Champions for Donation are individuals and organizations undertaking exceptional efforts to advance organ and tissue donation and transplantation, either through direct professional work or advocacy on behalf of the mission of Indiana Donor Network. Their continued dedication to saving and healing lives is truly outstanding. We are excited to celebrate the 2024 Champions for Donation at this year’s Angel Fund Gala.
2024 Champions for Donation
Susie Guyer
Chief Communication and Engagement Officer
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Susie Guyer is the chief communication and engagement officer at Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, charged with expanding the agency’s focus on engaging Hoosiers and Hoosier businesses. Previously, she was the executive director of marketing and communications at the BMV.
Before joining the BMV, Guyer worked in the automotive refinish industry in marketing, brand management and vendor engagement roles.
A lifelong Hoosier, Guyer earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University.
Almost all organ donor registrations occur at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch. Susie has been instrumental in increasing the education on organ donation available to Hoosiers when they visit thr BMV. One such initiative was the Mascots4Life campaign, which featured the Indianapolis Colts’ mascot Blue in donation education materials to all of Indiana’s 137 BMV branches. Susie continuously demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the mission of Indiana Donor Network, using creativity and a collaborative spirit to help save lives through organ donation.
Mike Keller
Owner
Keller Mortuary Services
Mike Keller, a licensed funeral director in Indiana, is the founder and owner of Keller Mortuary Services, Keller Cremation Services and Family Forever Pet Cremation.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Indiana State University and an associate of applied science in mortuary science from Ivy Tech Community College. Keller is credentialed as a forensic crime scene investigator by Northwestern’s Center for Public Safety and a medicolegal death investigator by St. Louis University’s School of Medicine.
He has been an advisory board member of the mortuary science program at Ivy Tech for 15 years and a board member of the Indiana State Anatomical Board for five years.
Mike has been an instrumental partner for Indiana Donor Network as a lead on the Funeral Council. He provides honest feedback and recommendations that have positively impacted relationships with funeral directors while serving the families of donor heroes. His dedication to increasing communication and collaboration helps improve lifesaving donation and transplantation.
Johnson County Coroner’s Office
Under the Leadership of Coroner Michael Pruitt
The Johnson County, Indiana Coroner’s Office in Franklin, Indiana, provides professional, compassionate, and timely death investigations in Johnson County. They aim to conduct thorough examinations, preserve evidence, and document relevant information surrounding each death case. In addition to investigative duties, the Johnson County Coroner’s Office also plays a critical role in supporting the families of the deceased.
Michael Pruitt
Michael Pruitt serves as Johnson County coroner and SWAT medic for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, while also fulfilling his full-time role as Deputy Chief of the Bargersville Fire Department. A 38-year fire service veteran, Pruitt started his career as a firefighter and paramedic and retired after 20 years with Wayne Township Fire Department in Indianapolis.
While with Wayne Township, he became state coordinator of Indiana Project Lifesaver, which provides search and rescue training to law enforcement and public safety agencies. He is a 15-year member of Indiana Task Force 1 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team. He responded and provided rescue services during the federal government’s responses to 15 major U.S. hurricanes.
In 2024, Michael will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in emergency management from Purdue Global.
Michael successfully implemented the Indiana Donor Network coroner’s office referral program. Since implementing the program in 2020, his office has called in 365 referrals resulting in the healing of 2,652 people through tissue donation. Programs and partnerships like these serve as models for peers throughout the state, inspiring and guiding others to similarly work with Indiana Donor Network to save and heal lives.
2023 Champions for Donation
Indiana Funeral Directors Association
Under the leadership of Executive Director and CEO Andy Clayton, CFSP
The Honorable Blake Doriot
Indiana State Senator for District 12
Kathy Langdon
District Coach for Physical Education and Health and Wellness
Indianapolis Public Schools
Luke White, DO
Medical Director, Medical Critical Care Quality Improvement and Control
Beacon Health System
2022 Champions for Donation
Michael GeRue, RN, MSN
Chief Operating Officer
Parkview Heart Institute
Kathleen Matuszak, MPA
General Manager and Executive Vice President
St. Joseph Funeral Home and Cemetery
Christopher Poulos, MD
Chief Forensic Pathologist
Marion County Coroner’s Office
Lifetime Champion for Donation awarded to:
Tim E. Taber, MD, FACP
Professor Emeritus, Indiana University School of Medicine
Retired Chief Medical Officer, Indiana Donor Network
2021 Champions for Donation
Michael J. Hobson, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical Director, Pediatric ICU, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Brian David Leland, MD, FAAP
Medical Director for Pediatric Ethics at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Director, Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics Clinical Ethics Fellowship
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care at Indiana University School of Medicine
Michael J. Hobson, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical Director, Pediatric ICU, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Brian David Leland, MD, FAAP
Medical Director for Pediatric Ethics at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Director, Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics Clinical Ethics Fellowship
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care at Indiana University School of Medicine
Michael J. Hobson, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical Director, Pediatric ICU, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Brian David Leland, MD, FAAP
Medical Director for Pediatric Ethics at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Director, Fairbanks Center for Medical Ethics Clinical Ethics Fellowship
Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care at Indiana University School of Medicine
Brady Dubois, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Lutheran Hospital
Brady Dubois, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Lutheran Hospital
Brady Dubois
Chief Executive Officer, Lutheran Hospital
Marion County Coroner’s Office
Under the leadership of Coroner
Leeandrea Sloan, MD
Marion County Coroner’s Office
Under the leadership of Coroner
Leeandrea Sloan, MD
Marion County Coroner’s Office
Under the leadership of Coroner