First Dragonfly Scholarship Awarded in 2022
In 2022, the Dragonfly Transplant Fund was able to create an endowed fund in honor of Deb Brown through the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. This fund was developed to award scholarships to medical professionals working at the UIHC Transplant Center for specialized trainings, meetings, and other continuing education opportunities to improve the transplant process for patients, caregivers, and families.
Andrea Koehler, RN, BSN, Assistant Nurse Manager at UIHC Transplant Center, was the first recipient of the Dragonfly scholarship. We were fortunate to have Andrea present at our 5th Annual Golf Outing and Fundraiser reception.
“I have been part of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Transplant Team for 6 years. In my time working with pre-kidney and pancreas transplant patients and now in a leadership role, I continue to be amazed at the resilience of not only the patients but the nursing staff as well.
In August, I had the opportunity to attend the NATCO (The Organization for Transplant Professionals) Annual Meeting in Kansas City with the help of a scholarship from the Dragonfly Transplant Fund. At this meeting, we discussed upcoming advances in transplantation and organ procurement as well as best practices other transplant centers are using throughout the country. A big thank you to the Dragonfly Transplant Fund for helping me attend the NATCO meeting!”
Congratulations to Andrea on receiving this scholarship! We look forward to meeting future scholarship recipients and sharing their stories with our Dragonfly Transplant Fund supporters.
