Transplant Living Community (TLC Program)

The Henry Ford Health Transplant Living Community or TLC is a program conceptualized in 2008 by patients for patients to address unique lifestyle issues that confront transplant recipients and their families. TLC provides real-time support and lifestyle education to organ and bone marrow recipients within the hospital environment. The TLC is recipient driven with oversight from Henry Ford Transplant and exists as an ambassador program to support pre and post transplant patients, living donors, support partners, and families throughout the transplant experience. The TLC interacts collaboratively with Henry Ford Transplant’s Patient Family Advisory Council on a bi-monthly basis to present and drive patient centered initiatives.

The primary goal of TLC is to encourage patients to “Play their ACES!” ACES highlight the importance of Attitude, Compliance, Exercise, and Support team development in the transplant process. TLC Ambassadors address these crucial lifestyle components that contribute to a successful transplant outcome and long-term success with a common sense easy to understand approach. TLC provides organizational tools and education to help patients take charge of their medical care on a daily basis. TLC also provides a stylized support team approach that involves the entire family in a positive cooperative manner.

TLC promotes positive outcomes of transplantation others have experienced via TLC ambassadors who themselves are transplant recipients, living donors, or caregivers. The Henry Ford Transplant Institute staff often refers potential TLC volunteer ambassadors. Volunteers then complete a detailed training program that consists of Henry Ford Hospital Volunteer orientation, TLC training, and optional Gift of Life independent training. Currently there are several trained volunteer TLC ambassadors representing heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, liver, multi-visceral organ recipients, bone marrow, living donors, and caregivers. Ambassadors actively volunteer in rotation on the Transplant Institute K16 clinic floor of the Henry Ford Hospital Main Campus from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm Monday through Friday. TLC ambassadors are also available on K14 Monday through Wednesday as well on K13, P2, and H6 as needed. The TLC offers a unique support experience within the Henry Ford Health to share transplant experiences and lifestyle successes. Many TLC volunteers state that it is just as rewarding for them as it is for the patients and families they interact with while volunteering.

Become a volunteer with TLC

To get started, follow the instructions below:

1. Must be at least 10 months post transplant and have a positive lifestyle attitude. All organ transplant and bone marrow recipients qualify. Living donors may serve as TLC volunteers to support post surgery kidney and liver living donors. Caregiver/support persons to transplant recipients also qualify
2. If a transplant recipient, obtain clearance for volunteer service from your transplant coordinator or doctor. Request to have clearance sent by email to the attention of Beth Rubinstein at erubins1@hfhs.org TLC Development and Training.
3. Instruction to apply online.
   • Under section "Volunteer position you are interested in:" please check TLC Program.
4. Should have immunizations up to date and documented. If not, Health Services will review health record and provide needed immunizations during volunteer training. A print out from your Henry Ford MyChart immunization record will be accepted as documentation.
   • If you have had a TB (Tuberculosis) test within the last 6 months, you must have documentation.
   • If you have had a current flu shot for the calendar year, you must have documentation.
   • Transplant recipients should not receive live or live-attenuated vaccines.
5. Once application has been processed, you will be notified of the next Henry Ford Volunteer Orientation – TLC Ambassador Training session. Training consists of two six-hour day sessions to include Henry Ford volunteer orientation, volunteer policies within the Transplant Institute, and interaction techniques with pre and post transplant patients, living donors, and support partners based upon TLC lifestyle ACES education.
6. Volunteer responsibilities range from clinic table coverage, pre and post transplant patient education and support, caregiver support and education, material collation, TLC presentations, special event representation, Patient Family Advisory Council.

Please email TLC@hfhs.org or call (313) 916-3612 to leave a voice mail for further information about the TLC Ambassador volunteer program or apply online.

The Transplant Living Community does not engage in the practice of medicine and under no circumstances, recommends particular treatments for specific individuals. In all cases the TLC recommends that you consult your physician before pursuing any course of treatment or action concerning your personal medical care.