Dr. Melissa Red Hoffman describes a traumatic experience involving a patient who suffered a hanging and was left with a devastating brain injury. Despite a grim prognosis, the patient’s family chose to proceed with organ donation after cardiac death (DCD). Dr. Hoffman shares her experience of guiding the family through this process, acting as an interpreter and tour guide in the unfamiliar territory of the operating room. She reflects on the emotional complexity of being a surgeon, holding space for both life and death, science and miracles. Through the “dance of donation,” Dr. Hoffman navigates the delicate balance of honoring autonomy, supporting families, and facilitating organ donation.
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The Dance of Donation
