Former Army Doctor Reflects on Life-Saving Heart Transplant and His Recovery at Henry Ford Health

DETROIT – A soldier who spent years helping save lives, working as a medic in the Army, is speaking out and urging people to consider becoming an organ donor.

Lisa Haney said her life was like a drama.

“I said I would write a book,” Haney joked during his visit to Henry Ford Health.

We all know that dramas have their twists and turns. And Haney’s personal story is no exception.

“This is another episode here,” Haney said. “So this will be a chapter here.”

Haney grew up on Detroit’s west side. She spent most of her career in the military, including serving as a combat medic in the U.S. Army.

“There weren’t a lot of us as doctors,” Haney says. “There weren’t a lot of us in the company. So everybody knows who you are.”

After 13 years, Sergeant Haney decided not to reenlist.

“If you’re over 40, you have to have an EKG before you leave the department,” Haney said.

It was during this EKG that Haney said the medical team noticed something abnormal. She was told her heart rate was extremely low. Haney was informed she needed a pacemaker.

Then other dramas happened.

“Another transition,” she said. “I started having symptoms. Auras, I call them. A fainting feeling. Sweats.”

Haney admitted that she didn’t tell anyone about her heart problems. Even her family didn’t know about her condition until it was dangerously late.

“They took the pacemaker out and put the defibrillator in,” Haney said. “The one that can shock you. And that’s what he did throughout the whole operation. He shocked me multiple times.”

It had become clear that the woman family members once considered a strong soldier was not in good health.

“It was important that we really understood how we needed to support her,” said Concetta Lewis, her cousin and patient advocate.

Doctors at Henry Ford Health told Haney it was time to consider a heart transplant, so she was placed on the donor waiting list.

“At our center, we do an average of 25 to 30 transplants a year,” said Dr. Lindey Aurora, a cardiologist specializing in advanced heart failure and transplantation at Henry Ford Health. She is part of the team working with Haney.

Health professionals said there are some challenges related to organ donation and access to organs.

“Right now, I can just say there’s an imbalance between supply and demand,” Dr. Aurora explained. “We have a lot of patients with heart failure, advanced heart failure, who need transplants and don’t have enough donors. So that’s one of the biggest challenges.”

Haney’s drama took an unexpected turn in August 2023. She received a new heart. Her family helped her recover.

For now, the former soldier said her mission is to raise awareness and advocate for organ donation throughout the metro Detroit area.

“If you’re interested, it can help a lot of people,” Haney said.

Haney said she had the opportunity to connect with her donor’s family through the Gift of Life organization.

Haney and doctors said people can be proactive and become organ donors by talking with their health care providers and checking the donor box when obtaining a state-issued license.

Read: How do I register to become an organ and tissue donor?

People can register to donate organs, tissues and eyes at the end of their lives to someone in need of a transplant. They can also consider a “living donation” – giving a kidney or part of their liver to someone in need. while both individuals are alive.

Michigan residents can register using Michigan’s Online Organ Donor Registry Or register for organ donation when renewing or applying for a replacement license or state ID card.

Gift of Life Michiganan organization that facilitates organ and tissue donation, works with the Michigan Secretary of State to develop and maintain the registry, you can Click here to learn more and register to become a donor.