Gwen McNatt, PhD, MS, CNN

Specialty: 
Transplant Administration and Nurse Practitioner
Graduated From: 
University of Iowa undergrad, NP/MS – University of Illinois, Chicago, PhD – Loyola University Chicago
Current Position: 
Director, Operations, Northwestern Memorial Hospital Organ Transplant Program; Assistant Professor of Surgery, Northwestern University
Current Projects: 
PI on a nursing research project looking at use of animal assisted activities in the MICU,  several process improvement projects, immediate past chair of Transplant Admin/Quality COP
What made you decide to work in transplantation?: 
I was actually interested in teaching home dialysis but ended up on a renal transplant floor after I graduated and I fell in love with the miracle of transplantation.
What do you find to be the most valuable aspect of your work?: 
I see living donors post donation. I enjoy patient contact.  I also enjoy mentoring new leaders in the organization.
How have you served AST?: 
I have been on the exec committee of the Tx/QA  COP for (I think) 7 years due to some early departures of other leaders.  I appreciate the networking opportunities and the relationships that I have established.  I am very interested in influencing regulatory policy and AST has given me great opportunities in that arena.
Fun Facts: 
I am a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan, particularly football. I attend almost every game, home and away.  I had a 13 year plus streak of not missing a game until last fall when I had to miss a game to be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing.  Go Hawks!