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Nurse remembered for dedication, service
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Kerry J. Mensching, a nurse and outcomes manager with the Transplant
Center, died March 27 after battling cancer. She began working as an
inpatient transplant coordinator in May 2003 and later worked as a
vascular access coordinator before being named a transplant outcomes
manager in 2005. She was 54.
 Kerry Mensching
Mensching was born Oct. 16, 1955 in upper New York state. She was
remembered for her dependability, faith, dedication to others and
compassion for animals.
She also was the founder and president of the Lowcountry’s Grateful
Goldens Rescue, a dog rescue group dedicated to the rescue and
placement of Golden Retriever puppies and dogs, which she established
in 1993.
Mensching is survived by fiancé, Karl Besse of Massachusetts; mother,
Marian Mensching of Catskill, New York; sisters, Judy Muller of
Summerville and Susan Amdur of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; and other
family members. A service to celebrate her life and rescue work will be
announced.
Donations in her memory may be made to Grateful Goldens Rescue (GGRLC), 1406 Waterlily Drive, Mount Pleasant, S.C., 29464.
“I still picture Kerry sitting at the table and twirling her glasses! I
owe her so much for her dedication in getting us data in a timely
fashion and keeping us on track with UNOS requirements and data for
several research abstracts. She was truly “Ms. Quality” for the
transplant programs. I have never seen her as happy when a few months
ago, Laura questioned her about the new ring on her finger! She will be
dearly missed.”
—Prabhakar K. Baliga, M.D., Transplant Surgery
“Kerry dedicated her life to saving golden retrievers, and saved over
1,000 dogs through her efforts. She got me involved in fostering
because I was her office mate. My children have learned how
to give love and let it go, especially when it is in the best interest
of the dog. They have learned to share, open their hearts, love
dogs of all ages with all kinds of personalities. I know that
these lessons translate into life lessons. I am grateful to Kerry
for helping me teach my children valuable life lessons. She has
left a “paw print” on the hearts of my family.”
—Colleen C. Kovacs, RN, Trident Technical College
“Kerry was a no-nonsense quality manager. She believed in accuracy, and
she exemplified integrity. She wanted the transplant center to grow and
be the best it could be. Her hard work paid off. She
expected everyone to be as passionate as she was for transplant. On the
flip side, you’d mention a golden retriever, and she’d just melt. She
had an inner softness.”
—Sara Stello, MUSC Transplant
“Every day I am thankful for all that Kerry taught me about transplant,
her convictions and her ability to demystify the language of UNOS. She
had a wicked sense of humor, and was so dedicated to her Goldens. I
will carry a little of her with me always.”
—Debra Bernardina, former employee who works at Duke
“For those of you who knew her, we will miss her. For those who didn’t,
she is the one instrumental for setting up MUSC with the automated
Donornet sites to help patients and M.D.’s better access organs. Her
role in this program has helped to make it hugely successful. We are
proud to have had the opportunity to help her meet her goals.”
—Jane Lunn, Hospital Communications
“Kerry had a very strong work ethic and passion for the
Transplant Center and our patients. She gave guidance and
ensured compliance with regulatory changes mandated by UNOS and CMS,
which wasn’t always an easy job. She always stayed true to her beliefs
and I learned a lot from her personally over this last year about
dealing with struggles in our lives. I am grateful for the time that I
knew her and will miss her.”
—Katherine B. Taylor, Transplant Business Manager
Friday, April 9
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