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Melissa Burris

In 2025, I am answering the call to... empower others to save lives through skilled, compassionate care.
Job Title: Organ Recovery Training and Development Coordinator
Organization: LifeShare Network
Age: 37
Years in Donation and Transplantation: 8
What makes your career in organ donation and transplantation special?

In my opinion, what makes my career in organ donation and transplantation so special is the incredible impact all of us in the OPO world have on people's lives‚ both the families who are making the ultimate gift and the recipients who are given a second chance. Being a part of that process is humbling and deeply meaningful.

As someone who started in the OR and now serves as a trainer, I've come to appreciate not only the clinical side of this work, but also the importance of supporting and developing the people who carry it out. My role as a trainer allows me to help new and experienced staff build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in high-pressure, life-saving situations. I take pride in creating an environment where our team feels prepared, supported, and connected to the purpose behind what we do. Helping others grow in this mission-driven field is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

Biography

Melissa Burris is the Organ Recovery Training and Development Coordinator at LifeShare Network, where she leads clinical training and professional development for more than 40 members of the organ recovery team. With a career that spans surgical technology, organ recovery coordination, and educator leadership, Burris has become an influential voice in shaping the clinical excellence and culture of organ donation in Oklahoma.

She was nominated for The Alliance 40 Under 40 by Jamie Hickman, Hospital Development and Family Services Trainer at LifeShare Network. “Melissa is a dedicated innovator and educator whose passion for organ donation has made a lasting impact,” Hickman shared. “She pioneered and led the Transplant Tomorrow conference, giving OPOs and hospital staff a platform to share best practices. Her leadership and commitment to developing new staff have transformed our organization.”

Burris began her healthcare career as a Surgical Technologist at a children’s hospital, where she first encountered the world of organ donation. She later joined LifeShare as a Surgical Recovery Coordinator, eventually advancing to First Assist and team lead roles. Along the way, she found her calling in education — training new coordinators, refining recovery protocols, and leading simulation-based learning initiatives that support staff across multiple clinical disciplines.

Among her standout accomplishments is the creation of “Transplant Tomorrow,” a regional conference designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and shared learning across donor hospitals and recovery teams. Burris also devotes her expertise to supporting research-only donation pathways, contributing to the broader advancement of transplant science.

With a deep knowledge of organ recovery and an unwavering dedication to mentorship, Melissa Burris has helped elevate both technical training and team culture at LifeShare Network. Her work reflects a rare combination of hands-on skill, visionary leadership, and a mission-first mindset that continues to shape the future of donation and transplantation.