1900 W. 47th Place, Suite 400
Westwood, KS 66205
913-262-1668
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Our Values
Our Values
At Midwest Transplant Network, our core values are B-REAL – Belonging, Respect, Excellence, Accountability and Leadership. As a team, we live these values everyday, fostering a work environment we are all proud to celebrate. We also believe in recognizing our employees for embracing and exemplifying our values with our B-REAL awards. B-REAL winners, like the ones shown below, are nominated by their peers for outstanding performance in the B-REAL categories.
Belonging
We believe in creating a culture where all employees feel safe and genuine at work. We value the importance of seeking to understand beliefs, values and opinions that are new or different from our own. Diverse perspectives make our team stronger as we serve our mission.
“Isaac Ruffin fully embodies our core values in so many ways. Isaac has a passion and invaluable skillset for connecting with others both within our organization and among the families we serve. Onsite, he engages with hospital staff and donor-hero families with care and curiosity, ensuring they feel safe and valued. He listens attentively to concerns, striving to understand and support diverse perspectives. Whether covering call shifts for sick team members or driving to the Donor Care Unit in the middle of the night to make memory items for a grieving family, Isaac consistently prioritizes others’ well-being. His dedication extends beyond work, providing unwavering support during times of personal loss and change. Over the last 20 years, Isaac has authentically invested in both MTN and the greater Kansas City community to create diverse networks of care and belonging.”
Respect
Our team members have built a strong foundation of support and compassion. We foster a sensitive and accepting environment that promotes honest communication, active listening and a deep sense of trust. By embracing our differences and sharing our strengths, we promote individual empowerment and team rapport.
“Liz Rask was the Organ Procurement Coordinator (OPC) onsite the day my cousin went to the OR for organ recovery. I was the scheduled Family Services Coordinator (FSC) that day but was unable to fulfill my job duties and support the family during the honor walk, as I was also experiencing a loss. Liz stepped up and not only fulfilled her role and responsibilities as an OPC but also the role of an FSC with exceptional care and compassion. Her support during the honor walk and funeral services was invaluable to my family. Liz consistently provides excellent care and support to donor families in Wichita, building strong relationships with them while caring for their donor hero. While it might have seemed like a routine day for her, Liz’s presence had a significant impact on my family.”
Respect
Our team members have built a strong foundation of support and compassion. We foster a sensitive and accepting environment that promotes honest communication, active listening and a deep sense of trust. By embracing our differences and sharing our strengths, we promote individual empowerment and team rapport.
“Liz Rask was the Organ Procurement Coordinator (OPC) onsite the day my cousin went to the OR for organ recovery. I was the scheduled Family Services Coordinator (FSC) that day but was unable to fulfill my job duties and support the family during the honor walk, as I was also experiencing a loss. Liz stepped up and not only fulfilled her role and responsibilities as an OPC but also the role of an FSC with exceptional care and compassion. Her support during the honor walk and funeral services was invaluable to my family. Liz consistently provides excellent care and support to donor families in Wichita, building strong relationships with them while caring for their donor hero. While it might have seemed like a routine day for her, Liz’s presence had a significant impact on my family.”
Excellence
We attain a high rate of achievement and success for our organization by meeting and exceeding proactive goals that we set together, centered on the overall mission and vision of Midwest Transplant Network. Our employees elevate and challenge each other, setting a positive tone as we strive for the highest standards. Collaboration is key to continuous growth and finding workable solutions that benefit our teams and partners.
“Janet Maxey has a loving smile and great determination, and she consistently goes above and beyond to care for others. For years, she has expressed a desire to provide small quilts to our pediatric donor heroes. Recently, Janet learned to quilt and has created beautiful quilts for our smallest heroes. This initiative is only one example of Janet’s positive approach to improving situations. Janet has dedicated countless hours to finding the families of unidentified members of our community. She listens and then creates meaningful memorial items unique to each donor hero. She has even been known to chase down a delivery driver to ensure a family received their quilt and memorial cards timely. Regardless of the situation (and with a little Diet Coke), Janet shows up with a positive attitude, tenacity, and consistently advocates for donation in every circumstance.”
Accountability
We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, always interacting with honesty and transparency. As we are answerable for our actions and those of our teams, we honor our commitments to each other and our professional partners. We take ownership of the organization’s mission with personal responsibility, integrity and resourcefulness.
“Brad Marten is always an amazing advocate and miracle worker for organ donation, particularly demonstrated in a recent case involving one of our funeral home partners whose son was a first person authorized eligible organ donor. Brad did not hesitate to jump on the plane with the team and fly to Joplin to offer in-person assistance and support to the family ultimately leading to the family’s agreement to proceed with donation and an honor walk. This may not have been possible without Brad’s longstanding relationship-building over the last 15 years. His ongoing dedication to working collaboratively with our funeral home and coroner partners and honoring donor heroes is seen many times throughout the year. This is just one specific example of how he continuously goes above and beyond in his compassionate care of families, exemplifying his commitment to the MTN mission.”
Accountability
We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, always interacting with honesty and transparency. As we are answerable for our actions and those of our teams, we honor our commitments to each other and our professional partners. We take ownership of the organization’s mission with personal responsibility, integrity and resourcefulness.
“Brad Marten is always an amazing advocate and miracle worker for organ donation, particularly demonstrated in a recent case involving one of our funeral home partners whose son was a first person authorized eligible organ donor. Brad did not hesitate to jump on the plane with the team and fly to Joplin to offer in-person assistance and support to the family ultimately leading to the family’s agreement to proceed with donation and an honor walk. This may not have been possible without Brad’s longstanding relationship-building over the last 15 years. His ongoing dedication to working collaboratively with our funeral home and coroner partners and honoring donor heroes is seen many times throughout the year. This is just one specific example of how he continuously goes above and beyond in his compassionate care of families, exemplifying his commitment to the MTN mission.”
Leadership
Our leaders offer meaningful feedback and support to mentor and encourage their teammates. We cultivate relationships and strengthen teams with effective, professional communication, and by providing the tools and resources to help others reach their highest potential. Leadership sets the example for the entire team with their dedicated work ethic and their respectful personal interactions.
“Ryan Schmidt was one of my direct leaders in the Tissue Department. Over the years, I’ve seen him excel in various roles over the years, always ready to lend a hand whenever needed. As a Preservationist, I’ve witnessed Ryan’s involvement in the majority of our cases, whether recovering organs or performing pathology and DCU ICU duties. Despite not holding a formal leadership title, his influence is undeniable. Ryan has built valuable relationships with surgeons, hospital staff, and industry peers, earning admiration wherever he goes. His presence enhances morale and promotes teamwork, making busy days more manageable with his expertise and lighthearted demeanor. I’ve personally benefited from his guidance and support during surgeries, and his willingness to share knowledge is unmatched. Even after three years in the role, I continue to learn from him, valuing those ‘aha’ moments of clarity. Overall, Ryan is an exceptional coworker and mentor whose contributions to the advancement of our mission deserve recognition.”