Exploring the Future of Nursing: A Tour at OneLegacy Hospital

On October the International Alliance Group team and a group of 16 nursing students from Universidad Xochicalco - Campus Ensenada traveled to OneLegacy hospital. This was an enriching and memorable experience, filled with learning about the organ donation process and the critical role of nursing professionals in this field.

Arrival at the Hospital

We arrived at OneLegacy around 10:30 a.m., where the IAG team, the students, and OneLegacy staff gathered for a Meet & Greet session. The IAG team presented the tour itinerary and provided box lunches from Panera to help everyone relax and connect before the tour began. It was great to see the excitement of the students, who came from different years of the nursing program.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

A highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IAG and Universidad Xochicalco - Campus Ensenada, with Jason Hammond , President of IAG, and the nursing coordinator of Xochicalco, Dra. Maricela Chávez as signatories, and Tara Savage , Executive Vice President of IAG's Health Care Division, as a witness. This collaboration symbolizes our shared commitment to nursing education and professional development.

Informative Presentations: Getting to Know OneLegacy

The first presentation was an Introduction to OneLegacy and its Public Education Efforts, where we learned about the organization’s campaigns and events, such as parades and comedy nights, to raise awareness about organ donation. It was fascinating to hear about OneLegacy’s relationship with Hollywood, which helps positively portray organ donation on TV.

Donor Allocation & Coordinator Dept.

Nurse Diana Ponce-Martel led the session for the Donor Allocation & Coordinator Department, where several IAG nurses currently work. Diana explained the organ donation process, detailing aspects such as the types of organs that can be donated and the roles within the department, which serves as the operational heart of OneLegacy.

Eye Bank

The tour included a visit to the Eye Bank, where we learned about the cornea recovery process and how one cornea donation can benefit up to four people. The students showed great interest as we observed various labs and even had the chance to see real corneas.

Organ Procurement Department

Michael Romero, leader of the Organ Procurement Department, described the roles and levels of specialization within his team. He explained how team members undergo rigorous preparation to meet the highest standards in organ donation procedures.

Surgical Technology

The experience turned lighthearted during the Surgical Technology Department presentation. The group suited up in surgical uniforms to tour special areas of the hospital, including the morgue and operating rooms, where we witnessed a tissue and bone recovery procedure on a real body.

Organ Recovery Services

The next stop was the Organ Recovery Services Department, where we observed the equipment and procedures used to verify the viability of organs. Out of respect for the donors and their families, photos were not permitted in this section.

A Comprehensive Tour

Nurse Diane Ponce guided us through other areas of the hospital, from the cafeteria to a beautiful courtyard where we took a group photo. We also learned about OneLegacy’s preparations for the Pasadena Rose Parade, where they honor organ donors with floral portraits.

Family Support Department

The final presentation was led by LuCyndi Ramirez from the Family Support Department. This team provides emotional assistance to the families of organ donors and recipients, helping them navigate the grieving process. LuCyndi also addressed myths about organ donation and shared how OneLegacy works to dispel them through education.

The IAG team present at the event included Jason Hammond , President of IAG; Tara Savage , Executive Vice President of Health Care Division; Abram Jimenez, Ed.D , Chief of Strategy; Kendra Price , Director, Strategic Planning and Professional Development; and MARLEN ESTRADA DIAZ , Recruitment Specialist. Their participation underscored IAG’s commitment to supporting international nursing students and fostering educational partnerships.