Michele is the mother of our founder, Kayla Pfab.  She was at Kayla’s side every step of her journey as Kayla’s mom, advocate, caregiver, sounding board, sous-chef, and all-around cheerleader. She met many other incredible souls along the way suffering from chronic illness and receiving transplant. Michele wants to be able to give others the support she and Kayla felt from so many and access to knowledge that was not always easy to find.

Cheryl works in Data Management for a major health care distribution company. She has watched a close family member go through an intestinal transplant, knows how difficult it can be and understands how valuable it can be to access accurate information. It is important to Cheryl that others feel supported and have a network they can rely on. In her spare time Cheryl enjoys traveling and being outside. 

Edie received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University and her Masters of Science in Nursing from Ursuline College. Her passion is critical care nursing. Edie knows both sides of the bed, as she was diagnosed with gastroparesis and CIPO. She had an isolated small bowel transplant in 2015. She enjoys playing with her dog, Molly, and is an avid baseball fan. Edie is dedicated to Intestinal Rehab & Transplant Unwrapped's mission and to guiding others through their journey with intestinal disease. 

Bethany is an Architect, Project Manager and a Board Member for Intestinal Rehab & Transplant Unwrapped. She has adapted and thrived despite struggles with GI issues her entire life. In 2018, she became an intestinal transplant patient, where she underwent life-saving surgery to remove her intestines. During recovery she decided to postpone transplant and continue to live dependent on I.V. nutrition which has allowed her to enjoy all aspects of life. Bethany is grateful for every day, good and bad, and seeks to share hope and passion with others living with chronic illness.  

Hannah Cawoski is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Duquesne University. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency and a PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency in Pain Management and Palliative Care. She currently works as the Addiction Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Allegheny Health Network, Center for Inclusion Health. Her clinical areas of interest include acute pain, chronic pain, substance abuse, and addiction medicine.

Wendy is originally from Northern California and slowly moved east before living in five different countries.  She currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and their Rhodesian Ridgeback Salka.  Wendy began having bowel trouble after a surgical procedure and ultimately underwent an isolated small bowel transplant in February 2022.  She is currently off all TPN and tube feeds and is taking every day as it comes and celebrating every small victory.  Wendy hopes to share any knowledge that she gained through years on TPN and tube feeds as well as the challenges of transplant with the Intestinal Rehab & Transplant Unwrapped community.

Transplant Unwrapped is excited to have Joan Bishop on the board as an advisor. Joan is now the Executive Director Emeritus for the Oley Foundation—a national non-profit organization that provides information and support to patients with intestinal failure dependent upon nutrition support to sustain themselves.  She has been with Oley since 1984—nearly its inception—and has served in many capacities, including the growth and development of the organization. As Executive Director, Joan handled a multitude of tasks it took to keep Oley running and growing, including budget planning, building relationships, advocacy efforts, fundraising, board development, coordinating annual conferences, and more. She is dedicated to fulfilling the Foundation’s mission.   

Kayla was the President and Founder of Transplant Unwrapped. Kayla achieved a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Duquesne University and was pursuing her Master of Physician Assistant Studies when she became too ill and required transplantation. She received two transplants, including an isolated intestinal transplant in November 2015 and a modified multivisceral transplant (stomach, pancreas, duodenum, and small intestine) in February 2019.

Kayla lived her life to the fullest, full of hope until she gained her wings in February, 2022. We are eternally grateful for her vision and passion for helping others and her belief that the education of both patients and clinicians can lead to better relationships and outcomes.