Advocacy & Education

Inspiring Future Healthcare Professionals: LifeGift Hosts CompassRN Students

April 4, 2025

On March 31st, LifeGift’s Institute for the Future of Transplantation (LIFT) team hosted a hands-on workshop for nine CompassRN students. CompassRN, a Houston-based, nurse-led nonprofit, is dedicated to guiding teens and young adults from underserved communities into nursing careers. This half-day training introduced students to essential skills and knowledge required for performing physical assessments on organ donors.

Jordan Gadreault, RN, BSN, CPTC, LifeGift’s manager of organ clinical operations, shared how her experience as a registered nurse led her to a career in organ donation and transplantation. Passionate about education, she provided students with valuable insights to help prepare them for their future in healthcare.

The workshop featured three interactive training stations, each led by LifeGift’s expert facilitators:

• Simulation Scenario: “The Race to Save Lives” – An immersive escape room experience that simulates real-world donor management.
• Auscultation Station – Teaching students how to assess heart and lung sounds.
• Kidney Wet Lab – Offering a closer look at kidney function and recovery procedures.

Facilitators included Rodney Cruz, RRT, CPTC, manager of the LIFT Simulation Center; Javier Nieto, MD, abdominal organ recovery surgeon; Susana Muchado, surgical recovery & staff development trainer and Chassidity McDonald, CST, CTP, surgical recovery & staff development trainer.

Following the hands-on training, students participated in a lunch & learn discussion, featuring Woodlhey Ambroise, MSHA, MBA, RRT, RCP, CPTC, LifeGift’s director of organ operations and surgical recovery. Ambroise shared insights into LifeGift’s mission and explored various career opportunities in healthcare.

“Our team was thrilled to provide this interactive experience for the CompassRN students,” says Cruz. “They were eager to learn, engaged in every activity and asked great questions.”

“It was a privilege to collaborate with LifeGift and introduce students to the world of organ transplantation,” shares Renée Omoyeni, MS, BSN, RN, CompassRN founder and executive director. “Our goal is to provide aspiring healthcare professionals early exposure to diverse nursing specialties, and this partnership provided invaluable insights into careers in organ transplantation.”

The LIFT SIM Center team is excited to expand its training initiatives to other organizations, reinforcing LifeGift’s commitment to enhancing education and strengthening the skills of future healthcare professionals.