The Department of Social Work, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), affiliated to the University of Madras, has been training students in the profession of Social Work over the past six decades. At the Master's level, students are offered a specialisation in Medical & Psychiatric Social Work.

As part of coursework, Dr. Priya George, an Assistant Professor of Department of Social Work organized a talk on organ donation and transplantation for the II year MSW specialisation class on 18^th November. The speakers for the session were Ms. Ishwarya, Mr. Siva Shankar and Dr. Hemal Kanvide from MOHAN Foundation. In the session that took place virtually, the following topics were covered by Ishwarya:

• Concepts of Organ Donation and Transplantation
• Types and donors
• Organs and tissues that can be donated under different circumstances
• Brain death
• The Transplantation of Human Organs Act
• Advances in the transplant field

Mr. Siva Shankar spoke about the role of social workers in the organ donation process and choosing Transplant Coordination as a career option.  He briefly spoke about the various training programmes offered by MOHAN Foundation that would equip students to become Transplant Coordinators.

Dr. Hemal elaborated on how students can contribute as ambassadors of the organ donation cause by creatively organizing events to spread awareness.  She explained how the Angels of Change training initiative of MOHAN Foundation has groomed many youngsters into valuable ambassadors. Examples of activities orgnsised by the student volunteers were showcased.

Around 13 students along with Dr. Priya attended the 45-minute session. Questions from the audience included the following:

• Is it possible for a pregnant woman to undergo a transplant?
• How is potential donor for a woman undergoing a uterine transplant?
• What would be the eligibility criteria to sign up for the Transplant Coordinators’ Traning Programme?

A student delivered the vote of thanks.  MOHAN Foundation is thankful to Dr. Priya and the Social Work Department of the institution for the opportunity.