Thomas Thrasher Award Dinner 2011

Hello Everyone
By Kathy Gibson

The 2011 Sixth Annual Thomas Thrasher Award Banquet was a huge success. The dinner was held at The Florida Aquarium, in Tampa on October 20th. The evening started out with a cocktail hour held in front of the shark tanks, guests could mingle with one another, and get reacquainted while watching the killer sharks swimming by. Two "star" penguins arrived to entertain us (thank you to Jim Britt) complete in tuxedo attire. The trainers gave us a brief informational talk, I believe we all learned a few things.

During our delicious dinner, seated in the aquariums large foyer we were welcomed by The Honorable F. Dennis Alvarez, Master of Ceremonies, also a heart recipient. He did an excellent job introducing the honorees and keeping the evening moving along.

John Ackermann, M.D. received the 2011 Thomas Thrasher Award of Excellence, he was born in 1935 in Cape Town South Africa. He was educated at a private Episcopal Boys School. Dr. Ackermann attended Medical School at the University of Cape Town, where he received the Johnson & Johnson prize during his Residency. He spent some time working in the lab with Dr. Christian Barnard doing research. During this time, he was awarded a Welcome Research Fellowship to continue his research at St. Mary's in London, England. Dr. Tom Starzl was also at St. Mary's which was a gathering place for early transplant pioneers

Dr. Ackermann returned to Cape Town to help Dr. Barnard manage his heart transplant patients and enlarge the kidney transplant program there. After a year there, he was offered to contend for the Paul Sanger Chair of Experimental Surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He and his family emigrated to the USA in 1969. He subsequently was Professor of Surgery at Michigan State University and served as Professor of Surgery at University of South Florida. He eventually entered into private practice while retaining his position with the University.
Dr. Ackermann has devoted his medical career to helping patients suffering from renal failure and all its complications. He retired in 1994 due to ill health and has spent the last few years enjoying his family, listening to music and traveling between his homes in Connecticut and Tampa.

Erika Rodriquez, R.N. received the 2011 Award of Excellence, she is a native of Tampa. Her nursing career started very early in her life. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant while attending Gaither High School. She worked in orthopedics, general surgery and the emergency room at St. Joseph's Hospital. In 1987 she joined the TGH team and while working full time as a CNA, Erika attended Erwin Vo-Tech's night program. She graduated in 1993 as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Erika worked in the Rehabilitation Center-spinal cord injury unit, the psychiatric inpatient unit and the Pre and Post procedure units. In June 1997, Erika began caring for transplant patients full time and in August of that year enrolled in nursing school to obtain her Registered Nurse's license.
Erika has been an integral part of the evolution and growth of the transplant clinics. What started as a small heart transplant clinic has expanded over the years, to include Lung Transplant, Ventricular Assist Device and Cystic Fibrosis patients.

Erika is a valued member of the Tampa General Hospital Transplant Team.

Ron Donalson received the 2011 Emily Ortiz Volunteer Award, this award was kept under wraps so it was a surprise. He has been volunteering for over 10 years with N.O.T.E. His love of people and desire to make a difference for those in need keeps him active with N.O.T.E. and many other community organizations.

New for this year the 2011 Corporate Citizenship Award of Excellence was given to LifeLink and Tampa General Hospital.

A sticker was placed under one saucer at each table, the guest who was lucky enough to find it received the book The Gift that Heals written by Reg Green.

We were amazed and delighted by the special stories (maybe some tales) that were shared about this years Honoree, Dr. Ackermann by his past patients and colleagues. Lots of hugs and beautiful words were spoken.

Dennis Heinrichs spoke eloquently and affectionately about the beginning years of LifeLink and transplantation. We learned and some of us were reminded that we were in the presence of a true pioneer in the transplant field, what an honor for all of us.

The evening seemed to come to an end all to soon, a wonderful time was had by all.