Gift of Life and our hospital partners share a joint mission to save lives through organ donation. As we honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service, we are pleased to announce a new recognition program to celebrate the most dedicated “Advocates in Action” nominated by our hospital partners. These individuals are being recognized for their extraordinary support and commitment to advancing a culture of donation.

Read more about these committed donation advocates below.

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As a nurse in the Cardiac ICU at Geisinger Medical Center, Deb Artley has consistently gone above and beyond her routine responsibilities to improve the hospital’s collaboration with Gift of Life Donor Program. Deb’s insight and leadership have been instrumental in implementing changes that have made a lasting impact on the hospital’s organ donation processes. Her suggestions have led to streamlined protocols that ensure more efficient referrals and better outcomes for patients and families during such critical moments. In addition to her hands-on role in the ICU, Deb serves as a committee leader on Geisinger’s Donation Council.

Beyond her hospital, Deb has taken her advocacy to the next level by co-founding a regional donation collaborative. This collaborative brings together nurses and physicians from all institutions within central Pennsylvania, working closely with Gift of Life Donor Program to elevate donation outcomes across the region.

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Lynn Burcaw-Miles is a staunch supporter of organ donation. As a senior nurse leader on the PICU at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children she is constantly reminding her team about partnering with Gift of Life Donor Program. Lynn ignites a wonderful energy throughout the hospital, cultivating a culture that supports donation. She works hard to ensure that the donation opportunity is given to each and every family.

Lynn has led the HAP hospital committee the last 3 years and has done an amazing job recruiting committee members. Her efforts in April include providing education to critical care staff, honoring donors and families, and celebrating transplant recipients.

Pictured above, from left: Tyler Shugarts Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer; Diana Colonna, Nursing Director, Critical Care Unit; Becky Malfara, PICU Social Worker; Abby Miller, PICU RN; Lynn Burcaw-Miles, RN, Adjunct Instructor, Drexel, HAP Chair; Sarah Higgins, Gift of Life Donor Program Hospital Services Coordinator, Doug Thompson, Chief Medical Officer; Claire Alminde Chief Nursing Officer; Heather Lavella, Nursing Director

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Over the last decade, Chris Costello has partnered with Gift of Life to support his colleagues at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital and beyond. He routinely mentors nurse orientees in the ICU to ensure they are familiar with their role in the donation process. Chris has been a member of the Jefferson Northeast Hospital Council where he shares best practices and helps identify areas for improvement. He has participated on the Expert Panel at Gift of Life’s Donation Champion Learning sessions sharing his experience caring for critically ill patients and their families.

Additionally, his leadership and advocacy were critical to the donor memorial installed at the hospital in 2019. This unique memorial remembers patients who donated life-saving organs and tissues.

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Liz Serratore is a committed and tireless advocate for donation both on her unit, St. Luke’s Bethlehem MICU, and the entire St. Luke’s University Health Network. In her role as the MICU Clinical Education Specialist, Liz exemplifies advocacy for donation by identifying educational opportunities for her staff, facilitating organ referrals on her unit, coordinating case reviews, and identifying areas in which our teams can collaborate. She leads the St. Luke’s University Health Network Donation Council and helps coordinate case reviews for the Bethlehem campus.

All of Liz’s work is done with her patients and their families in mind.  

Additionally, Liz played a fundamental role in the organization of the first Donate Life Month celebration at St. Luke’s Bethlehem since prior to the pandemic. This celebration included stories from donor families and transplant recipients and was attended by hospital staff from throughout the network. This event honored organ donors and their families and celebrated the lives that have been saved by organ donation.   

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Brette Barrish has embraced her role as a donation champion on the MICU at Einstein Medical Center. Brette said YES when asked to be part of a committee focused on improving the donation process at her hospital and increasing the number of people who receive life-saving kidney transplants.

Brette offered to create tools that could be used to educate her fellow nurses so they would be more comfortable in their role supporting patients and families through the donation process. She routinely partners with Gift of Life and is organizing a team to cook at Gift of Life Howie’s House.

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As the Director of Emergency Critical Care Services, Heidi Seiberlich empowers nurses to be actively involved in the donation process. She understands the critical role that nurses play in ensuring families and patients are given the opportunity to have donation as part of their legacy.

Heidi has taken an active role in supporting efforts during National Donate Life Month to promote donation at Jefferson Abington Hospital. In particular, she has organized the annual flag raising which is attended by hospital leadership, members of the critical care teams, and Gift of Life Donor Program staff and Volunteer Ambassadors.

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Adam partnered with Gift of Life Donor Program to organize and lead the first donation council meeting for Inspira Health. He openly shared his personal connection to donation and transplantation. As a leader, he encourages staff to attend Gift of Life programming to learn more about their role in the donation process. He is available to assist and partner with Gift of Life staff to ensure that the donation process can unfold for patients and families.

Adam has been a participant in Gift of Life Donation Champion learning sessions as part of the expert panel sharing his experience, expertise and best practices in the donation process. He is responsible for the implementation of a “Hero Walk” on all 3 ICUs to support donor families. He also coordinated a Stuff the Shuttle event to support Gift of Life Howie’s House.

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Jordyn Shoemaker is a champion for families and donation at Pottstown Hospital. She plays a critical role co-leading the hospital’s Donation Council which held the inaugural meeting this past April. Jordyn routinely attends programming offered by Gift of Life Donor Program. She fosters a culture of donation and is a model for her peers.

In 2024, Jordyn was part of the committee that supported the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania’s hospital challenge. She organized educational programming and awareness efforts throughout the hospital. Ultimately, she helped the hospital earn Platinum level recognition.

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As the Administrator for the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office, Jeff Lange is a true champion for donation. Under his leadership, his office has ensured that every family’s opportunity for donation has been fulfilled — his office works with Gift of Life Donor Program and has authorized every tissue and organ recovery opportunity in Delaware County.  

Every month Jeff publishes statistics on his website, sharing with the public valuable information about Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation. By sharing this information, Jeff demonstrates how the Medical Examiners Office is committed to helping our community through education and advocacy.

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Joe is a champion for donation at Temple University Hospital. In his role as AVP of Nursing, Joe co-chairs the hospital’s Organ Donation Council. Under his leadership, the council meets monthly to discuss and improve the donation process for families and staff.

He is also the co-founder of the Council’s Subcommittee on Community Engagement. Over the last year, he has taken his advocacy to the next level working to dispel fears and misconceptions in the community of North Philadelphia. In partnership with Gift of Life Donor Program, Joe worked to create an educational program that brings together members of the community, Temple staff, and Gift of Life representatives to have open and honest conversations about the life saving impact of donation and transplantation.

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Lisa has been an advocate for donation for several years. As a donor family member, she wants to ensure all families are given the opportunity to create a legacy for their loved one.

In her previous position she was part of the committee which organized activities during April to celebrate National Donate Life Month. Now, in her role in the Quality Department at Beebe Healthcare she partnered with Gift of Life to create the hospital’s first donation council. She recruited her peers to join the council to share their experiences and identify opportunities to educate staff throughout the hospital.

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Heidi, pictured on the left with Gift of Life Hospital Services Coordinator Christina Sarge, exemplifies outstanding advocacy for donation through her unwavering commitment to organ donors and their families. As a donation champion, she goes above and beyond by leading the donation council of her campus with exceptional dedication.

Her role involves spearheading initiatives as well as meticulously planning events throughout the year. This includes leading the charge for her hospital during the Donate Life HAP Challenge. Heidi’s advocacy fosters a culture of donation both in the hospital and her community.

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