Future Healthcare Professionals Explore Organ Donation at Southwest Transplant Alliance Through 2025 Student Residency Program
Every summer, Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA) welcomes North Texas high school and incoming college students to its annual Student Residency Program—a three-day learning experience that brings the world of organ and tissue donation to life. Through immersive activities, interaction with donation professionals, and powerful storytelling, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how organ donation works and leave inspired by the gift of life.
Real-World Learning
A key part of the learning program takes place at STA’s state-of-the-art Legacy Center, where students deepen their understanding of the donation process. There, participants visit the Hillcrest Simulation and Learning Lab, where they learn about conducting a physical assessment and have an opportunity to examine human organs which have been generously donated for educational purposes. They also get hands-on experience in STA’s Clinical Laboratory observing various biological components. Experiences such as these allow abstract concepts to become tangible lessons. Emily, one of the student participants, shared her excitement, “Holding the organs was so cool! I thought that I would never get the chance to hold a human organ in my own hands or even see red blood cells, plasma, lymphocytes—that was really my favorite part.”
The Power of Collaboration
The residency also underscores the vital collaboration across all STA departments that makes donation possible. Through panel discussions and interactive simulations, students engaged with professionals from a wide range of clinical and non-clinical areas. These experiences offered a realistic view of the many roles involved in the donation process, as well as highlighted the compassion and coordination at the heart of STA’s lifesaving mission.
Prisha, reflecting on her experience, said, “The student residency program at STA was a very fun experience with a lot of informational sessions. Getting to hear from people that work here was a big highlight, and just seeing the amount of work that goes into organ donation was so informative.”
Transforming Education to Advocacy
Hearing the powerful testimonies from those directly impacted by STA’s work is just as meaningful as learning about the team’s day-to-day responsibilities. Lashon Berry shared her journey of receiving a double lung transplant to combat end-stage pulmonary fibrosis. Reflecting on how organ donation has transformed her life, Lashon told the students, “Organ donation not only has given me more memories and extended my time here with my family, but it has also given me a deeper appreciation for life.”
The program culminates with a student-led project aimed at transforming education into advocacy. They're challenged to create a public service announcement encouraging others to learn more and register as an organ donor—using formats like videos, skits, or presentations to share their message in a meaningful way. Emily summed up the program’s overall impact, “Learning about how one donor’s decision can help the lives of eight other people and witnessing how selfless donors are is really heartwarming. I really enjoyed being part of the program because I realized that I want to go into the medical field in my future."
STA’s Student Residency Program continues to grow as a prioritized initiative born from the vision of STA’s Community Engagement team. By combining education, donation testimonies, and real-world experience, it equips young leaders to carry forward the mission of organ and tissue donation—saving lives today and in the future.
To explore how STA is empowering the next generation through youth-focused initiatives, visit https://www.organ.org/youth-outreach.