Home: Programs: Organ & Tissue Donation: About Us - Our Philosophy, Our Team

About Us

Our Philosophy

The Ottawa Hospital is an academic Health Science Centre with a primary mandate to preserve life. It is realized that this is not always possible, and at this time, organ and tissue donation should be considered.

We believe that through government legislation, national standards of practice and increased awareness, those needing life-saving and life-enhancing organ and tissue transplantation may have an improved quality of life.

We believe that the act of donation can benefit a grieving family by providing a sense of hope that something positive has otherwise come from a tragic loss.

We believe families/significant others have the right to make informed decisions regarding organ and tissue donation harmonious with their own values and beliefs. The family will be fully supported in their decision.

By liasing with health care professionals we ensure the donation process is optimized to its potential. We are accountable for improving the donation process. In doing so, we offer support and respect to those who have so graciously given the “Gift of Life”.

Our Team

Medical Director : Dr. G. Pagliarello
Clinical Director : Wendy Fortier
Donor Coordinator - Civic Campus and Heart Institute: Denyse Mercer, RN
Donor Coordinator - General Campus: Stephanie Currie-McCarragher, RN, BScN (C)
Living Donor Coordinator: Haesung Yum
Corneal Retrieval Nurses : Angelina Trovarelli-Jipson ;
Lana Sapozhnikov ; Kerry Smith