks to innovations in technology, breakthroughs in research and the ongoing support of Ochsner’s donor community.

Jerry’s story is all too common. He was one of many Americans in dire need of a transplant after kidney failure. Every 10 minutes, another name is added to the national transplant waiting list. In Louisiana alone, over 2,000 people are waiting for lifesaving transplants. “There’s a huge need in our community to help people wherever they are in their transplant journey,” explained Lauren Phipps, Director of Development for the Multi-Organ Transplant Institute at Ochsner.

This journey includes rides to and from doctor’s appointments, help finding donor matches, financial support for lodging or food and postoperative monitoring to ensure a smooth recovery.

The relationship with the post-op team was particularly important for Jerry, as he encountered multiple hurdles. “Our gratitude and respect for the transplant team, led by Jorge Garces, MD and closely managed by his case manager, Jeanne Bouvette, RN, only grew and intensified,” Mary shared.

The feeling was mutual. “At Ochsner, we have access to the latest research and clinical trials, which helps us improve health outcomes before and after surgery,” Dr. Garces explained. “Our job is to not only provide the highest level of care, but also to give patients and their families a comprehensive education about what they can expect at every step of the procedure— perhaps most importantly in recovery. ”

Patient compliance is a critical part of this process. “Jerry was a lovely patient and person, always willing to cooperate and follow instructions,” Dr. Garces shared. “He worked hard to improve his quality of life by following our recommendations, adhering to dietary restrictions and staying motivated.”

After a successful kidney transplant, Jerry’s health took a turn for the worse as a result of other complications, including Parkinson’s disease and dementia. A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Jerry passed away in 2021.

Jerry and Mary decided that the best way to honor the care Jerry received was by giving back to the community that took care of him when he needed it most. “We decided to give an annually gift,” shared Mary.

“We realized we could give back to Ochsner, the organization that had touched our lives so graciously and professionally,” explained Mary.

Together, Mary and Jerry chose to support the Transplant Data Science Program to advance all transplant research, as well as the Gregory Smith Transplant Fund, which provides financial support to patients for anything they need. This includes medication, lodging, or even gas bills to alleviate patients’ financial burden.

“We have continued to make annual gifts for the past six years,” shared Mary. “We wanted to provide financial assistance to patients who need it but we also came to realize that research is a vital part of moving the success of future transplants forward.”

For the Fisers, caregiving runs in the family. Jerry and Mary’s daughter, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Fiser Lewis, joined Ochsner as a pelvic health physical therapist in 2019. Mary is working with her son-in-law, Dr. Nick Lewis, a physical therapist with Ochsner, to cultivate future giving goals.

The best place to start, insisted Mary, is right where you are. “If you have been blessed enough to have funds you can share, then test the waters,” Mary said. “Find those unmet or existing needs in your community and just start.”