D. Lee Gorden Archive — Page 1 of 1

John Howser poses with folded arms in a navy suit and blue patterned tie in a modern building interior.
December 20, 2022

Last Christmas, I knew a liver transplant was my only chance to survive. This holiday, I’m alive because of the ultimate gift.

It never leaves my thoughts that someone I don’t know made it possible for me to still be here.

By John Howser
Portrait of a man wearing a black cap and green Carroll Academy Lady Jaguars hoodie, standing indoors in front of large windows.
February 27, 2020

Randy Hatch has dedicated his life to teaching and coaching at-risk young people. After his lifesaving liver transplant, they lined the halls to welcome him back.

His beloved Carroll Academy Jaguars and Lady Jaguars honor him with a message on their shirts: “Donate Life.”

By Matt Batcheldor
Richard and Marsha Hosner pose together indoors, with Marsha standing behind Richard and holding him around the waist.
February 24, 2020

Richard Hosner knew he needed a liver transplant. It turned out he needed a kidney, too. On one amazing day, he received both.

The pair of complex surgeries took 13 hours. When he woke up, he felt like a new person. Since 2011, there have been 38 liver-kidney transplants at VUMC, helping establish Vanderbilt as one of the leading sites in the country for multiple-organ transplants.

By Matt Batcheldor