#IAmSTA: Honoring Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the women who make a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond. This month, we’re spotlighting some of the incredible women at STA whose compassion, leadership, and dedication advance our mission and help make the gift of organ donation possible: Michaela Coonce, Rachael James, Tori Theobalt, Niki Ogden, and Jenna Milinsky.

Michaela Coonce, Hospital Services Coordinator

Michaela always knew growing up that she wanted to help others. Before joining STA, she worked as a respiratory therapist for eight years, where she grew in more ways than one. Not only did she develop strong clinical skills, but also compassion — a trait she still carries with her today in her role as Hospital Services Coordinator at STA.

Michaela serves as a liaison between STA and our hospital partners, building strong relationships across STA’s service area. 

For Michaela, organ donation is not just a part of her work, but it’s a gift that gives greater meaning to what she does each day. Her childhood best friend’s sister became an organ donor after passing away in a car accident. Her family found comfort in knowing that she was able to provide a second chance at life for others.

“They were able to find hope through their grief because she was able to be an organ donor,” she says. “Especially working in this job, I’m able to see how meaningful it is for them to see her legacy live on.”

Through both her personal connection to organ donation and her work in the organ donation field, Michaela has experienced just how impactful organ donation is.

Rachael James, Supervisor of Clinical Response

As Supervisor of Clinical Response, Rachael supports and mentors clinical staff, evaluates the potential for organ donation, ensures regulatory and clinical compliance, coordinates with hospitals and health care team members, and helps guide complex referral cases.

With over 13 years of experience in the OPO industry—and more than a decade as an EMT-Paramedic—Rachael is no stranger to handling high-pressure situations and supporting families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. 

Her passion for the mission of organ donation is deeply personal. She has experienced the process from multiple perspectives—as a birth tissue donor, a transplant recipient family member twice, and a donor family member twice. This has given her a personal understanding of the impact organ donation has on families. 

“Supporting donor families as they honor their loved one’s legacy while helping recipients receive life-saving transplants is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “I also find great meaning in encouraging and training the next generation of donation professionals, helping them develop the compassion, knowledge, and dedication needed to continue this important work.”

Tori Theobalt, Supervisor of Organ Recovery Coordinators

Before stepping into her role at STA, Tori had already been shaped by experiences that would guide her to the organ recovery field. Tori worked as a respiratory therapist in the trauma ICU, and during this time, she had some patients who progressed to brain death and became organ donors. Witnessing these experiences made her realize that she wanted something different and inspired her to apply to STA.

She started at STA as an organ recovery coordinator and learned about the processes and the role itself. Over time, she stepped into the role of clinical educator, where she trained organ recovery coordinators. She recently became a Supervisor of Organ Recovery Coordinators.

Her story comes full circle through her own experience as a tissue recipient. She tore her ACL a few times while playing soccer in college, and she received a donated ACL tissue graft — something that she now truly understands the significance of after working in the field.

“Looking back, I understand that, you know, it wasn't just tissue,” she says. “I now understand everything that had to happen in the background for me to even have the opportunity to have a tissue graft, and it really affected my life and helped me to still play college soccer.”

Niki Ogden, Funeral Home Liaison

As Funeral Home Liaison, Niki serves as the bridge between funeral homes and Southwest Transplant Alliance, ensuring alignment, communication, and accountability between both entities. An integral part of her work is to educate funeral homes on the donation process, with particular emphasis on tissue donation. She also educates STA’s teams on best practices for engaging with funeral homes.

With a background in both mortuary service and tissue procurement, Niki brings not only expertise but deep empathy to the work that she does.

“I take the time to listen to understand—not to judge—so I can identify the needs and concerns of the funeral home,” she says. “When funeral homes feel heard and respected, they are far more willing to grant access, provide support, and strengthen partnership outcomes.”

Niki sees firsthand how donation can transform grief into purpose. She recalls a moment when a funeral home hesitated to proceed with tissue donation due to concerns about how their decedent would appear for the family’s final viewing. Niki walked them through the recovery and reconstruction process with transparency and care. The family later expressed gratitude that their loved one was able to help others.

“In that moment, I was reminded that this work is sacred,” she says. “It lives in the space between grief and generosity. We are entrusted with someone’s final act of kindness, and when done with care and integrity, it allows families to see not just loss, but legacy.”

Jenna Milinsky, Organ Recovery Coordinator

From the initial evaluation of potential organ donors to coordinating every detail of the organ recovery process, Jenna’s work touches nearly every step of the organ donation process. As an organ recovery coordinator, Jenna is responsible for potential donor referrals, donor evaluation, the authorization process, and comprehensive donor management.

Before joining STA, Jenna worked as a paramedic, where she often cared for children waiting for organ transplants. One of her first organ recovery cases was a 15-year-old lung recipient.

“Thinking about how that mom felt when she got that call, knowing how much it was going to change her child's life felt really meaningful,” she says. 

What makes her job so impactful is knowing that transplant recipients are getting a new opportunity to live their lives and spend more time with their loved ones. 

Each of these stories is a powerful reminder that behind the gift of organ donation is a team of compassionate individuals committed to making a difference in people’s lives. Through their care and dedication, these women help ensure that every life saved is a legacy worth honoring.