Velma Thomas

“I started working with the lung and liver teams at Penn Transplant Institute in November 2002 and have been with the kidney/pancreas group since 2005. As a Transplant Data Coordinator, I manage, track, and submit data to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) government agencies. This data reporting is a requirement for all transplant programs across the country. UNOS collects and reports data on every U.S. organ donor, transplant candidate, recipient and outcome to study and advance transplant and help professionals make informed decisions. It is an honor being a piece of this time-sensitive, life-critical data process that is part of how patients are registered on the wait list and matched for organs.

I always wanted to work for Penn Medicine. It’s such a well-known hospital; a staple in the community. Early on, I was allowed to sit in on some medical meetings and patient assessments. It gave me a new perspective on medicine.

I love the people I work with and the opportunities I’ve had–like getting my Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Lincoln University through Penn’s tuition assistance program. I’m always learning new things.

The most difficult part of my job is tracking down information. The government systems we are required to report to have strict deadlines and very specific obligations. The clinical staff is very busy with surgeries and patient visits, so it can take time to get missing information. I’m a stickler for getting the data submitted accurately and on time.

In my personal life, I’m the mother of three adult children and grandmother of two. I love helping my family, and I’m also an ordained pastor for my church. I have a heart for helping people who are ill and disadvantaged.

Here at PTI, I’m entrusted with patients’ sensitive information, which I take very seriously. I also say a quiet prayer for the patients who are very sick or have especially difficult cases. I care about their well-being.”