After losing her brother and witnessing the gift of life he gave to others through organ donation, Jessica Borden, RN, BSN, found a new calling to help others in their time of need. The loss of her brother changed her life forever, and now Borden is a heart transplant coordinator at Memorial Hermann Health Systems in Houston, Texas.
Daily Nurse is proud to recognize Jessica Borden as our Nurse of the Week, honoring the 10th anniversary of her brother’s passing and journey to become a transplant coordinator helping heart transplant patients continue their life journey post-transplant.
July 6th marked the 10th anniversary of Borden’s brother’s death and gift of life to his organ recipients. His life (his actual birth) and his death had a profound influence on her nursing career. Borden chose her career as a transplant coordinator after her younger brother died suddenly, and became an organ donor.
Borden remembers when her brother, Jared, was born. She was 12 years old, and his birth impacted her so much that she decided to become a labor and delivery nurse. She fulfilled her childhood dream, and in January 2013, Borden started her nursing career in Wichita Falls as a cardiac nurse. Then, six months later, her brother, then 11 years old, was in a tragic accident while riding a horse and taken to the hospital where she worked, and his heart, lungs, and kidneys were donated to organ recipients.
This moment changed Borden’s life and she became a transplant nurse. She worked at a hospital in Dallas, then for LifeGift, and soon after, she moved to Houston. As a transplant coordinator at Memorial Hermann Health Systems, Borden helps heart transplant patients.
Daily Nurse spoke with Borden about her inspirational nursing journey.
You became a transplant coordinator as a way to honor your brother. Can you talk about the reward you feel working with transplant patients?
Truly the beauty in honoring Jared is my unique perspective from both the donor and recipient sides. Being a donor sister (donor family member), I have sympathized with those who have lost a loved one and support recipients dealing with survivor’s guilt after receiving their gift. I can help facilitate writing letters or the donor family meeting the donor-recipient for the first time. I remember one, especially impactful moment. One of my post-transplant patients gave the donor’s mother an audio recording of her son’s heart beating. I was able to assist with the recording. It was probably the most rewarding moment since working here. It was very emotional, knowing that I had never been in the position to meet Jared’s heart recipient. However, I have 50 heart recipients I get to follow their journeys for the rest of their lives.
What do you like best about being a transplant coordinator?
It brings me great joy to know I am living out my passion and purpose in honor of my brother and honoring my family in what I do. I enjoy watching my patient’s life journey post-transplant. They have a new lease on life. I walk alongside them from when they leave the hospital to the future. The patients are very grateful for their gift, and some go above and beyond to honor it. Some examples are patients who have gone back to further their education by completing a master’s or a PhD program and a patient who competed in the World Transplant Games in tennis and won! I’ve seen patients return to work, travel with their families, and be there when their families grow.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
