STSW Executive Board
- President: Clifton Hill (Vidant Medical Center)
- Vice President: Katie Newton (Baystate Medical Center)
- Secretary: Dawn Warfield (Johns Hopkins Hospital)
- Treasurer: Kristen DeVoe (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)
President - Clifton Hill
What transplant work do you do? 
I was first introduced to transplant through my work at the dialysis center, where I was a renal social worker for 10 years. About eight years ago I took my current position at ECU Health Medical Center. We have a kidney/pancreas transplant program that serves adults and pediatrics. I work in all areas of the program, though primarily with recipients.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I joined STSW within a couple of months of joining the transplant team. As a new transplant social worker is was so helpful to talk with others to get best practice ideas, and going to that first conference and new transplant social work session really helped me to solidify my role. I participated on the committee that developed the Pediatric Psychosocial Assessment Tool. I joined the Board four years ago as secretary. My work on the Board has given me even more appreciation for the work and knowledge that this group and our membership puts forth for our profession.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love theatre and while I have no aptitude for performing, make an effort to see all shows that come to the area. I volunteer with Carolina Basset Hound Rescue, and we’ve had at least one foster dog for the past seven years.
Vice President - Katie Newton
What transplant work do you do? 
I am kidney transplant and living donor social worker at Baystate Transplant Program in Springfield, Massachusetts. I began in this role in 2015. Prior to his I worked in various inpatient and outpatient medical settings, focusing primarily on oncology services.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I joined STSW in 2017 and attended my first STSW conference in 2018. Shortly after this I joined the tech committee and kidney committee. In 2020, I joined the board as the membership chair and continued to participate in the kidney committee, tech committee and joined the living donor committee. I also took the lead in tech needs for our annual conference. In 2022 I became the tech chair in addition to continuing my role as the membership chair. In 2023, I took on the role of vice president, while continuing with the tech chair role and ongoing involvement with the tech needs for our annual conference. I feel so honored and excited to be part of this organization and now a part of our board and executive board.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
In addition to spending time with my husband, two kids, two dogs and two cats, I love running, reading, playing the piano, crafts, going to as many musicals as I can, and watching Celtics basketball.
Treasurer - Chrissi White
What transplant work do you do?
I have been on the transplant team at AdventHealth since 2015. I have worked in liver, lung and living kidney donation. I’m currently the Social Worker and ILDA on the Living Donor team.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I received my CCTSW credentials in 2017. I have been a part of the living donor and lung committees. I served as the Living Donor chair from 2022- 2023 and the conference chair from 2020-2023. I’m excited to take on the new role of treasurer.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I love being a mom and spending time with my family.
Secretary - Lara Tushla
What transplant work do you do?
My role is with the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant teams. I work with people throughout the transplant continuum with the exception of inpatient discharge planning. I was an outpatient dialysis social worker for many years before joining the transplant team at Rush University Medical Center in 1998.What is your involvement in STSW?
Joining STSW was an obvious choice when I moved from the dialysis clinic setting to transplant. I maintain membership in STSW and the Council of Nephrology Social Workers through the National Kidney Foundation as there is much wisdom in both groups. I have attended a few conferences and even hosted one in Chicago many years ago. In June 2019, I joined the Board as the Public Policy Chair and transitioned to the Executive Committee as Secretary as of January 2024.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I enjoy traveling. Sometimes the only way to “get away” from work is to really “get away!” Also spending time with family and friends and cuddling with my senior, rescue cat.Past Treasurer - Kristen DeVoe
What transplant work do you do?
I am a senior social worker at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where I work with living kidney and living liver donors. Prior to this I worked in heart transplant/MCS for several years.
What is your involvement in STSW?
I have been involved in many capacities including working with membership to help register new members and renewals, especially as the conference approaches. I will soon be rotating of the credentialing committee after being part of that group since 2015. I am excited to be involved in a new way as treasurer.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I enjoy spending time with my partner and our 3 year old son. I also like to garden, bake and I really enjoy hiking when I can.
