Erika Friedmann
Bellmore,NY
Summary
Organ Donation Specialist with extensive experience in organ procurement and social work. Expertise in fostering collaboration among healthcare teams and promoting organ donation initiatives. Demonstrated success in developing care plans, managing referrals, and achieving occupancy targets through effective relationship-building and organizational skills. Holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Sociology, enhancing analytical and interpersonal capabilities.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Case Development Coordinator
LiveOnNY
Long Island City
02.2023 - 11.2025
- Evaluated and managed incoming referrals from hospitals for potential organ and tissue donation.
- Provided customer service and maintained effective communication with hospital staff to facilitate donation opportunities.
- Collaborated with hospital healthcare teams to support and move the donation process forward.
- Monitored the clinical management of critically ill patients to maximize organ donation potential.
- Ensured thorough and accurate documentation of all processes and adhered to quality assurance standards.
Donor Evaluation Coordinator
LiveOnNY
Long Island City
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Responded to referrals from hospitals and evaluated potential donors for medical suitability based on established national policies and medical criteria.
- Discussed organ and tissue donation with potential donor families in a compassionate and respectful manner, and obtained informed consent.
- Collaborated with hospital staff, transplant centers, surgeons, and recovery teams to manage the logistics of the donation process.
- Conducted detailed, sensitive medical-social history interviews with the donor family.
Family Services Coordinator
LiveOnNY
Long Island City
01.2011 - 01.2020
- Offered empathetic and compassionate support to potential donor families, navigating the acute grief process, providing a non-judgemental space for emotional expression.
- Educated potential donor families regarding the organ and tissue donation process, ensuring transparency and clarity regarding medical procedures and timelines.
- Obtained legal authorization for organ and tissue donation through compassionate, informed discussions with grieving families, adhering to all state and federal regulations and documented all authorization discussions and paperwork meticulously in the electronic donor database, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Facilitated open dialogue with families, physicians, and clinical staff to ensure a shared understanding of the donation pathway.
Hospital and Family Services Coordinator
LiveOnNY
Long Island City
11.2008 - 01.2011
- Cultivated strong relationships with hospital staff to foster advocacy and support for the donation process.
- Identified and addressed barriers to organ and tissue donation in assigned hospitals to increase donation rates.
- Utilized data analysis to identify system issues, developed strategic plans, and implemented best practices to maximize donor potential.
- Provided ongoing, tailored education and training to hospital staff on donation protocols, regulatory requirements, and effective communication strategies for potential donor families.
- Planned, organized, and lead regular meetings of the hospital donation council, which included a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, nurses, administrators and other healthcare professionals.
Social Worker
Glen Cove Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation
Glen Cove
09.2006 - 11.2008
- Social Work responsibilities as above.
Director of Admissions
Long Island Care Center
Flushing
01.2005 - 10.2006
- Achieved and maintained facility census goals and annual budgeted projections, ensuring optimal occupancy rates.
- Cultivated strong, ongoing relationships with numerous key referral sources, including hospitals, physicians, insurers, and case management companies, to drive consistent admissions.
- Organized and led facility tours and community outreach events, effectively representing the center's features and benefits to prospective residents and their families.
- Verified insurance and financial information, including assistance with Medicaid applications for potential residents.
Social Worker
Long Island Care Center
Flushing
11.2000 - 12.2004
- Intake and orientation to placement for residents and their families.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
- Coordination of discharge planning for short term rehabilitation patients.
- Member of Ethics Committee.
- Participation in JCAHO accreditation and survey process.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Psychology, Sociology
State University of New York at Albany
Albany, New York06.2000
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Analytical Reasoning
- Strong Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Tolerant
- Flexible
- Organization
- Prioritization
Timeline
Case Development Coordinator
LiveOnNY
02.2023 - 11.2025
Donor Evaluation Coordinator
LiveOnNY
01.2020 - 01.2023
Family Services Coordinator
LiveOnNY
01.2011 - 01.2020
Hospital and Family Services Coordinator
LiveOnNY
11.2008 - 01.2011
Social Worker
Glen Cove Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation
09.2006 - 11.2008
Director of Admissions
Long Island Care Center
01.2005 - 10.2006
Social Worker
Long Island Care Center
11.2000 - 12.2004
Bachelor's Degree - Psychology, Sociology
State University of New York at Albany