"Organ Transplant Connecting Lives, Difficult but Unforgettable"[Hospital Job Stories]

Seoul Asan Hospital Hong Jeongja Organ Transplant Coordinator

The place where life and death hang in the balance and emotions intertwine is the hospital. A hospital cannot function by the effort of just one person. It takes countless staff members coming together to finally gain the power to treat patients and save lives. 'Hospital Stories' aims to shed light on the indispensable helpers who are essential for a hospital to operate, though ordinary people may not be well aware of them.

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News about organ donation, which occasionally comes to light, always touches the heart deeply. How can we possibly understand the feelings of families who decide on organ donation while sending off their precious loved ones? In this way, one life continues into another. It is a noble act that only humans can perform.

There are people who assist throughout the entire organ transplantation process. They are called 'Organ Transplant Coordinators.' Organ transplant coordinators play the role of coordinating and managing various situations that arise during the organ transplantation process. They empathize with the donor’s feelings and help recipients maintain a healthy life after transplantation.

What is the life of an organ transplant coordinator like? On the 10th, we met Ms. Hong Jeong-ja, the 'second' organ transplant coordinator at Seoul Asan Medical Center, who has been in this role for over 20 years, to hear her story. Ms. Hong expressed gratitude to donors who made the noble decision of organ donation in the face of the pain of sending off loved ones, and to all recipients who live healthy lives after transplantation.

Jungja Hong, Organ Transplant Coordinator at Seoul Asan Medical Center.

- Please introduce the work of an organ transplant coordinator.

▲ Organ transplant coordinators emerged in the late 1980s. In Korea, Seoul Asan Medical Center was the first to introduce this role, which involves coordinating to ensure the organ transplantation process proceeds smoothly and effectively. Our duties include confirming brain-dead donors, managing recipients so they can maintain healthy lives, counseling patients and their families, providing education, guidance, and information. Since transplantation is difficult without active organ donation, we also take on the role of promoting awareness among hospital staff and the public.

- How did you start working as an organ transplant coordinator?

▲ I started as the hospital’s second organ transplant coordinator in 1999, following the first coordinator, Ms. Ha Hee-seon, who has since retired and was my role model. I worked for 10 years as a nurse in the surgical intensive care unit and dialysis unit. Watching Ms. Ha, I realized that while one life ends, another can begin. Although it was unfamiliar, complex, and required many personal sacrifices, I found it interesting because it allowed me to see a slightly different field from my previous nursing roles.

Connecting one life to another

- Did you face any difficulties at first?

▲ Before becoming an organ transplant coordinator, I worked in several departments including the intensive care unit, dialysis unit, and surgical outpatient clinic. Since most transplants are kidney transplants, I had some exposure to dialysis patients, so approaching the work was somewhat easier. However, there were many challenges to overcome. In the ICU, you only need to focus on your own work during your shift, but as an organ transplant coordinator, you must be ready to go out anytime if there is an urgent patient or transplant even after work hours. It was a bit tough, but when good results came from my efforts, I thought, 'So this is my role,' and it gave me strength again.

- When do you feel the most moved and rewarded?

▲ Sending off a precious person, such as a parent losing a child or someone losing a loved one, makes organ donation a decision that cannot be made easily. Even saying "You are amazing" feels cautious toward them. I am deeply moved by families who, despite fainting and crying, say, "If this death can be more meaningful and if the organs can be donated, we will donate." People often ask if I have any memorable episodes, but every case of meeting donor families is an episode for an organ transplant coordinator. Overcoming difficult processes, seeing the transplantation happen, and watching pediatric recipients grow into adults, get married, and have children makes me grateful for life itself.

Jungja Hong, Organ Transplant Coordinator at Seoul Asan Medical Center.

- What drives you to continue this work?

▲ My family. Even when I am with my family, if there is work, I have to go to the hospital. Organ donation and transplantation can happen even in the middle of the night. If my family did not understand this, I would not have been able to continue. Colleagues who share difficulties also provide psychological support. Fellow hospital staff and coordinator groups walking this path together help me straighten myself when I feel mentally or physically off balance. Personally, I also overcome moments of wavering and shrinking through the power of faith.

- What skills and mindset are necessary for an organ transplant coordinator?

▲ First, I think it is important to have a mindset that accepts and cooperates with those around you. Coordinators must understand others through communication and lead them toward the intended goals. Especially since the transplantation process involves coordination with many departments, having the ability to elicit cooperation and resolve various interests makes someone well-suited for this role.

Stress is high, but satisfaction and achievement are even greater

- Any advice or requests for juniors who want to follow this path?

▲ Realistically, the physical and psychological stress is high. The work doesn’t end when you go home. You get less sleep and have to be on call a lot, but when things finish well, the satisfaction and sense of achievement become the driving force to keep working. If you work with pride, sincerity, and consistency, I believe you can perform the role of an organ transplant coordinator smoothly. If people I know were to walk this path, I would empathize and support them because it is a meaningful job.

- What does organ transplantation mean to you?

▲ Something I cannot give up on, even when it’s hard!

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.