Educator and Heart Transplant Recipient: A Professor's Path to Organ Transplant and Advocacy

Dr. Stephen Oross, a heart transplant recipient and psychology professor at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, shared his journey from having a heart attack to receiving a life-saving heart transplant. He had a widowmaker heart attack in 2014 and later developed complications, including an allergic reaction to a blood thinner and nerve damage in his legs. Over time, his heart's function deteriorated to a critical level, leading to the need for a transplant.

In 2020, Dr. Oross's health took a drastic turn. He experienced extreme fatigue, difficulty staying awake, and heart arrhythmias that resulted in shocks from his implanted defibrillator. Realizing the severity of his condition, he sought reevaluation for a heart transplant, a process that involved extensive testing, cancer screenings, and pressure measurements over several weeks.

The process of becoming a transplant candidate was emotionally challenging. Initially, he was told he might not qualify for a transplant, and the uncertainty took an emotional toll. After multiple evaluations and tests, he was placed on the national waiting list for a heart transplant. Fortunately, he received a heart just four days after being listed, given his high priority due to his severe heart damage and blood type. On February 25, 2020, he underwent a heart transplant surgery that saved his life.

Dr. Oross highlighted the emotional roller coaster of the transplant evaluation process, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions, which limited only one visitor during his stay in the hospital. He emphasized a major coping mechanism for emotional stress is through music, particularly enjoying songs from his children. Humorously, Dr. Oross shared that he had requested to play the song “Please Don’t Bury Me” by John Prine during his operation, as a lighthearted way to relieve stress.

Regarding organ donation, Dr. Oross had prior knowledge due to his background in physiological psychology and health psychology. He highlighted the importance of educating oneself about organ donation and expressed support for being an organ donor, as it saved his life.

Dr. Oross's story extended beyond his transplant journey. He discussed his advocacy for remote work accommodations for educators with health conditions. When he returned to work post-transplant, his university initially denied his request for remote teaching due to the pandemic. Dr. Oross fought against this decision, leading to an ongoing legal battle where he achieved an important win, setting an example for others facing similar challenges. He emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach to education that recognizes the potential of technology to accommodate health concerns without imposing undue burdens.

In conclusion, Dr. Stephen Oross shared his profound experiences as a heart transplant recipient and educator, emphasizing the importance of organ donation, advocating for people with health conditions, and the potential for technology to create inclusive educational environments for all.