Lisa "Michelle" Middleton was a quiet, humble woman who was dedicated to her family, friends and work at RTI Surgical in the Sports Medicine Department. On March 5, 2014, Lisa had a sudden cardiac arrest while driving home from work. "As with all of our donors, Lisa became part of the never-ending story of donation," said her supervisor, Adam Poniatowski, senior operations manager at RTI. "Whenever tissue arrived from recovery, she had treated it with respect for the donor and the donor's family. Lisa had a big heart and was so giving. Having the chance to save lives through the donation of her heart valves was especially meaningful."

Lisa's Story

Lisa "Michelle" Middleton was a quiet, humble woman who was dedicated to her family, job and friends. Lisa enjoyed church and reading her Bible. "She was a woman of few words, yet you always remembered what she said. Her words always left an impression on you. She was helpful and the best listener I have ever come across," remembered her daughter Tara Bryant. "She was a dedicated mother and grandmother who found true joy in motherhood and lived her life for others."

Lisa worked with RTI Surgical for many years; she was considered part of the "family." A member of the Sports Medicine Department, she played a key role in the upkeep and monitoring of the tissue processing environment and ensuring the safety and quality of the gift of donation on off-hours. Lisa was responsible for critical tasks, including sampling of the pharmaceutical-grade processing water, certified air space, and aseptic work surfaces, all of which are maintained to the utmost standards.

On March 5, 2014, she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while driving home from work. "As with all of our donors, Lisa became part of the never-ending story of donation," said her supervisor, Adam Poniatowski, senior operations manager at RTI. "She had always been vocal about her commitment and passion for donation. Whenever tissue arrived from recovery that needed to be triaged and stored prior to medical review, she had treated it with respect for the donor and the donor's family."

Lisa's death was very difficult for everyone at RTI, but especially for Tara, who also works there as a Donor Quality Assurance Specialist. As a tissue donor, Lisa's gift was entrusted to RTI. Her teammates were responsible for the proper receipt of tissue, which meant that the people she worked with daily would be the ones to receive her tissue only hours after she passed away.

"Our hope is to receive thank-you letters from the recipients of Lisa's heart valves and tissues so that we may give her family the comfort that comes from knowing someone you love has done a great thing," Adam noted. "Lisa had a big heart and was so giving. Having the chance to save lives through the donation of her heart valves was especially meaningful."