Explore Transplant

Explore Transplant Guided by Amy Waterman, PhD, Explore Transplant (ET) is a national consortium of the leading experts

Explore Transplant helps patients with kidney failure, families, friends, living donors and providers understand all of the available transplant options in order to make the most informed healthcare decisions. Our educational programs are available for organizations serving kidney patients and families directly. Founded by Dr. Amy Waterman, one of the nation’s leading experts in transplant education, Explore Transplant’s programs and training seminars have benefited tens of thousands of kidney patients served by more than 120 transplant centers and 3,000 dialysis centers since 2009.

🚀 Meet Dr. Kenneth J. Woodside — Bridging science, systems & stories in transplantation!As Surgical Director of Sharing ...
11/06/2025

🚀 Meet Dr. Kenneth J. Woodside — Bridging science, systems & stories in transplantation!

As Surgical Director of Sharing Hope South Carolina and Faculty Collaborator with the Patient Engagement Research Lab, Dr. Woodside brings decades of experience—and heart—to improving access to life-saving transplants.

From expanding the use of higher-risk organs to mentoring future transplant leaders, his mission is simple but powerful: make transplantation more equitable, innovative, and connected.

💬 “I hope we increase not just access to transplant, but understanding across the entire transplant ecosystem.”

✨ Read his full story and discover how collaboration and compassion are shaping the future of transplant care : https://exploretransplant.org/meet-dr-kenneth-j-woodside-uniting-transplant-systems-with-vision-data-and-heart-surgical-director-sharing-hope-south-carolina-faculty-collaborator-pe-lab/

✨ “It’s an important time to be innovative.” — Dr. Amy WatermanOrgans + innovation + people = a future of better lives.D...
11/05/2025

✨ “It’s an important time to be innovative.” — Dr. Amy Waterman
Organs + innovation + people = a future of better lives.

Dr. Waterman shares how the transplant field is evolving right now—and how technology, compassion & patient voices must lead the way. From AI risk models and remote care to patient-informed education and living donor programs, she’s creating the roadmap.

🌱 Let’s reimagine transplantation together. Read how and why: https://www.organdonationalliance.org/alliance-news/be-innovative-in-this-time-of-transition-in-transplant-says-dr-amy-waterman-patient-advocate-and-researcher/

10/24/2025

“After my transplant, my life changed completely.”

Meet Arturo from Texas, who received a double lung transplant 10 years ago after battling pulmonary fibrosis. His journey wasn’t easy — at one point, pneumonia put his transplant hopes at risk. But with faith, family, and the support of his doctors and nurses, Arturo pulled through.

✨ Today, he’s full of energy — back to working, running, and playing with his grandchildren. His message to others waiting for a transplant:

💬 “Have faith, don’t give up. Trust your doctors, trust God, and stay strong — you can overcome this.”

Watch Arturo’s full story and more inspiring transplant journeys at Health Stories for You.
🔗 HealthStories4U.org & livingdonationstories.org

“Después de mi trasplante, mi vida cambió por completo.”

Conoce a Arturo de Texas, quien recibió un trasplante doble de pulmón hace 10 años después de luchar contra la fibrosis pulmonar. Su camino no fue fácil — incluso enfermó de neumonía y pensó que nunca recibiría sus pulmones. Pero gracias a su fe, su familia y su equipo médico, Arturo logró salir adelante.

✨ Hoy es un hombre lleno de vida y energía, trabajando y jugando con sus nietos. Su mensaje para quienes esperan un trasplante:

💬 “Tengan fe, no se rindan. Confíen en sus doctores, en Dios, y manténganse fuertes.”

Mira la historia completa de Arturo y otras inspiradoras en Health Stories for You.
🔗 HealthStories4U.org y livingdonationstories.org

10/10/2025

💖 “My life has begun again.”

Meet Mandy from Texas, who received a life-saving heart transplant 5 years ago. Before her transplant, Mandy lived in fear—afraid to leave her house, exhausted from heart failure, Transient Ischemic Attack (TIAs -known as strokes), and being shocked repeatedly by her ICD.

✨ Today, everything is different. She hikes, travels, and celebrates life’s milestones—watching her sons graduate, seeing one get married, and celebrating her 30th anniversary.

Her message to others waiting for a transplant: Be patient. The hardest part is not knowing when your gift will come—but when it does, it’s worth the wait.

➡️ Watch Mandy’s full journey and other inspiring patient stories at Health Stories for You.
🎥 healthstories4u.org
🎥 livingdonationstories.org
💫 Like, share, and help spread the word about this beautiful journey!
👫Tag someone who needs to hear this!
👍 LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, AND FOLLOW to get more inspiring stories!
🎥 healthstories4u.org
🎥 livingdonationstories.org
💫 Like, share, and help spread the word about this beautiful journey!
👫Tag someone who needs to hear this!
👍 LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, AND FOLLOW to get more inspiring stories!

Imagine if you had honest stories from people—donors and recipients—that help you decide whether living kidney donation ...
10/08/2025

Imagine if you had honest stories from people—donors and recipients—that help you decide whether living kidney donation could be right for you. That’s what we’ve been building.

At Houston Methodist, Dr. Amy Waterman’s team is using AI to understand real fears & questions that show up in people’s online searches, and our Living Donation Storytelling Library (200+ videos in English, Spanish, and French) allows you to watch first-hand accounts from people just like you.

Proud to be working alongside Amy on the Digital Storytelling Project, helping make these stories available, real, and helpful—for those thinking about donation, their families, or anyone who just wants the facts.

🔗 Read the full article & see how AI + real stories are helping support living donors: https://read.houstonmethodist.org/artificial-intelligence-helps-support-potential-living-kidney-donors-o
To learn more about the library, visit the website: The Living Donation Storytelling Project here: https://livingdonationstories.org/

10/05/2025

🏃‍♀️💚 Houston showed up BIG for the 2025 LifeGift 2nd Chance Run!

On September 13, 2025, Houston Methodist Patient Engagement Lab joined hundreds of runners, transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, and supporters to celebrate the gift of life and honor those impacted by organ, eye, and tissue donation.

✨ Why We Run:
💚 To honor the selfless donors who gave the gift of life
💚 To celebrate the courage of transplant recipients and those waiting
💚 To support donor families and uplift their loved ones’ legacies
💚 To raise awareness about the power of donation and encourage others to register

🙌 Huge thanks to the many vendors, volunteers, and community partners who came out to cheer, support, and make this day unforgettable.

Let’s keep spreading the word: One donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance many more. 💚

Help inspire others to say YES to donation!

10/03/2025

💙 “Hello, my name is Jan…” That’s how her powerful story begins. After being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and told she had only 3–5 years without a lung transplant, Jan refused to give up. With the love of her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends, she held onto hope.

In August 2016, at age 65, Jan received her life-saving single lung transplant. Today, she’s living proof that strength, faith, and family support can carry you through the hardest times. 🙏💪

✨ Watch Jan’s full journey and hear more stories of resilience and hope at Health Stories for You.
🎥 healthstories4u.org
🎥 livingdonationstories.org
💫 Like, share, and help spread the word about this beautiful journey!
👫Tag someone who needs to hear this!
👍 LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, AND FOLLOW to get more inspiring stories!

🌟 The Human Side of AI: Transforming Transplant Care 🌟At the Alliance National Innovation Forum, Dr. Amy Waterman introd...
10/03/2025

🌟 The Human Side of AI: Transforming Transplant Care 🌟

At the Alliance National Innovation Forum, Dr. Amy Waterman introduced a human-technology co-care model that blends AI with compassionate, human-centered medical care.

✨ Key highlights:
✅ Using AI to personalize support tools for patients
✅ Scraping 200K+ online comments to understand real patient concerns
✅ Creating 3 donor profiles – Caretakers, Purpose Seekers, and Pragmatists – to better connect with what motivates people to give the gift of life
✅ Predictive models to help high-risk patients complete transplant evaluation

This work proves that when AI is grounded in empathy, it can expand access, reduce barriers, and improve outcomes for transplant patients everywhere.

🔗 Read the full piece and learn how this innovation is shaping the future of donation and transplantation:https://www.organdonationalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Illuminating-Innovation-The-Human-Side-of-AI.pdf

The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is hosting its 50 Annual National Patient Meeting in October 3-5, 202...
10/01/2025

The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is hosting its 50 Annual National Patient Meeting in October 3-5, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. This hybrid event is the premier kidney patient conference in the U.S., featuring educational sessions, social activities, an exhibit hall, and much more. Join AAKP in person in Texas or online.

Register at: https://bit.ly/AAKPNPM.

Spotlight on Brian Gowan: Bringing Heart, Hope, and Harmony to Transplant Care: ✨ Meet Brian Gowan, Senior Chaplain at H...
10/01/2025

Spotlight on Brian Gowan: Bringing Heart, Hope, and Harmony to Transplant Care:
✨ Meet Brian Gowan, Senior Chaplain at Houston Methodist, whose heart for patients goes far beyond the walls of the hospital. From creating digital stories of hope during COVID to building peer mentoring programs and even founding the Grateful Heart Singers (a group of transplant recipients who share music on hospital units 🎶), Brian brings compassion, creativity, and joy to transplant care.

Through his work with the PE Lab, Brian is helping transform how patient voices inspire, connect, and heal. 💙

🌍 Read Brian’s full story and see how passion + purpose = impact: https://exploretransplant.org/brian-gowan-bringing-heart-hope-and-harmony-to-transplant-care/
Or Visit: Explore Transplant website > under Transplant News to read the full story.
👫Tag someone who needs to read this!
👍 LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, AND FOLLOW to get more innovative research information!

🚨 Exciting News! Dr. Amy Waterman is speaking at the AAKP 50th Annual National Patient Meeting — a hybrid event you won’...
09/29/2025

🚨 Exciting News! Dr. Amy Waterman is speaking at the AAKP 50th Annual National Patient Meeting — a hybrid event you won’t want to miss! 🎤 Whether you're joining in-person in Fort Worth or virtually from anywhere, there's something for everyone.

Event Dates: October 3 - 5, 2025 | HYBRID EVENT

Why attend virtually?
✅ Access to General Sessions + select Breakouts
✅ Visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall
✅ Connect with other attendees in the Network Lounge
✅ Join discussions via Discussion Boards
✅ Fun extras like virtual photo booths

🗓️ Register now to learn cutting-edge updates, engage with kidney community leaders, and be part of conversations that are shaping kidney care.

🔗 Link to reserve your spot / Visit https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E16588&id=82
American Association of Kidney Patients

🌍 From Paris to the World!At the World Transplant Congress, Dr. Solaf Al Awadhi reunited with her former mentor, Dr. Ale...
09/28/2025

🌍 From Paris to the World!

At the World Transplant Congress, Dr. Solaf Al Awadhi reunited with her former mentor, Dr. Alexandre Loupy of the Paris Transplant Group — the brilliant mind behind the iBox tool, which has revolutionized how we predict long-term kidney transplant outcomes.

🤝 She also introduced him to Dr. Amy Waterman from the Patient Engagement Research Lab, sparking exciting discussions about future collaborations that could advance transplant care worldwide.

✨ This is what happens when innovation, mentorship, and global collaboration come together!

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https://livingdonationstories.org/

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