Embracing Innovation at LifeSource: Harnessing New Technologies to Shape the Future of Organ Donation

At LifeSource, our mission has always been to save lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation. As we look to a future where everyone says “yes” to organ donation, we focus on leveraging the power of data and technology to drive smarter, more efficient decisions in our organization. With recent implementations of a new Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and a new Human Resource Information System (HRIS) along with key initiatives in business intelligence, our team is embracing a transformative approach that will redefine how we operate, empower our teams, and improve outcomes that will redefine our organization’s future and the future of organ donation. 

Unlocking New Insights: AI, Data and Business Intelligence 

We understand that in today’s data-driven world, insights come from being able to access, analyze and apply data in real-time. That’s why we’re moving towards integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools within these systems to enhance our operational efficiency and clinical decision-making.  

These advancing technologies will allow us to generate more precise forecasts, identify trends earlier, and optimize aspects of the organ donation and transplantation process. With the growth of our business intelligence capabilities, we’re setting the stage for predictive analytics that will drive improved outcomes and more efficient resource management. 

Revolutionizing Organ Donation with iTransplant and UKG 

One of our most exciting innovations is the rollout of iTransplant, a new EMR system. This system is designed to bring clinical workflows and data management into a unified, streamlined process -offering a more efficient and transparent approach to organ and tissue donation. By automating time-consuming tasks, iTransplant will enable our teams to focus on the work that directly impacts families and saves lives.  

As LifeSource grows, we’re also enhancing our workforce management with UKG, a HRIS platform that optimizes scheduling, performance and resource allocation. By integrating UKG with our other technologies, we can better align team member capacity with clinical needs, confirming we have the resources necessary for success. 

“By optimizing workforce scheduling, we can ensure that the right people are in the right place at the right time, which is crucial when we’re dealing with such mission-critical work.” explains Lisa Thompson, Director of Information Technology & Data Management. 

Empowering Teams with Better Data & Reporting 

LifeSource is committed to providing our teams with the tools they need to succeed. Amanda Theis, Data Management Supervisor, and Nghi To, Data Engineer, are part of our data team at the forefront of building the infrastructure that supports data flow, reporting, and decision-making across the organization. 

“As we build out our data infrastructure, we’re making sure it’s a consumable object for all departments,” says Nghi. “With the right infrastructure, we can ask the right questions and automate processes, moving from a reactive to a more proactive decision-making environment.” Amanda agrees that building the governance structure will help close the gap between clinical and operational departments— “The future is bright.” 

A critical role in LifeSource’s data transformation is the position of Clinical Informaticist, held by Joshua Korthouse. Joshua’s work involves ensuring that our clinical operations and IT departments are aligned, helping to create systems that are intuitive for team members who use the EMR, while simultaneously collecting high-quality data for analysis. 

“As a clinical informaticist, my role is to act as the bridge between IT and our clinical operations teams,” Joshua says. “By working closely with both sides, we ensure that the data we collect serves the purpose of improving clinical and operational outcomes, and that it’s being used in a way that makes sense to our leaders and our frontline team. This collaboration ensures that the new EMR system and data-driven insights are not just useful in theory—they’re practical and actionable in the real world, improving both clinical practices and operational efficiency.” 

Lisa praises the team’s collaborative efforts, noting, “I’ve done a lot of system implementations over the years, and this is the first time that I’ve seen where we’ve taken somebody with Joshua’s skill set and knowledge and moved them into an IT capacity to more closely align both teams. What’s so exciting to me is the possibilities of what’s to come from that unique dynamic of having strong technical and strong clinical under the same roof and with the same focus.” 

Through improved data quality and stewardship, LifeSource is empowering departments to make faster, more informed decisions. From analyzing hospital interactions to identifying new metrics for donor and transplant success, LifeSource’s ability to leverage business intelligence will continue to shape the future of organ donation. 

LifeSource’s Commitment to Innovation: Join Us 

As LifeSource continues to innovate and grow, we’re expanding our teams to meet the increasing demand for data-driven solutions and cutting-edge technologies. 

“We’re at an exciting time in LifeSource’s journey,” says Lisa. “So many things are coming into alignment: The focus and strength of the strategic plan, the positioning of resources in critical areas, the consistent messaging and communications that is going out across the system…I’m not seeing any deviation from what the mission and the focus is. And with that, we’ll yield full realization of the power that can be unleashed through having better data at our fingertips to drive donation. The strong dedication put in from this team is admirable and I could not be more excited for what’s to come. For the future of LifeSource and organ donation, the sky is the limit.” 

Ready to make an impact? LifeSource offers many career opportunities to contribute to meaningful, life-saving work while leveraging your skills in a cutting-edge, innovative environment. View our career page for our current openings.