Surgical Director, Sharing Hope South Carolina | Faculty Collaborator, PE Lab
A Lifelong Commitment to Transplant
Dr. Kenneth J. Woodside serves as the Surgical Director of Sharing Hope South Carolina, where he plays a leading role in advancing organ recovery and transplant services across the region. His journey in transplant began remarkably early—at just 19 years old—and has since evolved into a career defined by curiosity, innovation, and advocacy. Over the years, Dr. Woodside’s work has spanned everything from developmental immunology research to “big data” health services analysis, always with the goal of improving transplant access and outcomes. His most recent passions lie in expanding transplant access, embracing the use of higher-risk organs, and contributing to global health equity in transplantation.
A Spark That Became a Partnership
Dr. Woodside’s connection to the Patient Engagement Research Lab began with a serendipitous meeting with Dr. Amy Waterman. “When I met Amy,” he recalls, “she was so dynamic and excited about her work, as well as mine. The collaboration came naturally.” That mutual enthusiasm set the foundation for a strong partnership—one that bridges clinical expertise with patient-centered research, and pairs system-level thinking with grounded community engagement.
Deep Alignment with the PE Lab’s Mission
Dr. Woodside’s long-standing dedication to transplant is in perfect alignment with the PE Lab’s core mission: to increase access to care, elevate patient voices, and improve outcomes through cross-disciplinary collaboration. His broad research background gives him a unique ability to see the entire transplant ecosystem—from immunology to health systems, from donor families to global organ allocation. As he puts it, “My interests revolve around increasing access to transplant, using higher risk organs to meet the need, and improving transplant globally.” His approach underscores the PE Lab’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and impact.
Faculty, Mentor, and Systems Thinker
Within the PE Lab, Dr. Woodside serves as both a faculty collaborator and mentor to trainees, bringing decades of practical experience from both the transplant center and organ recovery organization perspectives. As the Lab transitions into a formal Center, he sees himself playing a continued role in harmonizing the goals of these two distinct but interconnected sectors. “I hope to bring a synthetic harmony between the often very different goals of each,” he explains—highlighting the value of unifying transplant professionals across silos to better serve patients and save lives.
Optimism in Action
What stands out most to Dr. Woodside about the PE Lab is its unwavering energy. “In these troubled times,” he says, “the optimistic enthusiasm of Amy and the group is infectious.” That energy, coupled with the Lab’s collaborative ethos, creates a space where bold ideas can grow, and where every participant—trainee, faculty, or partner—is encouraged to contribute their unique strengths.
A Unique Side: Science Meets Sci-Fi
When he’s not in the OR or mentoring rising stars in the field, Dr. Woodside finds joy in one of his lifelong fandoms: Doctor Who. A self-proclaimed fanatic, he brings the same curiosity and wonder from the TARDIS into his everyday work—asking big questions, traveling across systems (though not quite time), and always striving to make the world a little better.
A Vision of System-Wide Understanding
Dr. Woodside hopes the PE Lab continues to grow as a bridge—not just for patients, but for the entire transplant ecosystem. “I hope we increase not just access to transplant,” he shares, “but also understanding across transplant centers, organ recovery organizations, regulatory agencies, donor families, and patients.” His vision is one where goals are not only aligned, but harmonized—transforming fragmented systems into collaborative engines of life-saving care.
His Advice to New Collaborators?
“Hold on tight.”
Working with the PE Lab is a fast-moving, high-impact ride—one filled with purpose, partnership, and possibility.
With leaders like Dr. Kenneth J. Woodside on board, the Lab is charting a bold course toward a future where transplant is more accessible, more efficient, and more human.