Webinars

The Lasso Way: Lessons from Ted Lasso on Navigating Prior Known Wishes
 

Webinar Information

Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) professionals have long recognized the clarity that comes with a registered First-Person Authorization (FPA). Yet when a patient is unregistered, conversations surrounding previously known wishes have become one of the most challenging—and increasingly common—barriers to donation. Families frequently invoke the voice of the deceased through statements such as, "They told me they never wanted to be a donor," or "He never wanted to be on machines." But what do these statements truly represent? Are they expressions of deeply held wishes, grief-shaped interpretations, or something in between?

Grounded in the philosophy of Ted Lasso—"Be curious, not judgmental"—this session challenges participants to rethink how they approach these conversations. Through practical communication strategies, attendees will examine the hidden "translation errors" that can emerge during acute grief, explore the Spectrum of Decedent Wishes, and discover how structured curiosity can uncover the story behind a family's words while preserving trust, compassion, and ethical practice. Participants will leave with a practical framework for classifying previously known wishes, approaching every conversation with structured curiosity, and developing the discernment to distinguish grief- and fear-driven interpretations from authentic, deeply held patient refusals.

SPEAKER INFORMATION

Victoria A Burns, RN, CPTC, CT

Authorization Manager

Gift of Life Donor Program

Victoria Burns brings more than 30 years of healthcare experience, with a background in critical care, hospice, hospital administration, and organ donation. Since joining Gift of Life Donor Program in 2008, she has focused on supporting families through complex conversations surrounding grief, loss, and donation. She is certified in Thanatology and as an end-of-life doula, with a particular passion for creating meaningful “good death experiences” for patients and families.

As Authorization Manager at Gift of Life Donor Program, Victoria leads efforts to strengthen authorization through education, coaching, simulation, and communication strategy. She is also adjunct faculty with the Gift of Life Institute, where she shares her expertise in communication, family support, and the human experience of donation with donation professionals nationwide.

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2026 NATCO Webinar Series Schedule

August 20, 2026 

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September 17, 2026

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October 15, 2026

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November 19, 2026

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December 17, 2026

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