04/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/22/2025 02:16
Isabel Trahan received her first kidney transplant when she was 18 months old.
"I am a three-time kidney transplant recipient," Trahan said. "Unlike other transplants, kidneys have an average lifespan of 10-15 years post-transplant. My mother was my first donor, and I was fortunate to have made it 23 years before I went into renal failure for the second time."
Isabel Trahan has had three kidney transplants - most recently in 2023 - and credits UToledo for helping her graduate on schedule with a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration on May 3.
Trahan is diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare condition that affects the small blood vessels in kidneys to be damaged. In 2020, Trahan received her second kidney transplant, which unfortunately lasted less than two years before she needed a third in October of 2023.
"I underwent dialysis and my surgery," she said. "During all of this I managed to stay in school, thanks to UToledo. The staff were so accommodating and being able to take my classes online meant I was never limited in my ability to pursue my degree."
Graduating Saturday, May 3 with her bachelor of science in healthcare administration, Trahan said being a three-time kidney transplant recipient made her more passionate about working in the healthcare industry.
"I chose UToledo's online health administration program because it offers flexibility I need as a working professional while also providing a well-rounded curriculum that directly applies to real-world healthcare challenges," she said. "The program's support, faculty and career-focused coursework has made it a perfect fit for my goals."
Dr. Nilgun Sezginis, director in the Health Information Administration Program, said he was surprised to hear about Trahan's surgery during the course of her studies at UToledo.
"She did not even ask for an extension for her assignments or exams," Sezginis said. "I found Isabel's story inspiring, and I believe she can serve as a role model for future traditional or non-traditional students. I have no doubt that she will be moving up the ladder into a higher-level management position while contributing to the care of nephrology patients."
Trahan said she has been interested in healthcare for most of her life and has been working in the field for the last 10 years. She is currently employed at Nephrology Consultants of Northwest Ohio.
"I love my job and plan to continue here after my graduation," Trahan said. "The dream is to eventually because the business administrator, whether it is at my current place of employment or if I find myself somewhere else."
Although she has attended other colleges in pursuit of her degree, Trahan said only UToledo gave her the power to accomplish her dreams.
"Honestly, I should have gone to UToledo from the beginning," she said. "The staff and professors here have been so wonderful, compared to my experiences at other colleges. They are where I grew up, and I wouldn't change my decision for the world."