BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN HICKEY, President
Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipient, 2021
John the forever grateful recipient of a living donor liver transplant. He received his liver from his niece, Mary, in 2021 at the University of Chicago, and has been a member of OTS since 2021. John participated in the mentor program pre transplant and has been a mentor in the program since his transplant. He has been an active leader in other non-profit organizations since 2009, including roles as president of PFLAG DuPage and the PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois. John is retired after 35 years in a variety of Operations and Supply Chain management roles in the Defense Industry. John and his wife, Mary Ann are 35+ year residents of Naperville, IL. They are the parents of two young adults, living in the Chicago area, and they have one grandchild.
BRENT FLYNN, Vice President
Kidney Transplant Recipient, 1995
Brent received a kidney from his brother in 1995 at Loyola University Medical Center and has been a member of OTS since 1994. He is retired after 40 years in the financial services industry. Brent and his wife Nancy reside in Wheaton. They are the parents of three young adults, two residing in Chicago and one in Henderson, NV. Nancy made an altruistic kidney donation in 2012.
CAROL OLASH, Mentor Program Manager
Heart Transplant Recipient, 2002
Carol Olash moves to the position of Mentor Program Manager after serving as President for 5 years. Carol has been a member of OTS for over 12 years and she was the newsletter editor for 5 years before joining the board. She was also on the board of the Have a Heart Support Group before OTS.
Carol received a heart transplant in 2002 from Loyola Medical Center. She lives in Palatine with her husband Eric.
IRENE FAITH PURDIE, Recording Secretary
Kidney Transplant Recipient, 2006 and 2022
Faith, as she prefers to be called, lives in Westchester County, NY and received both her kidney transplants at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY.
In 2023, Faith began contributing for the “MEET A MENTOR” column for the OTS newsletter. Writing has always been Faith’s passion, and she is busy pursuing freelance writing opportunities at this time. Previously she worked at New York Life Insurance Company for 20 years, focusing on content writing and project management.
In Faith’s free time, she enjoys walking trails, scenic drives, and day trips in the NY, NJ, and PA areas.
KAREN GRIBEL, Communications Secretary
Karen's lived in all the states that start with the letter "I." Now she continues her professional student status as a reference librarian in Chicago. She and Sharon will celebrate 18 years together this June. Their family includes three cats and a dog, Poirot.
SHARON BROWN Communications Secretary
Pancreas Transplant Recipient, 2007
Sharon is originally from Decatur, IL. She graduated from Indiana University and has worked as an artist ever since. In 2007 she received a pancreas transplant from the University of Chicago. She is happy to help OTS!
DIMA ABUSHAABAN, TREASURER
Kidney Transplant Recipient, 2011
Dima Abushaaban continues to serve as OTS Treasurer. She received her kidney transplant at Northwestern from a live donor in 2011 and reached out to OTS 6 months post-transplant to see how she could help. She has been Treasurer ever since. Dima has worked both in the US and the Middle East and has experience in management consulting, corporate strategy and healthcare.
NIMFA MELESIO, Director-at-Large
Liver Transplant Recipient, 2000
Nimfa is a long time member of OTS, and she received a liver transplant in 2000. She has been actively involved in advocating for organ donation over the years. One of her highlights was the opportunity to be on the Donate Life float for the Rose Bowl Parade in 2005. An awesome experience!
Nimfa is currently employed as an Administrative Office Manager at the Elmhurst Park Distrist. She also works part-time as an Adult Services Librarian at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library. This year Nimfa and her husband will celebrate 39 years of marriage. They have two daughters who are both married.
DANIEL AHERN, Director-at-Large
Heart Transplant Recipient, 2017
Daniel Ahern worked for 26 years for the Chicago Transit Authority. He retired from the CTA as the Manager of Operations, responsible for over 2,100 buses and 1,190 rail cars, servicing 220 square miles of Chicago and 40 suburbs.
Daniel received a heart transplant in October 2017. This transplant has given him the opportunity to volunteer for many important organizations while incrasing awareness of the need for organ and tissue donations. He is also able to spend time with his three children and three grandchildren. Because of his gift of life with a heart transplant Daniel is looking forward to the future.
BARBARA STEWART, Director-at-Large
Barb Stewart claimed the unsolicited title of Caregiver in 2016 when her husband had a live-donor liver transplant at Northwestern. Her knowledge, research, experience, and curiosity led her to become the author of The Caregiver’s Guidebook and a spokesperson for Caregivers nationwide.
Barb’s passion helps Caregivers successfully navigate their new role as a Caregiver while she helps them become more educated with the healthcare system. Her mission became educating caregivers by helping them embrace this new title, giving them a voice, creating comfort and confidence in their journey, and concern for self-care. Barb’s new position of Director-At-Large with OTS will include providing Caregiver support and helping the transplant community access resources that help them through the process.
Barb is the owner of a wellness therapy and bodywork business, manages her husband’s glass art business, is a motivational speaker, two-time author, and has 20 years of experience as a hospital pharmacy specialist.