01/21/2026
Grandfather: ‘Kidney transplant gives me more years to raise my grandchildren’
Derek Black was born with a kidney that didn’t fully develop at birth. Over the years, he developed high blood pressure, eventually impairing the function of his working kidney.
Six years ago – on June 24, 2020, Black received a new kidney.
“What that means is I don’t have 20 hours of my life tied up in dialysis and I don’t plan my day around dialysis,” said Black, 67. “My reason for getting a transplant is because me and my wife are raising our grandchildren.”
Black met his wife, Lilly, through a mutual friend. They have been married for 36 years and are the parents to four children and grandparents to three grandchildren, ages 13, 16 and 17.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Black graduated from North Central High School where he played baseball. After high school, he earned a degree in restaurant and hotel management and spent most of his career working in the industry. He managed the food service for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center for a dozen years and worked at such local restaurants as MCL and the former Damiens, known for its slow-cooked ribs.
Now he is semi-retired and enjoys working as a floral delivery driver. “My busiest days are Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas. Who doesn’t like putting a smile on someone’s face?,” said Black. Most of his time is spent raising his grandchildren.
“My biggest goal is to teach them old school ethics. To help instill in them that achieving something is its own reward.”
Black was in the care of Dr. William Goggins when he received his transplant. He continues regular checkups with his nephrologist Dr. Oluwafisayo Adebiyi.
His kidney transplant wasn’t Black’s first experience with IU Health.
“I was born at Methodist Hospital; three of my children were born at Methodist Hospital; and two of my grandchildren were born at IU Health,” said Black. He was also hospitalized with a serious leg wound the year before his transplant.
Black’s recent clinical visit included routine care by nurses Lynsi Hittle and Rob Talhelm of the vascular access team. Hittle has worked with IU Health for five years and Talhelm has been with IU Health six years.
“We see patients whose veins you often can’t see or feel. With imaging there’s no guessing. We can get the vein more immediately,” said Talhelm. Patients who have been on dialysis often have difficult veins because of frequent needle sticks, and kidney disease that can damage the veins, said Black.
“I go through this every time I visit, and I can’t say enough about the care I receive. I’m absolutely grateful for IU Health for all they have done.”
-By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org
