2024
Physician’s Award
Alin Gragossian, MD
Dr. Alin Gragossian is an Intensivist with Equum Medical and Associate Medical Director at DNWest. She leads donor management efforts and consults for medical tech companies to improve care for critically ill cardiac patients. Recently appointed Chair of the American Society of Transplantation's Transplant Community Advisory Council, she continues to advance transplant medicine and patient education.
Transplant Recipient Awards
Jennifer Lentini
Jen Lentini, diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at 13, received a life-saving heart transplant in 1996 after months of hospitalization and near-death experiences. Now 40, she celebrates each day as a gift, honoring her donor by advocating for organ donation and embracing life with gratitude and purpose. Read more at heart.org
Donor Family Award
Katrina Erskin
Katrina Erskin will share the powerful story of her 5-week-old son Jaleel, whose organ donations saved two infants’ lives, at the 25th “Remember and Rejoice” service in Manhattan. The event, honoring organ donors and recipients, features emotional stories like Erskin’s and celebrates the life-changing impact of organ donation. Read more at AOL.com
2023
Dr. Marcus Pereira Physicians Award
Dr. Marcus Pereira, Medical Director of the Transplant Infectious Disease Program at Columbia, has advanced care for transplant recipients and led crucial patient education during the C-19 pandemic. His wife, Dr. Elizabeth Verna, is an expert in end-stage liver disease and liver transplantation at the Columbia Transplant Clinical Research Center.
Russ Tisman Recipient Award
We are proud to honor Russ Tisman, a tireless supporter of the transplant community since receiving his life-saving heart transplant 14 years ago. He has volunteered with organizations like LiveOn New York, TRIO, and Harboring Hearts, while also providing pro bono legal services and enjoying a fulfilling family life.
Mark & Lynn Scotch Donor Family Award
Mark and Lynn Scotch are being honored for their selfless kidney donations through a voucher program and Mark's recent double organ donation to save a child. Together, they formed The Organ Trail, biking across the country to raise awareness and support for the transplant community.
Brian Vaske Hearts for Russ Award
For our 10th anniversary, we proudly present the Hearts for Russ Award to Brian Vaske, CEO of ITI Data, for his unwavering support since our founding in 2014. A cancer survivor and dedicated philanthropist, Brian has been vital to our success and actively supports other organizations like Only Make Believe, NPower, and the University of Nebraska.
2022
Dr. Kasi McCune Physician Award
Dr. McCune, Surgical Director of the Pancreas Transplant Program at Columbia-Presbyterian, has advanced pancreas and kidney transplantation research. She and 2022 Recipient Awardee Jen Benson are recognized for their strong patient-doctor bond and shared advocacy for organ donation.
Brenda E. Cortez Donor Family Award
Since donating her kidney 17 years ago, Brenda has viewed her donation as a gift to herself as much as to the recipient. She has dedicated her life to spreading awareness through writing, including the Howl the Owl®️ children's book series and her 2021 book Because of Organ Donation, with a second book featuring pediatric transplant stories coming in 2023. brendacortez.com
Jen Benson Recipient Award
Jen, a kidney and pancreas transplant recipient, was so transformed by her 7-year journey to a life-saving transplant that she now dedicates her efforts to supporting patients and families facing organ transplants. She founded The Transplant Journey, a non-profit empowering individuals with knowledge and guidance, and has inspired many transplant recipients to give back. transplantjourney.org
2021
Dr. Linda Addonizio
Physician Award
Dr. Addonizio pioneered the pediatric transplant program at Columbia-Presbyterian and later directed Pediatric Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Transplantation at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. She has had a lasting impact on children and families, with decades of dedication to the transplant community.
The Miller Family Donor Family Award
After the sudden passing of Laura Miller in 2009, Sara and Susan turned their tragedy into action and advocacy. Sara founded Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA), with chapters nationwide, while Susan wrote the inspiring book Permission to Thrive: My Journey from Grief to Growth.
Glenda Daggert & Ira Cooperman Recipient Award
Glenda and Ira have been advocates for organ donation for over 20 years since Glenda’s kidney/pancreas transplant in 1999. Their leadership in organ donation organizations has saved lives and made a significant impact.
2020
Dr. Robert Montgomery
Physician Award
Dr. Robert A. Montgomery, Chairman of Surgery at NYU Langone Health, receives the Physician Award for his work in kidney transplants and advocacy for Hepatitis C-positive donor transplants. He also supports organ donation awareness and post-transplant care through organizations like Long Island TRIO.
Bill & Ann Corbett Donor Family Award
The Donor Family Award goes to William and Ann Corbett of Floral Park, NY. After Judge Corbett faced kidney failure, Ann donated a kidney to him, and they continued to thrive until his passing in 2023, exemplifying love, devotion, and community service.
Chris Klug
Recipient Award
Chris Klug, a three-time Olympic snowboarder and liver transplant recipient, will receive the Recipient Award. After his transplant, he won a bronze medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics and founded the Chris Klug Foundation to promote organ donation and healthy post-transplant living.
2019
Dr. Frank Darras Physician Award
Dr. Darras is the medical director of Stony Brook University Hospital's kidney transplant program and a recognized leader in kidney transplantation. In 2019, he successfully transplanted a kidney into New York Mets legend Ed Kranepool.
The Cutinella Family
Donor Family Award
After their son Thomas tragically passed at 16, his giving spirit lives on through organ donation, saving several lives. The Cutinella family honors him with a foundation that provides scholarships and supports organ donation registration. Tom54 Foundation
Roxanne Watson
Recipient Award
Since receiving her heart in 2010, Roxanne Watson has become a strong advocate for organ donation, inspiring over 10,000 New Yorkers to join the registry. She hosts "Michael's Gifts" every Wednesday morning on WRCR AM 1700, using her platform to amplify the voices of transplant patients.
2018
Dr. Lewis Tepperman Physician Award
Dr. Tepperman is Vice-Chair of Surgery and Director of Organ Transplantation at Northwell Health, and a Professor at the Zucker School of Medicine. He has dedicated his career to improving transplant outcomes and advancing transplant education.
Christine & Myles Macchio Donor Family Award
Christine Macchio will accept the Donor Family Award on behalf of her late husband, Myles Macchio, who passed away in March 2018. Known for his kindness and love of life, Myles continues to help others as an organ donor.
Jeff Fenn Recipient Award
Multiple kidney recipient Jeff Fenn has dedicated his life post transplant to important causes such as Long Island TRIO. Jeff has led TRIO's School Education program since 2010 and his advocacy for organ donation registry has reached over 60,000 youth.
2017
Dr. Warren Zuckerman Physician Award
Dr. Zuckerman is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia, specializing in pediatric heart failure and transplantation. Inspired by a young patient, Lauren Shields, he now dedicates his career to helping children with advanced heart conditions through the transplant process and recovery.
James Mateiko Donor Family Award
Hearts for Russ honors James Mateiko, a longtime organ donation advocate who has dedicated over 12 years to honoring his mother, Theo. A donor son and active member of LI TRIO, he raises awareness through advocacy, events, and community involvement.
Lauren Shields Recipient Award
After receiving a life-saving heart transplant in 2009, Lauren became a leading advocate for organ donation, helping pass “Lauren’s Law” in New York. She continues to promote organ and blood donation through statewide campaigns, public speaking, and partnerships with major health organizations.
