About Us

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Chris Shay-Downer, MBA, BSN, RN, CCTC

Chris has been a transplant nurse for greater than 25 yrs. and is a  Nurse Clinical Analyst for CareDx.  She is an active ITNS and TRIO member, has spoken internationally, and is published on a variety of transplant topics.

Christine is currently in the role of Interim Transplant Administrator at University Hospitals Transplant Institute and enjoys being part of innovative new systems and processes to save more lives through transplantation.

Colleen Gerber 

Colleen has lived and breathed donation and transplantation for more than 35 years. As a young woman, she experienced kidney failure and dialysis, but was fortunate to receive a living kidney donation from her sister. Twenty years later, she required a second transplant and was surprised when a perfectly matched deceased donor became available. She has worked at Lifebanc, the area organ recovery agency for more than 24 years.   

Colleen holds a BA degree in Multimedia Communications and certification in Broadcast Communications. She has produced a local radio show for more than twenty years and is currently the host of the Lifebanc podcast, Let’s Talk About Life 

David Engeman

Dave is a heart transplant recipient who spent 6 months in the hospital prior to transplant on a Total Artificial Heart. After Transplant he spent another 3 months in rehab recovering from a difficult transplant. Dave feels that after receiving the gift of life that it is part of his mission as a transplant recipient to do all he can to bring awareness to Organ Donation and that Trio is a wonderful organization to forward that mission  He currently spend time spreading the word about Organ Transplantation by speaking at the local high school to provide awareness to sophomores before they apply for their drivers licenses. He also works with Life Connection of Ohio spreading the word at various events that they sponsor. Dave thinks his perspective on organ donation would bring a different voice to the organization. Dave is married to Rita and is the father of three daughters and grandfather of two. 

Mary Penko

Mary is a liver transplant coordinator at University Hospitals and has been involved in transplantation for 29 years.  She has been on the Board of our local chapter of the International Transplant Nurses Society and a long-term volunteer for the American Liver Foundation serving on the Walk Committee, Team Captain for UH, and the Medical Advisory Committee.  On a personal note, Mary has 3 daughters and a cat!  

If elected, Mary plans to bring her experience to the TRIO Board because she has a passion for transplant, is excited to explore another local organization, and advocates to encourage patient involvement.

Melissa Zatek

Melissa has a master’s in nursing education and has been working in the transplant field for 15+ years.  She is a certified clinical transplant coordinator and certified case manager. She started her career at UPMC as a nurse on the abdominal transplant step down unit. Throughout her time as a transplant nurse, she has held transplant coordinator positions in intestinal transplant, pre-kidney transplant, post-kidney, and liver transplant at UPMC, OSU and UH. 

Melissa has also worked as a transplant case manager for an insurance care management company where she managed patients seeking bone marrow and solid organ transplants. Currently, Melissa is working as a pre/post-transplant coordinator for the pediatric liver and kidney transplant programs at UH.  Melissa is an active member of TRIO Greater Cleveland and was a participant on the Pre-Transplant Coordinator Panel for TRIO in October 2020.  . 

Tammy Brown 

has been in the medical field of nursing for 27 years. She obtained her RN degree in 2009. She then started working at a community hospital as an RN. She worked on the ortho-neuro-tele floor for 4 years. She was a charge nurse and assisted with the schedule. She then went to the ICU and stayed there for approximately 14 years. She was associate manager for three years in the ICU. She then worked for Lifebanc for a year and a half as a procurement transplant coordinator. She loved the transplant world. She returned to ICU for a few more years as a floor nurse, where she was an excellent resource for her coworkers with any Lifebanc patient. Tammy obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing in December of 2021. She then came to CCF and accepted a position as a post-Kidney pancreas transplant coordinator almost a year ago. Tammy has done well with the transplant patients. She always sees how she can help the patients and is a team player. She loves educating the patients and their families.  

Tammy has been a post-transplant kidney coordinator at Cleveland Clinic for about a year. She has been a welcomed addition to the team. She is organized, energetic, and very motivated to promote transplants, and she deeply cares for her transplant patients.

Lynda Corea PT, M.Ed

Lynda knows the joy of receiving and the bittersweet joy of giving. Her son, Mike, received a liver transplant at the age of 13. Nine years later, he was killed while riding his motorcycle. He became one of a handful of people in the U.S. to be an organ recipient and an organ donor. He donated his heart, lungs, corneas, skin, ligaments, tendons, and long bones. Mike’s passion became Lynda’s passion. Lynda volunteers for Lifebanc in several capacities. She has spoken for many organizations throughout the state of Ohio. When Mike passed, Lynda and her family established a scholarship fund at TRIO, awarding 14 $1,000 scholarships. They also established The Michael Allen Corea scholarship fund at Ohio State for organ recipients. 

Greg Friedman 

is a retired High School teacher of computer science, computer programming, accounting, and public speaking. Greg received a heart transplant in January 2020 after a 14-year wait. Learning and educating are part of who he is. Greg has attended most TRIO activities since 2021 and has been working as a speaker for Lifebanc in high schools, informing and advocating for organ, eye, and tissue donation.

After his “Second Chance at Life” Greg promised himself that he would do everything he could to make his life count for something bigger than himself. Greg feels he has proven to be an honorable recipient and a dedicated advocate for transplanted individuals and organ donation. Greg prides himself on being prompt and emphatic about everything he does.

Tonya Gomez 

was determined to live her life. She graduated from Bellevue High School 

and then from The Ohio State University, earning a degree in human ecology with a concentration in dietetics. She worked as a Clinical Nutrition Manager at the Fulton County Health Center.

Tonya was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was just nine months old. Her lung function dropped to 19%. But a gift from a young donor saved her life.

Kristy Hoffman 

is a registered nurse who works as a transplant coordinator in post-lung transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. Kristy has over 20-years of experience as a nurse working in the ICU and close to 10 in lung transplantation. Kristy is experienced and someone who has been consistently recognized for her effort always to put the care and needs of the patient first. Kristy has been a leader in having the exposure and understanding of technology changes and advancement in care delivery methods. She has helped the Cleveland Clinic Transplant Team make changes to provide better services to our patients and caregivers. Kristy has volunteered with her family to assist our transplant patients. Kristy has dedicated her career to providing transplants to more patients than ever. Kristy and her team were vital to the Cleveland Clinic to achieve the most transplants for needy patients in need in 2023 in the United States.

Kristy is an informal Cleveland Clinic leader with nearly ten years of transplant experience. Kristy is highly specialized and skilled at patient care delivery methods. Kristy would be an exceptional member to provide the board with information on trend changes that occur to advance care and resources for transplant patients in this ever-changing environment.  Kristy meets patients “where they are and is a huge advocate, ensuring we offer everything possible to support a successful transplant outcome.

Melissa Putich 

has been a registered nurse for University Hospitals for over 15 years. She has most recently spent the last six years in the transplant field. During her time in transplantation, she has worked with pre-kidney and living donation and will soon be transitioning into the role of pediatric coordinator. Melissa shows a true dedication to her role, as seen by the care she displays to her patients. Melissa enjoys being active, spending time with family and friends, and being with her fur child, Tyson! 

With her professional experience and compassion for her role in transplant, Melissa would be a great asset to the Board. She could provide the knowledge she has gained and share that with others by spreading awareness and providing education about transplantation

Jennifer Clegg - LISW_S 

As a Licensed Social Worker, Jennifer has used her education in the world of kidney disease and dialysis.  Jennifer is the Client Services and Community Manager for the Kidney Foundation of Ohio.  She comes into the role with a deep understanding of kidney disease as a former social worker at Divita Kidney Care.  

However, Jennifer also has a personal connection as a kidney transplant recipient.  Jennifer brings a unique perspective with her education, experience, and personal journey of kidney disease and transplantation.