Nora’s Home Welcomes Renowned Transplant Surgeon to Board of Directors
Nora’s Home, a Houston-based organization that offers support to transplant patients and their families as well as an affordable place to stay, is pleased to announce the addition of transplant surgeon Dr. Mark Hobeika to its board of directors. As one of the youngest transplant surgeons in Texas, Dr. Hobeika’s personable and dynamic persona will greatly benefit the already thriving organization and help maintain its status as the premier hospitality home for transplant patients in the Texas Medical Center. As a clinician, Dr. Hobeika can help raise awareness of the needs of transplant patients and their families.
“We are very excited that Dr. Hobeika is joining our team. His dedication to his field of study and esteemed reputation amongst his peers and the Houston community will help Nora’s Home become the primary national resource for all seeking information about transplantation,” says Kayla Lehmann, Nora’s Home Executive Director. “His experience and extraordinary bedside manner will be invaluable in bridging the relationship between a patient, the medical staff and the Nora’s Home team.”
As a member of the Nora’s Home Board of Directors, and as a transplant surgeon, Dr. Hobeika will bring his fresh perspective of the special care and environment necessary for both pre- and post-transplant patients who spend time at Nora’s Home. He will be instrumental in establishing a curriculum for the Nora’s Home Transplant Life Center, which provides a multi-tiered approach for educating patients on organ and stage specific aspects of transplantation including emotional, social, financial, nutritional, exercise, rehabilitation, etc.
A major focus in the curriculum is compliance of the unique transplant protocols as noncompliance is the third leading cause of graft loss. Adherence to medications and how patients follow dietary recommendations, monitor symptoms, maintain physical function, execute medical regimens and make decisions about seeking care will be addressed on an individual basis and through teleconferencing.
Dr. Hobeika is the Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Immunology and Organ Transplantation at UT Health and practices at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, where he performs pediatric and adult pancreas, kidney and liver transplantation. Dr. Hobeika also currently serves as the lead donor surgeon for the Memorial Hermann Living Donor Kidney Transplant Program.
“I am honored to be part of such a great organization,” says Dr. Hobeika. “Nora’s Home is truly a saving grace for transplant patients, and I am excited to be given the opportunity to help it grow.” Dr. Hobeika is a board certified general surgeon licensed by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons to perform pancreas, kidney and liver transplants. The University of Texas Medical School at Houston recently awarded him the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award for his passion and commitment to surgical education. In addition, Houstonian Magazine named him one of the “Top Doctors in Houston” selected by peer nomination. He is currently a member of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, Association of Academic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and the International Liver Transplantation Society.
Nora’s Home is the first hospitality home in the Gulf Coast region, specializing in the care of transplant patients. Located at 8300 El Rio Street near the Texas Medical Center, the new, self-supporting facility includes 16 private bedrooms and baths, a fully equipped kitchen, community room, chapel and education center and provides free shuttle services to and from the medical center. Built with the specific needs of transplant patients and their families in mind, Nora’s Home welcomes both inpatient and outpatient transplant patients and helps reduce the immense expenses incurred while undergoing transplant care. For more information, visit www.norashome.org or call 832.831.3720.