Livingston, N.J. -- Two New Jersey students, Lisa Taggart, 23, of Manalapan, and Anna Tawfik, 17, of Colonia, recently received academic scholarships awarded by the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America, formerly known as the New York/New Jersey National Kidney Foundation. Both young women are kidney transplant recipients and patients of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant Centers.
They are among eight winners chosen from more than 40 applicants
from throughout the United States. Anna Tawfik
was presented with a $2,500 Ira Greifer, M.D.,
Scholarship for her academic achievement and commitment
to pursuing a higher education. After both of her
kidneys failed suddenly at age 13, Ms. Tawfik received
a kidney donated by her mother. "I am one of the
fortunate people, because I was able to have a
transplant," says Ms. Tawfik. She plans to "experience all that life
is offering and not take anything for granted."
Ms. Tawfik is a graduate of Colonia High School where she was a
member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish
Honor Society, as well as a peer assistant and
yearbook photo editor. Of all her extra curricular
activities, Ms. Tawfik says creative writing remains
her favorite. "Writing is what frees me and music
keeps me alive," she says. Ms. Tawfik was invited to read a selection
of her poems at the Barron Arts Center in Woodbridge earlier this
year and plays the guitar and harmonica. She began her first semester
at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., earlier this month.
Lisa Taggart was honored with a $500 Covelli Family Achievement
Award for her outstanding academic success. Having struggled
with kidney disease since infancy, she is the recipient
of two kidney transplants. "Lisa has overcome many
obstacles and the stress of living with chronic
illness," remarks Sally Goldstein, M.S.W., social worker for the
Saint Barnabas Medical Center Renal and Pancreas Transplant Center,
who nominated Ms. Taggart for the award.
Ms. Taggart is studying psychology and plans to work with children
in the future. Reflecting on her experience, she
says, "Kidney disease has definitely made me a
stronger person. It has taught me to be sensitive
to others and to look deeper than a person's exterior."
Ms. Taggart has just begun her second year at Georgian
Court College in Lakewood, N.J., where she maintains
a 3.8 grade point average.
The Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant
Division, located at Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, are among
the most active of 240 transplant centers in the United States and
offer the most up to date alternatives in renal and pancreas transplantation.
Saint Barnabas Medical Center performed New Jersey's first pediatric
transplant and remains the only program with experience transplanting
infants. Innovative programs include altruistic living donation and
less invasive laparoscopic surgery for donors.
For more information about the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division, please call
(888) 409-4707, or call the Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Transplantation at (973) 322-5264.
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