Permission to Thrive: Susan Angel Miller on Grief, Organ Donation and Laura’s Legacy

Permission to Thrive: Susan Angel Miller on Grief, Organ Donation and Laura’s Legacy

In this episode of the REIMAGINE Podcast, Gabe Schnickel, MD, MPH, speaks with Susan Angel Miller about the life and legacy of her daughter, Laura, who died suddenly at age 14 after an aggressive brain tumor. Amid profound shock and grief, Susan and her family made the decision to donate Laura’s organs — a decision that saved the life of Trish, a critically ill liver recipient. The gift of life created ripples of connection, meaning and advocacy that continue today. Susan shares the story of Laura’s creativity, kindness and ambition; the unimaginable experience of losing a child; the role of community in grief; and the healing power of continuing to say Laura’s name. She also reflects on the relationship her family developed with Trish, the founding of SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates by her daughter Sarah, and the lessons she has learned about resilience, vulnerability and human connection.  This is a conversation about grief without easy answers, donation as an act of love, and the possibility of finding meaning after devastating loss. The REIMAGINE Podcast is produced by Leila Adler, with theme music by Geoff Bowman. The views expressed by guests featured on the REIMAGINE Podcast are those of the individual, and do not represent the opinions of UC San Diego.

Printing Organs: The Future of Transplantation with Shaochen Chen, PhD

In this episode, Gabriel Schnickel, MD, MPH, sits down with Shaochen Chen, PhD, to discuss using 3D bioprinting to develop functional, patient-specific livers. Chen is a professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering who is exploring the rapidly advancing field of 3D bioprinting and its potential to transform transplantation. Chen describes his journey from studying mechanical engineering and laser-based manufacturing to light-based bioprinting technologies capable of building complex living tissue. Together, Chen and Schnickel explore the scientific, technological and human implications of a future where organs may be engineered rather than donated — and what that could mean for patients, clinicians and the transplant ecosystem.  Read more about 3D bioprinting organs: https://today.ucsd.edu/story/arpa-h-project-awarded-at-uc-san-diego-aims-to-end-liver-transplant-sh… [https://today.ucsd.edu/story/arpa-h-project-awarded-at-uc-san-diego-aims-to-end-liver-transplant-shortage-with-3d-bioprinting] The podcast is produced by Leila Adler with theme music by Geoff Bowman. The views expressed by guests featured on the REIMAGINE Podcast are those of the individual, and do not represent the opinions of UC San Diego.

Claire’s gift: How one life continues to ripple outward

In this moving episode of the REIMAGINE Podcast, Gabe Schnickel, MD, MPH, speaks with Karen Tipler, MD, an emergency physician, donor mother and volunteer advocate with Life Sharing. Karen shares the story of her daughter Claire, a vibrant young artist whose life continues to impact others in profound ways. Through the lens of both physician and parent, Tipler offers a deeply personal account of navigating the ICU, making sense of organ donation and finding meaning in the midst of loss. She reflects on the small moments of compassion that mattered most, the importance of communication and the enduring connections formed through donation. This conversation is a powerful reminder of what it means to care for patients and families at their most vulnerable, and how one life can continue to ripple outward in ways we may never fully see. Music by Geoff Bowman Produced by Leila Adler The views expressed by guests featured on the REIMAGINE Podcast are those of the individual, and do not represent the opinions of UC San Diego.

Courage Before Confidence: Amy Purdy on Resilience and the Power of Gratitude

In this deeply moving episode, Gabe Schnickel, MD, MPH, sits down with Amy Purdy and her father, Stef Purdy, to explore a story that goes far beyond survival. At 19 years old, Amy developed meningococcal meningitis and was given less than a 2% chance of survival. She ultimately lost both of her legs, experienced kidney failure, and later underwent a life-saving kidney transplant — with her father as her donor. But this conversation is not simply about what happened. It is about how Amy rebuilt her life, how she redefined her identity, and how she continues to live with intention, courage, and gratitude. Together, Amy and Stef reflect on the emotional and physical challenges they faced, the strength they discovered and how their relationship evolved through the experience. Amy shares the mindset shifts that carried her forward — including her philosophy of “courage before confidence,” her ability to reframe life’s hardest moments as a “second chance” and her daily practice of gratitude as a way to stay present. This episode is a powerful exploration of resilience, love and what it means to move forward when life changes in an instant. Music by Geoff Bowman Produced by Leila Adler Reference to UC San Diego does not imply endorsement or support of any product, service or company involved. The Regents of the University of California and UC San Diego are not connected or affiliated with, nor do they endorse, favor or support any product or service of Amy Purdy.

A Heart Reborn: Faiyaz Elahi on Survival, Systems, and Purpose

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation, Faiyaz Elahi recounts his unexpected descent into heart failure, prolonged hospitalization, and eventual heart transplantation. He describes the emotional and psychological trauma of critical illness, the challenge of accepting transplant as his only path forward, and the pivotal role that compassionate communication played in his journey. Drawing on his background in technology, Faiyaz shares how his lived experience is now shaping a vision to redesign transplant systems using data, artificial intelligence, and human-centered thinking. This episode explores survival, meaning, and the opportunity to reimagine the transplant experience through both compassion and innovation. Music by Geoff Bowman Produced by Leila Adler