OHSU patient twice receives lifesaving kidney from her own family — 34 years apart

Remarkable multigenerational act of family devotion highlights the benefit of organ donation

By Erik Robinson March 27, 2025 Portland, OR

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Susan Posner received life-saving kidney donations 34 years apart at Oregon Health & Science University, the first from her brother, Ian Hawker, at left, in 1991, and then from her nephew, David Hawker, on Feb. 18. The family is sharing their story to encourage others to give the gift of life through organ donation. (Courtesy photo)

Courtesy

Chris Connelly M.D.

Oren Shaked M.D.

David Woodland M.D.

Kidney transplant milestone

OHSU surgeon John Barry, M.D., performed his 2,500th kidney transplant on Dec. 4, 2018. Since OHSU began offering kidney transplants in 1959, Barry, 78, has performed roughly half of them. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU patient twice receives lifesaving kidney from her own family 34 years apart

Kidney transplant recipient Susan Posner, center, received life-saving kidney donations 34 years apart at Oregon Health & Science University. In a special gathering at OHSU on March 31, she is flanked by her nephew, David Hawker, left, and brother, Ian Hawker, right. The medical team includes, left to right, Chris Connelly, M.D., John Barry, M.D., David Woodland, M.D., and Oren Shaked, M.D. (OHSU/Erik Robinson)