Beats by Social Work

In this episode, hosts Kristin and Tiffany delve into the taboo topic of sex, highlighting its significance in the lives of solid organ transplant recipients and LVAD patients. They stress the importance of normalizing conversations around intimacy, emphasizing its positive impact on emotional well-being and overall quality of life. Quote : Sex is both healthy and risky because sex connects us”. M...

Today’s episode is one of our off-beat episodes, and we think it is one of our better ones. Kristin and Tiffany talk about their favorite topic… Being a Social Worker, the best and worst parts and all the between. Take a listen to this fun episode where Kristin surprises Tiffany with a different approach to the show flow.  We also mention the Enneagram on today’s episode, we invite you to take the...

On today’s episode Tiffany and Kristin talk about the importance of emergency preparedness planning, especially for patients in: end stage organ failure, pre advanced therapies, post-transplant, and/or post implant. They share stories of their personal experiences helping patients through natural disasters while also navigating their own need. This episode includes resources and information based...

***This episode comes with a trigger warning. We discuss grief, loss, and death. If you are not in a place to listen we invite you to skip and tune in when you are ready or to our next episode *** Today Kristin and Tiffany talk about the heaviness of our work in transplant and LVAD; however really this can pertain to anyone that works with chronic illness, end stage organ failure, transplant and/o...

of medical history from a psychosocial perspective. We dive into the why we look at medical history and how it ties into the psychosocial perspective. This ties into the transplant/lvad social work best practice of: Exploring the patient’s  understanding of transplant process (Comprehension) and assessing for Self-Management with Medical Treatment (Compliance). We of course take some detours along...

In today's episode, we, Kristin and Tiffany, are diving into the world of Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs). These innovative mechanical devices are designed to support individuals facing severe heart failure. LVADs assist the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber, in efficiently circulating blood throughout the body. They can serve as a bridge-to-transplantation for patie...

Join Tiffany and Kristin with exciting guest, Lisa Yoder from Biomatrix Specialty Pharmacy .  "BioMatrix Specialty Pharmacy offers comprehensive nationwide specialty pharmacy services and digital health technology solutions for a range of chronic health conditions. Our growing family of companies unites leaders in the specialty pharmacy industry to improve health and empower patients to experi...

This episode is dedicated to Liz On today’s episode Kristin and Tiffany get to chat with Murphy Swiedals (though in the medical community she is known as Murphy Stidham) as she openly shares her journey through transplant. Murphy received a double lung transplant when she was 24 after being diagnosed with COPA Syndrome at the age of 2. COPA (an inherited mutation in the coatomer subunit alpha gene...

Alisha Hiebert , Liver Recipient and Transplant Lyfe Community Manager joins Tiffany and Kristin as special guest to talk about her experience receiving a Liver transplant and what life has looked like since her transplant. Today a fun fact instead of a quote: You are 6x more likely to need an organ transplant than to become a deceased organ donor American Journal of Transplant “Lifetime probabili...

On today’s episode Tiffany and Kristin get the opportunity to chat with President and CEO of Donate Life America- David Fleming. We talk about the history of Donate Life America, the current state of DLA, and the goals for the future. We also learn more about the Donate Life Logo and symbolism. Over the past 30 years, Donate Life America has driven the efforts to increase organ, eye and tissue don...

Trigger warning: this episode is raw and talks about loss and grief, if you are not in a place to hear that we understand and give you a moment to turn this episode off. We always say we all got into transplant in one way or another and usually there is a personal story associated with it and we as your hosts are no different. So today’s episode we are we are going to switch things up a little bit...

On today’s episode Kristin and Tiffany chat with the President and CEO of Children’s Organ Transplant Association, Rick Lofgren. Rick talks about his over 24 years of stories working within the transplant community. As promised our goal is to humanize the world of transplant/LVAD from a social work perspective as well as provide resources and education. Take a listen to learn more about this organ...

Join Kristin and Tiffany with special guest Kate Lacouture, Outreach Representative with Help Hope Live. Kate is one of the many wonderful contacts at Help Hope Live that help families and social workers in the transplant community. She likes hiking, running, skiing, the beach, concerts, watching the NY Jets and Philadelphia Eagles every Sunday, and spending time with my family and friends. She is...

On today’s episode Kristin and Tiffany are excited to chat with José Ramirez, Jr. and Magdalena Jr. on Hansen's Disease and the impact of facing the stigmatizing nature of disease and chronic illness. Jose and Magdalena are husband and wife but also both social workers who have dedicated their lives to the social work profession and advocating for the chronically ill. We could not think of any...

On today’s episode Tiffany and Kristin continue their discussion on Family System’s Theory as it relates to the world of transplant and LVAD social worker. This is the second part of a multi-part series diving into the importance of exploring the patient’s family history and the impact it may have on patient present day. In this episode we continue to unpack Bowen’s Family Systems Theory. “Deep in...

In today’s episode Kristin and Tiffany had fun chatting with Danielle Coleman and Kim Fryar, two Certified Child Life Specialists from Wonders and Worries. Wonders & Worries provides free, professional support for children and teenagers through a parent’s serious illness, so that they can reach their full potential. Their experts provide the foundation children and teenagers need to reach thei...

Join Kristin and Tiffany as they discuss a classic social work theory: Family Systems Theory and how it is incorporated into the world of transplant/LVAD social work. This will be part one of a multi-part series diving into why transplant and LVAD social workers assess and explore the family of a patient and introduce its important to overall health and wellbeing by incorporating the entire family...

Join us as we interview Nikki Montgomery, Executive Director of Madvocator Educational and Healthcare Advocacy Training. We discuss bias, advocacy and health literacy in the hospital setting.   “Sometimes you have to get a little mad to change the world.” – Nikki Montgomery   This interview does count as credit for credentialing through The Society of Transplant Social Workers (STSW) for your CCTS...

Join Kristin and Tiffany in an off beat episode on advocacy and social work in the world of transplant and LVAD. Be sure to take a look at our website / blog post for additional resources and links mentioned in today's episode. Website: https://beatsbysw.onpodium.com/ Instagram: @beatsbyswpodcast   Email: beatsbysw@gmail.com Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for informatio...

Please note: This episode is one hour in duration and is considered eligible for credentialing credit with The Society of Transplant Social Work for CCTSW and MCS credentialing. If you are interested in receiving the credentialing credit please complete the survey found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6V8WMLT  In today’s episode Kristin and Tiffany had the privilege of interviewing the respected...

On Today's Episode: Kristin and Tiffany chat about Recent STSW Conference. This episode will recap this year’s conference, lessons learned, and benefits of connections. We will share from our perspective individually and collectively. To learn more about this episode, check out the blog post: https://beatsbysw.onpodium.com/blog/episode-5-stsw-conference-recap-980

Second part of our episode where we discuss A Social Worker's perspective on compliance and transplant. Now that we have discussed Social Determinants of Health and introduced Health Literacy, let's take a look at how we assess compliance and the differences between Compliance, Adherence and Concordance.  For more information on this episode, please check out this post: https://beatsbysw.o...

On today’s episode, Tiffany and Kristin introduce Social Determinants of Health and Health Literacy from the perspective of Transplant and LVAD. This is a two part episode as we begin discussing compliance and its importance with Transplant and LVAD.  Some things to consider as you listen along:  What are social determinants of health? Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030 | health.g...

How to get your CCTSW/MCS Credit: We are so excited the Society for Transplant Social Workers has approved us to offer the opportunity for 1 credit towards your CCTSW/MCS certification or recertification. Also, a reminder this is only to be used towards STSW credentialing as this credit is not an approved CEU towards state licensure. To receive a certificate of attendance confirming this credit, p...

Be sure to take a look at our website for additional resources and links. Shoot us an email with your favorite transplant and LVAD victory! We would love to connect with you and celebrate your wins with you! check out our social media platforms:  Email: beatsbysw@gmail.com Website: https://beatsbysw.onpodium.com/ Instagram: @beatsbyswpodcast  On Today's Episode: Kristin and Tiffany chat about...