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We’re shifting the care paradigm

for organ patients transplant patients living organ donors chronically ill patients

WELCOME

We are a collective of transplant doulas who are working to bridge the gaps along the organ failure / transplant care continuum.

We are—first and foremost—the first and only training hub that offers a comprehensive core course all about the role of a transplant doula. We also offer ongoing training across a myriad of subject matters that will support your growth as a practicing doula, and hybrid coaching that is both group and one-on-one.

But we are also advocates for the transplant doula in the transplant field. We see the power of holistic support being added to the transplant journey, and we’re redefining what a successful and supportive interdisciplinary team can look like—all while setting the highest possible standards for transplant doula ethics.

THE BIG PICTURE

In our vision, transplant doulas are a valued part of the transplant team—and they are an accessible branch of support for all transplant patients and living organ donors alike.

At the heart of doula work is the ability to provide emotional, physical, spiritual, and practical support.

For centuries, birth doulas have supported expecting mothers, and death doulas have supported dying individuals. Recently, studies have been done to measure the impact doula work has on the client’s overall experience and the results were impressive.

  • If doula-assisted mothers had healthier babies, fewer birth complications, and positive overall experiences…
  • If doula-assisted individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness felt supported and better equipped to arrange their life affairs…
  • If doula-assisted families felt less stress and knew what to expect…

Then it makes sense that doulas could provide a needed branch of support through the entire patient journey for organ failure, transplantation, and even living organ donation.

This concept didn’t exist (or so Google says) before I introduced this body of work. Now, we are on a mission to see to it that every transplant patient can have access to a transplant doula if they choose.

We are committed to setting the bar exceptionally high for transplant doula instruction. We also understand the responsibility we’ve taken on by introducing the concept of transplant doulas to the medical world—and we’re working hard to advocate for transplant doulas to become recognized members of the transplant team.

We’re incredibly grateful you’re here and look forward to welcoming you to our network!

CORE VALUES

DISCERNMENT
We take time to reflect on what we learn and our experiences. We take what we need and we leave the rest.
AUTONOMY
We are each responsible for ourselves.
TRUST
We demonstrate unequivocal trust in the people we support.
COMPASSION
We believe compassion is the medicine everyone needs.
TRUTH
We ask those we work with to be courageous in speaking their truth.
ACCURACY
We aim for factual, accurate information when we are called to educate.
NO PROJECTION
We work to support doulas in learning how to show up with no agenda, and no projection of their own experience onto a client’s. 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Equipping transplant doulas with the highest standard of training, resources, and networking opportunities.

Enhancing the organ transplantation experience with essential skills and knowledge sharing.

Defining roles and competencies, and providing ethical guidance for transplant doulas.

Fostering synergy, credibility, and building value through partnerships with organ transplantation experts and organizations.

Proactively and creatively addressing issues affecting transplant doulas’ effectiveness and success within the transplant industry.

Acting as a central resource hub for transplant doulas, patients, and care circles.

Committing to amplifying diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within this industry.

Advocating for the recognition and integration of transplant doulas within the field of transplantation.

How will we know we’ve been successful?
When transplant patients are told about transplant doulas; when transplant doulas are a recognized and valued part of the transplant team; when the world no longer asks, “What is a transplant doula?” but instead asks, “How do I choose the transplant doula who is right for me?

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Why does this new model of doula care exist?

The soul of The Transplant Doula™ is my sister, Tammi Lee. Please read about our first initiative, the TAMMI Program, here.

Transplant 
Advocacy &
Meaningful
Multidisciplinary
Integration.
Founder, Michelle

My name is Michelle Montgomery. My journey as a doula and coach began with end-of-life training by Alua Arthur at Going with Grace in February of 2022. Prior to that, I was a marketing strategist and designer for over a decade. Drawing from my experience with my sister, I saw the connection between doula support and the transplant journey. The result is what you see here. 💛

Legacy, Tammi

Not long after she turned 30, a virus infected my sister’s heart, and as a result, she was given an LVAD device as a bridge to transplant. She died on May 6, 2012, a few days shy of her 32nd birthday, within 48 hours of a heart transplant due to a surgical complication. I wish I’d known then what I know now. Her memory drives everything in this program forward; this is her legacy.

Guidance & Coaching

We offer a lot of information coupled with self-reflection and exploration—but this is not a one-size-fits-all. The beauty in doula work is how tailored it is to who you are, and what you stand for. Our group and one-on-one coaching (both included with membership!) are designed to help you gain clarity, deepen your doula practice, and see sustainable growth in your doula career.

A New Model of Care

While she was waiting for a transplant, Tammi and I had been working on an idea called the Young Canadian Heart Transplant Project: a peer-to-peer online support group. The project never got off the ground: she died and grief had a lot to teach me.  10 years later, the pieces snapped together when I became a death doula. The term “transplant doula” didn’t exist—but now, our members are changing that.

Building Awareness

We are working diligently to present the concept of transplant doulas to healthcare institutions, policymakers, community organizations, and transplant industry leaders in an effort to advocate for a paradigm shift in transplant care—one that prioritizes the holistic, non-medical well-being of transplant patients, living organ donors, and their care circles.

Trusted Resource

We’re setting the highest possible standards as a baseline for transplant doula work by not only by ensuring that our content is regularly revised and updated—but by prioritizing our member feedback. This is how we will craft the best model of care for organ failure patients, donors, and their care circles. A rising tide truly lifts all boats. We are successful because we lean on, and learn from, one another.

✨

Fall Enrollment Starts September 15, 2024!

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