January 17, 2022
Lee Morrow’s curriculum vitae (CV) is 97 pages long.
It encompasses Dr. Morrow’s 19-year career as a physician specializing in pulmonary care, 20 years teaching medicine, countless research collaborations, legal consultations, publications and honors.
For the past seven years, Dr. Morrow has served as a medical director for Live On Nebraska, helping evaluate patients for donation and finding ways to make the most of every donation opportunity.
In January, Dr. Morrow joined the Live On Nebraska team full time as Chief Medical Officer.
In addition to his previous responsibilities, Dr. Morrow will train clinical team members on best practices in patient care, educate physicians at partner hospitals on donation protocols and lead the organization in advancing its expertise in organ and tissue donation.
As we welcome Dr. Morrow to the Live On Nebraska team, we asked him to share a bit about himself and his career.
How did you get involved with donation and transplantation?
My first contact with the world of donation was when I saw an organ procurement surgery during my general surgery rotation as a 3rd year medical student in the fall of 1994. It was unlike anything I had ever seen – tragic yet inspirational – and has stuck with me for the rest of my career.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Induction into the Gold Humanism Society. GHS is a prestigious honor that recognizes physicians who are not just good doctors, they are good people. My induction speech was irreverent and I later learned there was a betting pool (organized by the dean of the medical school) about when I would drop my first expletive during said induction speech.
What is the one challenge you’re most excited to take on at Live On Nebraska?
Increasing the number of organs transplanted while also teaching the people on our team everything I can about donor management.
What do you think will be a game-changer in donation and transplantation in the coming years?
I’ve got enough experience to know better than to try to predict things. But the recent transplant of a modified pig heart into a human should grab everybody’s attention.
Favorite collaboration you’ve been a part of?
Nothin’ But a G Thang with Dr. Dre. Never mind, that was Snoop Dogg, not me.
Outside of Live On Nebraska, what’s a community organization you’re proud to be associated with?
The Society of Critical Care Medicine. Their commitment to critical care education and interprofessional care is so refreshing.
What’s the number one reason someone should register as an organ and tissue donor?
Each of the patients I take care of who is waiting for a lung transplant.