Malika Thomas

"I'm the first person people talk to when they call the Penn Transplant Institute about a lung transplant. On that first call, we spend a lot of time together. It can last up to an hour as I gather all the information Penn needs to start the transplant evaluation. It's my responsibility to give them realistic expectations regarding the complexity of the transplant process.

To go through a transplant, you need to be strong mentally and physically and ready to fight tooth and nail. It's hard for patients to be diagnosed with progressive lung diseases and then try to live a normal life. That is why I pride myself on helping support them. I commit myself every day to always being genuine, understanding and encouraging.

Lung disease is terrible. Sometimes patients can only speak one word at a time because they are so out of breath. My favorite part of the job is being able to see them laugh and have a normal conversation after their transplant. These are people who I first saw in wheelchairs and now they are running past me in the clinic!

I don't mean to boast, but this is the perfect job for someone like me — I love people, I love talking to them. My job gives me the chance to provide warmth and reassurance to so many people every single day during their most difficult days.

Doing this job really makes me realize how precious life is and reminds me not to take it for granted. I am proud to be able to work with such great people and provide patients with the greatest care in the world."