Parkland transplant coordinator helps patients reclaim their lives
Nationally recognized program driven by compassion, education, second chances
When Parkland Health was recently named one of the top-performing kidney transplant centers in the nation, it reflected more than exceptional clinical outcomes, it highlighted the people who guide patients through one of the most difficult and life-changing journeys of their lives.
For Brenda Molina, BSN, RN, that journey comes full circle.
As a transplant coordinator at Parkland, Molina helps patients navigate every step of the transplant process, from the moment they are referred to the program through evaluation, education and ultimately, the possibility of a life-saving transplant. But her connection to these patients often begins long before they arrive at Parkland.
“I’ve seen patients at every stage,” Molina said. “From when they’re first diagnosed, to dialysis, to getting on the transplant list and then finally getting transplanted. It’s a complete circle.”
Molina’s career began working with patients with chronic kidney disease, where she saw firsthand the physical and emotional toll of the diagnosis. Many patients, she said, are overwhelmed when they learn their kidneys are failing and they must choose between dialysis or transplant.
“It’s very emotional,” she said. “You’re telling someone there’s no going back. Now they have to decide what comes next.”
Today, Molina plays a critical role in helping patients understand those next steps. As one of the first points of contact in Parkland’s transplant program, she works closely with patients and their families to explain their condition, outline treatment options and prepare them for what lies ahead.
“A lot of patients don’t know much about kidney disease much less transplant,” she said. “Our role is to educate them, to help them understand what this means physically, emotionally, and for their families.”
That education is essential not only to help patients make informed decisions, but also to ensure they are ready for the responsibility that comes with transplant.
“Compliance is key,” Molina explained. “We want patients to understand that what they do now, taking medications, going to dialysis, directly affects their ability to receive and keep a transplant.”
Not every patient is a candidate, and those conversations can be among the most difficult.
“It is hard to tell someone they’re not a candidate,” she said. “But we take the time to explain why, and if there’s something they can improve, we help guide them back.”
For those who are eligible, the journey can still take years. Patients often spend three to five years on the transplant waitlist, navigating appointments, testing and ongoing care. Throughout that time, Molina and her colleagues provide constant support by calling patients, coordinating care and ensuring they stay on track.
“It’s a lot of handholding,” she said. “We want to make sure they complete everything as quickly as possible so they can get their chance.”
And when that moment finally comes, the impact is profound.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Molina said. “You see everything the patient has gone through, and then they’re able to do the things they always wanted to do.”
She recalls one patient whose goal was simple: to teach his young daughter how to ride a bike. Before his transplant, he didn’t have the strength or energy. It felt like an impossible dream. After his transplant, it became reality.
“He was able to do that,” Molina said. “He had the energy to play with her and be there for those moments. Those are the things that matter.”
For Molina, experiences like that reinforce the purpose behind her work.
“When you see it come full circle, you realize you’re changing lives,” she said.
That same commitment to patients is what drives Parkland’s transplant program, which recently earned the highest possible rating in key quality measures from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, ranking number one in Texas and among the best in the nation.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary work happening across our entire transplant team,” said Joe Lockridge, MD, Medical Director of Transplant Services at Parkland Health. “Coordinators like Brenda are essential to our success. Our goal is to meet patients where they are and guide them through every step of a complex and often overwhelming process, ensuring they are informed, supported and prepared. Their dedication is a powerful example of how we combine clinical excellence with compassionate care to truly change lives.”
The recognition reflects not only clinical excellence, but a team dedicated to guiding patients from their most vulnerable moments to a renewed sense of possibility.
“It’s more than a transplant,” Molina said. “It’s giving someone their life back.”
For more information on Parkland’s transplant program, please visit www.parklandhealth.org/kidney-transplant. To learn about services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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