BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Hickey, President

Liver Transplant Recipient

BRENT FLYNN, MEMBER AT LARGEKidney Transplant Recipient, 1995Brent received a kidney from his brother in 1995 at Loyola University Medical Center and has been a member of OTS since 1994. He recently retired after 40 years in the financial services i…

BRENT FLYNN, Vice President

Kidney Transplant Recipient, 1995

Brent received a kidney from his brother in 1995 at Loyola University Medical Center and has been a member of OTS since 1994. He is retired after 40 years in the financial services industry. Brent and his wife Nancy reside in Wheaton. They are the parents of three young adults, two residing in Chicago and one in Henderson, NV. Nancy made an altruistic kidney donation in 2012.

DIMA ABUSHAABAN, TREASURERKidney Transplant Recipient, 2011Dima Abushaaban continues to serve as OTS Treasurer. She received her kidney transplant at Northwestern from a live donor in 2011 and reached out to OTS 6 months post-transplant to see how s…

DIMA ABUSHAABAN, TREASURER

Kidney Transplant Recipient, 2011

Dima Abushaaban continues to serve as OTS Treasurer. She received her kidney transplant at Northwestern from a live donor in 2011 and reached out to OTS 6 months post-transplant to see how she could help. She has been Treasurer ever since. Dima has worked both in the US and the Middle East and has experience in management consulting, corporate strategy and healthcare.

NIMFA MELESIO, RECORDING SECRETARYLiver Transplant Recipient, 2000Nimfa is a long time member of OTS, and she received a liver transplant in 2000. She has been actively involved in advocating for organ donation over the years. One of her highlights …

NIMFA MELESIO, Director-at-Large

Liver Transplant Recipient, 2000

Nimfa is a long time member of OTS, and she received a liver transplant in 2000. She has been actively involved in advocating for organ donation over the years. One of her highlights was the opportunity to be on the Donate Life float for the Rose Bowl Parade in 2005. An awesome experience!

Nimfa is currently employed as an Administrative Office Manager at the Elmhurst Park Distrist. She also works part-time as an Adult Services Librarian at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library. This year Nimfa and her husband will celebrate 39 years of marriage. They have two daughters who are both married.

CAROL OLASH, Heart Transplant Recipient, 2002Carol Olash becomes the President of OTS after serving as the Communications Secretary since 2014. She received a heart transplant in 2002 from Loyola Medical Center. Carol has been a member of O…

CAROL OLASH, Mentor Program Manager

Heart Transplant Recipient, 2002

Carol Olash moves to the position of Mentor Program Manager after serving as President for 5 years. Carol has been a member of OTS for over 12 years and she was the newsletter editor for 5 years before joining the board. She was also on the board of the Have a Heart Support Group before OTS.

Carol received a heart transplant in 2002 from Loyola Medical Center. She lives in Palatine with her husband Eric.

KAREN GRIBEL, COORDINATING SECRETARYKaren's lived in all the states that start with the letter "I." Now she continues her professional student status as a reference librarian in Chicago. She and Sharon will celebrate 18 years together this June. The…

KAREN GRIBEL, Communications Secretary

Karen's lived in all the states that start with the letter "I." Now she continues her professional student status as a reference librarian in Chicago. She and Sharon will celebrate 18 years together this June. Their family includes three cats and a dog, Poirot.

SHARON BROWN COORDINATING SECRETARYPancreas Transplant Recipient, 2007Sharon is originally from Decatur, IL. She graduated from Indiana University and has worked as an artist ever since. In 2007 she received a pancreas transplant from the University…

SHARON BROWN Communications Secretary

Pancreas Transplant Recipient, 2007

Sharon is originally from Decatur, IL. She graduated from Indiana University and has worked as an artist ever since. In 2007 she received a pancreas transplant from the University of Chicago. She is happy to help OTS!

Daniel Ahern, MEMBER REGISTRARHeart Transplant Recipient, 2017Daniel Ahern worked for 26 years for the Chicago Transit Authority.  He retired from the CTA as the Manager of Operations, responsible for over 2,100 buses and 1,190 rail cars, servicing …

DANIEL AHERN, Director-at-Large

Heart Transplant Recipient, 2017

Daniel Ahern worked for 26 years for the Chicago Transit Authority. He retired from the CTA as the Manager of Operations, responsible for over 2,100 buses and 1,190 rail cars, servicing 220 square miles of Chicago and 40 suburbs.

Daniel received a heart transplant in October 2017. This transplant has given him the opportunity to volunteer for many important organizations while incrasing awareness of the need for organ and tissue donations. He is also able to spend time with his three children and three grandchildren. Because of his gift of life with a heart transplant Daniel is looking forward to the future.