Our Team
Steve Pitzer
President | CEOSteve Pitzer comes to Transplant Coordinators of America with nearly 25 years of experience in the organ donation field. He got his start in the field in 1986 as an organ procurement coordinator in the U.S. Air Force. From there, Pitzer was employed with UNOS Organ Center as an organ placement coordinator. He moved to South Carolina in 1993 to take a position as an organ procurement coordinator with the South Carolina Organ Procurement Agency — now known as LifePoint. He was promoted to director of organ recovery in 1998 and as the company grew, he became the vice president of organ recovery.
Robert Koppenaal
VP OperationsRobert began his journey in the transplant field over 13 years ago. He started with Transplant Coordinator of America 6 years ago and has since become a vital role in the development of our operations. His innovative mindset has allowed our organization to become the high-quality service experience your team has come to value and expect. Robert has long understood the transplant center’s need for expeditious accurate information, he was the first to post detailed bronchoscopy videos to Donornet, increasing lung transplants. As one of the first in the OPO field to develop an Advanced Practice Coordinator program, he recognizes the need for streamlining transplant processes. His obvious dedication and passion show in his everyday support of your Transplant Center and the coordinators dedicated to your transplant team.
Gray Granger
Sr. Coordinator/AdvisorGray Granger joined TCOA with more than 20 years of experience as a senior organ placement specialist and CPTC with UNOS. In this role, Granger provided assistance to organ procurement agencies and transplant centers by allocating organs, assisting with transportation and providing input on policy development. He has served as a faculty member at university-sponsored symposiums and other public-speaking venues.
Jessica Hutson
Coordinator3+ yrs Organ Recovery Coordinator TN
Previous: E.D, CCU & Level 1 trauma.
BSN from Belmont University and MHA from Ohio University.
PALS, ACLS, BLS, CPTC.
Samuel Blanchette
Coordinator3 yrs Organ Preservation Specialist 1 yr Tissue recovery coordinator 2 yrs w/ TCOA
Shanna Nimmons
CoordinatorCurrently, Shanna is a dedicated transplant coordinator for our organization. Her background includes, 5 years of experience with an Organ Procurement Organization that included kidney perfusion and organ procurement coordination and 4 years working with physicians and their hospital owned practices to help coordinate and manage day to day operations.
Charity Hagemeier
RN CoordinatorRN, BSN, CPTC - 10 years in Organ Procurement. With TCOA since 2017
Lauren Neal
CoordinatorBS in Nursing and a MBA from Southern Illinois University. 8 years as a Recovery Coordinator with Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis, MO and with TCOA since 2015.
Luann Mitcham
Coordinator
20 yrs CPTC, ABTC
32 yr RN
Rachel Crowe
CoordinatorBA Biology Walsh University, Masters University of Toledo Biological Sciences & Human Donation Sciences. 6 Yrs Tenn Donor Services, and 1 yr with TCOA.
Toni Ashton
CoordinatorOver 6 years with Lifepoint OPO with Nursing degree from Kirkwood Community College. Hospital experience in surgery, ICU, surgical trauma, digestive diseases ICU. Worked with TCOA since 2014.
Laura Anderson
CoordinatorRN 22 years, CPTC (2003), Organ Procurement Coordinator 13 years. Current active critical care RN. With TCOA since 2017
Patrick Silva
CoordinatorDoctor of Medicine from Far Eastern University-NRMF, Philippines & B.A. Psychology. Organ Transplant experience field since 2003 as a triage & recovery coordinator for OPO in St. Louis for 12 years. Has been with TCOA since 2016.
Stacey Chomiuk
CoordinatorOrgan Procurement Coordinator for the Center for Donation & Transplant in Albany, NY. Previous experience in critical care/flight paramedic and 20+ years in EMS. With TCOA since 2017.
Lynette Williams
CoordinatorWorked at Missouri OPO since 2012. With TCOA since 2017. Licensed EMT since 1999, Paramedic since 2002. Paramedic instructor (specialty in ACLS, PALS, and ITLS) with University of Missouri, (K.C). Currently attending school for a Registered Nurse degree by end of 2018. Bachelors in Psychology.
Bridgette Carstensen
CoordinatorB.S & M.S. in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 3+ years experience at the Center for Donation and Transplant NY/VT as both an Organ Procurement Coordinator and a Quality Analyst. With TCOA since 2018.
Shelly Ruzevich-Scholl
Coordinator
St John’s School of Nursing - RN
- 14 years at Vanderbilt University Senior procurement coordinator heart, lungs, liver, pancreas. (Peds & Adults)
- 5 + years as Clinical Trial Specialist with LionHeart LVAS and CorAide & Thoratec Systems
- Transplant nurse manager at UCLA cardio-thorasic transplant dept.
Melissa Smith
CoordinatorGraduated summa cum laude with an A.A.S in Surgical Technology. Experience as an Organ Perfusion Coordinator for LifePoint in SC for 6 years, specializing in kidney Perfusion. Has been a Transplant Coordinator with TCOA since 2012.
Lori Waddell
CoordinatorRN - 13 Years Began in Neuro/ICU Trauma Worked on Donor side of transplant in CA & TN. With TCOA 1 Yr
Thomas (Tommy) Mulligan
CoordinatorBachelors in Nursing 2004 from UCF Masters in Nursing concentration in Education from Walden University 2011 Worked Florida Hospital Cardiac Units 2003-2006 Translife OPO Organ Procurement RN 2007-2009 Mayo Clinic Transplant Center 2010-Present
Jolene Rothe
Coordinator12 years as an RN working in both ER and ICU. Clinical coordinator for an OPO for 3 years. Certified in BLS, ACLS, PALS, previous TNCC, and has obtained her CPTC.
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I don’t know how transplant centers do it without you guys?