National Society for Transplant Social Workers honors Utah Catholic Pat Voorhes

Friday, Nov. 06, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Pat Voorhes was recently the recipient of the 2015 Judy Midelfort Memorial Award from the Society for Transplant Social Workers.   

The society’s National Social Worker of the Year Award was given to Voorhes for her significant contributions to the transplant field. Voorhes, a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, is in her second term as the national STSW treasurer. 

STSW began 30 years ago recognizing heart transplant social workers, then expanded to heart and lung transplant social workers, and in 1991 included all social workers and all organs, said Voorhes. 

“I was very honored to receive this award because I feel like it is a reward and an honor just to help these patients with a life-saving organ,” Voorhes said. “Every day is kind of overwhelming just helping them; they are very appreciative. I really do love my job.”

Voorhes has worked in all organ transplants and now specializes in liver transplants. She prepares potential recipients by performing a psycho-social evaluation on their mental health, substance abuse issues, support system and ability to manage the transplant to see if a transplant is an option. If the recipient is a substance abuser, she manages the pre- and post-substance rehabilitation. 

“Liver patients are very sick before a transplant and need a lot of family support that includes long hospitalizations; recipients are often from out of state and must relocate, so I help families find affordable housing and resources,” she said.

Voorhes also sees patients die waiting for a transplant. “That’s also kind of a privilege,” she said. “I’m involved with the families and I’ve been present supporting them when patients have passed away. Even though it’s painful to see them in pain, it’s an honor to be with them and support the family. I help with funeral arrangements, cremation and sending the bodies home. The hospital offers a caregiver support group because the transplant process is so long and hard.”

Voorhes began her career as a social worker in 2000 when she received a master’s degree. She worked for six years in adolescent residential treatment centers and an eating disorder clinic. In 2008, she became a certified clinical transplant social worker at the University of Utah Transplant Center in the solid organ transplant department. 

From childhood, Voorhes wanted to be a nurse but struggled in high school with chemistry, she said. “Medical social work was a dream of mine for years; it was a dream come true. It is such a fantastic place to work; I experience my own expertise as a social worker and I am in the medical field.”

Voorhes also has a long career in the Council of Catholic Women. Bishop William Weigand drew upon her expertise when he wanted to form the Wasatch Deanery after the Salt Lake Deanery became too large. 

“He asked me and then-Father [Robert] Servatius to form the Wasatch Deanery in 1985,” said Voorhes, who became the first Wasatch Deanery president. She then became the DCCW president from 1992 to 1994, then the National Council of Catholic Women Church Commissioner for two years, the NCCW secretary for two years, and then the NCCW Family Services Commissioner.

“I’ve stayed active with the DCCW and I am in my second term as secretary,” she said. “I like the organization, and I am really not one to just sit at a meeting, I prefer to take minutes or do something.” 

Voorhes’ DCCW friends say she is very organized.

Bonnie Siegrist, DCCW president, met Voorhes when she was DCCW president and “she introduced me to the DCCW board and brought me on as the Family Concerns Commissioner,” said Siegrist, adding that Voorhes introduced many other women to the DCCW and the deanery. 

“Pat has a way about her that is very calming; she is a great listener,” said Siegrist. “She gives 200 percent to everything; she is a woman of many talents, yet she is so humble.” 

“She was the Blessed Sacrament director of religious education and the pastoral associate, without the title,” said Becky Hicks.

Linda Popish remembers when the members of the CCW used to meet in each other’s homes, but then Voorhes organized it so they could meet at the church. 

“Pat is an excellent seamstress; two years ago she made the Our Lady of Good Council banner,” Popish said. “She makes diaper bags, purse compartments, quilts; she is a woman of many talents and she is a great mentor.”