Andria received a life-saving liver transplant at just 11 years old and now is turning her “personal experience into a professional passion” as a lung transplant social worker at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. For National Social Work Month, we interviewed Andria to learn more about her role and experience as a transplant social worker, as well has how people like her support transplant patients and families at the House. Read below to learn more about Andria!

Question 1: What are the key ways you support transplant patients and their families throughout the transplant process?

Andria: We see the patients through their entire journey. We evaluate our patients pre-transplant, we meet with their families and support people and ensure they have adequate support from a post-transplant perspective. We talk through what post-transplant would look like, the different things that they’re going to need, and if they live further away, then what their relocation plan would be. Post-transplant, our role is to provide emotional support at the bedside to the patients and their family at least once a week and just be a familiar face. We also assist them with practical needs such as lodging, transportation, financial resources, and also help them to navigate the medical system and transplant process. Lastly, I just help connect patients with support groups, community resources, local therapists and other supportive resources.

Question 2: You had a liver transplant as a child—how did that experience shape your decision to become a transplant social worker?

Andria: Going through a liver transplant as a child deeply impacted me and shaped my career path. It gave me firsthand insight into the emotional, physical, and logistical challenges transplant patients and their families face. The support of my family, medical team, and others helped me then and continues to now and their compassion left a lasting impression, inspiring me to provide the same support to others. I always knew I wanted a healthcare career as a way to give back, and discovering social work was the perfect avenue to allow me to do this. It allows me to walk alongside the patients or families, helping them navigate the complex and very overwhelming journey of transplantation. Being able to turn my personal experience into a professional passion has been incredibly rewarding.

Question 3: What are some common challenges transplant patients and families face, and how can a transplant social worker help navigate them?

Andria: The transplant journey is a big emotional strain so we try to provide emotional support and connect patients with others facing the same challenges. Transplant can be difficult to watch loved ones experience, so we also help to manage the caregiver stress and offer support and resources to the families as well. We try and be the advocate for families, connecting them with different supportive resources at the hospital and guiding them through challenges. Financial strain is common challenge, so we assist them with applying for financial aid and grants. We also help patients understand the complex transplant process and follow-up care and ensure that they have the adequate support to continue their journey post-transplant.

Question 4: Can you explain how you have worked with the House in the past and why maintaining that relationship between our organizations is so important?

We work with the House a lot. We have a lot of patients that stay there that might need a little extra emotional assistance, so we coordinate with Talia and Mia when they meet with patients and caregivers as they go through the process. We also hear so much about the dinners at the House, we know that having a warm meal each night has such a big impact on our patients. The financial assistance the House gives to some of our patients as well has been a huge support, so we just appreciate everything. We work with a lot of different organizations, and working together with places like the House just helps us to give patients the most successful outcomes we can.

Question 5: What do you enjoy most about your role as a social worker?

I enjoy being able to provide the support to patients and families and to hear about their journey. They often come to us incredibly sick and being able to see them get transplanted and be successful is very rewarding. I also love being able to work in a field that I’m passionate about, and that’s so close to home and has been a part of my life since forever. 

Question 6: How did you get involved in social work?

I learned about the social work career through a presentation at school for career day. I specifically learned more about hospital social work partially through the House actually. My family would sometimes come to cook brunch at the House, and I learned through meeting Talia that there were avenues of social work outside of the regular types you would think of, and from there I was able to dive into it.

Question 7: What do you like to outside of work?

My family has a house in Ocean City, NJ and we spend a lot of time there. I’m very involved in my church, they supported us in many ways throughout my transplant journey and I stay very involved there. I like reading, spending time with family and friends, and I love Broadway musicals and watching the Phillies play!