LAORA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Professor and Chairman Emeritus, University of Miami
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- President, the American Strategies Group
Job Titles:
- Member of the Non - Voting Board
- Counsel to the Board of Governors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Administrative Director of Regulatory Affairs, Memorial Regional Hospital
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Organ Procurement Manager
Chris Obel is the manager of clinical operations. He started his career as a paramedic working for multiple critical care transport teams. After continuing his education became a Registered Nurse and started working at Broward General Pediatric Emergency Room in 2011 where he met his wife Jessica. In 2017 started working for Life Alliance as a DMC II. While working for Life Alliance worked as administrator on call and became Manager of clinical operations in June 2021. Chris has two beautiful daughters Olivia and Emma.
David Gonzalez is the Senior Database Manager at LAORA. David first joined the University of Miami in 1995 as a System Developer and soon after became their Network Administrator as well in the Surgery/Transplant Department before advancing to his current role. David is currently responsible for the design, development and maintenance of the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Information System (LAORAIS), handling data management, reporting, and data visualization, as well as being LAORA's database administrator. David received his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from University College in Maracaibo, Venezuela, David is originally from Venezuela and moved to the United States in June 1995. David and his wife are happily married and have 2 sons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Chief Executive Officer, Jackson Memorial Hospital
Dr. Louay Al Hatem graduated from the School of Medicine at the University of Damascus, Syria, in 2001. He completed a master's degree in cardio-thoracic surgery and intensive care unit (ICU) management in 2008. Since then, he has performed hundreds of open-heart surgeries.Dr. Al Hatem joined Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency (LAORA), University of Miami, FL, in 2015, first as surgical coordinator, and later, in April 2018, as organ recovery surgeon. On August 2020, he was promoted to the position of Medical Director of LAORA.Dr. Louay Al Hatem is an enthusiastic, humble, honest, and honorable person, eager to contribute to team success through his arduous work, attention to details, and continuous learning.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Non - Voting Board
Dr. Sam Salama, MD, MPA is the Executive Director of Life Alliance. He first joined Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency in 2009, after having completed his Surgical Fellowship at the University of Miami, Ryder Trauma Center. When he first came to LAORA, he was the senior director overseeing the Clinical, Surgical Recovery, Hospital Development and Community Departments. Dr. Salama graduated with honor from the University of Damascus School of Medicine, Syria. He trained in surgery, internal medicine and critical care in Syria, France and the USA. Sam is married to his sweetheart, Cathy.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Hospital Services
Emily Weston Cox, MA is the Manager of Hospital Services at Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency. Prior to joining LAORA in 2016, Emily taught bioethics and religion at Florida State University while pursuing her graduate degree. As manager of the hospital services team, Emily's focuses on cultivating hospital relationships and fostering a spirit of collaboration between LAORA and our service area partners. It is through these partnerships that the hospital services team provides donation data and education, sets achievement goals, and are a source of consistent communication for any hospital needs. Emily holds a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and a master's degree from Wake Forest University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director of Business Operations for Trauma, University of Miami
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vascular / Interventional Radiologist, Sheridan Healthcare - Vice - Chair
Job Titles:
- Manager of Quality and Compliance
Marc Basinger is the Sr. Manager of Quality and Compliance. He joined LAORA in 2008 and has served in multiple roles prior to advancing to his current role. His responsibilities include overseeing quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and data reporting. Marc holds a BSC from the University of Miami. A 40-year resident of South Florida, Mr. Basinger is married and has 2 children.
Job Titles:
- Director of Allocation and Preservation
Michael Osorio currently serves as the Director of Allocation and Preservation for Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency. Michael graduated from Florida State Fire College in 1999 and joined the Hialeah Fire Rescue Department where he also serves as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Hazmat Technician, andas an Underwater Search and Rescue Diver. Michael has shown a passion for saving lives over the last 21 years by combining his organ procurement profession with his service in the emergency medical community to campaign and raise awareness for the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. Michael's commitment to LAORA has been shown through his many roles as an Organ Preservation Perfusionist, Quality Assurance Associate Director and Associate Director of Allocation and Preservation. Michael's current role oversees allocation and surgical staff to ensure that regulatory guidelines are followed,and the gift of life is made possible for all recipients awaiting a lifesaving organ. In addition to his fire and rescue certifications, Michael earned his Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services from Miami Dade College, and he is a Certified Transplant Preservationist.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Organ Allocation and Recovery
Natalie Alderete, MPH, CPTC, is the Manager of Organ Allocation and Recovery at LAORA. She first joined LAORA in 2014 as a Hospital Service Coordinator and has served in multiple roles within the family services and clinical department prior to advancing to her current role. Natalie is currently responsible for overseeing the allocation desk and surgical recovery team. During her time with LAORA, Natalie has been responsible with the restructure of training for the clinical department and policy development. She is passionate of LAORA's mission and enjoys attending community events, alongside her family. Natalie earned a Bachelor's in Physiology and Master's in Public Health at the University of Miami and is a proud Miami Hurricane. Her husband is also a double Miami Hurricane, and both hope their daughter follows in their footsteps and attends their alma mater in the future.
Job Titles:
- Director OPO Strategic Operations
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Professor and Chairman Department of Surgery, University of Miami - Chair
Job Titles:
- Organ Procurement Manager
Rachel "Evie" Triozzi, RN, RVT, is the Family Services Manager at LAORA. She first joined LAORA in 2017 as a Donor Family Advocate. She is dedicated to honoring every family, every hero, and every legacy. Prior to joining LAORA, Evie worked as a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry where she served as a Training Provider for the Florida State of Department of Elder Affairs. Evie holds degrees in Nursing and Vascular Sonography. For over 20 years, Evie and her family have been active members in the community supporting organizations that provide education and resources for families and individuals in crisis throughout South Florida.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Memorial Healthcare System
Job Titles:
- Organ Procurement Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Quality
- Is Director of Quality
Sue McClung is Director of Quality. She joined the Life Alliance team in 2016. Ms. McClung has been involved in organ donation and transplantation since 1990. Her experience spans most functional areas, which allows her to bring a unique and broad perspective to the OPO. Her department provides support services to all areas of Life Alliance. Ms. McClung received her MBA from the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Ms. McClung is married and has four children.