Liver Transplantation

In late November 2025, April Doty noticed some unusual swelling in her legs and ankles. At 48 years old, she was used to seeing her social media feed filled with information about menopause and quickly dismissed the discomfort she was feeling as just another symptom.

But despite changing her diet and committing to more exercise over the next few weeks, the swelling continued to get worse, until one evening, she couldn’t even walk up the stairs at her home. The next day, she went to the Emergency Room at OSF Healthcare’s Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, near her home.

At the hospital, April learned that she had over 75 pounds of fluid buildup in her legs and abdomen as a result of Stage 4 liver disease. Doctors also told her that her MELD score was 38. The model for end-stage liver disease score, or MELD, is a 6- to 40-point scale used to measure liver function and determine how urgently someone needs a transplant. April’s score indicated serious risk of immediate liver failure.

As it happens, OSF St. Francis in Peoria is home to one of the UI Health Liver Transplant Program’s outreach clinics. April was immediately referred to the UI Health clinic, where she connected with liver transplant coordinator Lisa Mariano to discuss her transplant options. 
 
“Lisa called me on a Thursday, and I had an appointment with Dr. (Jamie) Berkes the following Tuesday,” April remembered. “The team heard my story and immediately got the ball rolling to meet me, explain my options, and start testing. If I could use one word for the experience, I’d go with “efficient” — especially at a time when it was life-or-death for me.” 
 
After April’s initial consultation with Dr. Berkes, a UI Health hepatologist and transplant surgeon, her care team was able to clear an infection in her body and reduce her MELD score to 27, but she was still in the danger zone. On Feb. 6, 2026, April and Dr. Berkes decided to add her name to the deceased donor transplant list with the goal of getting a quick match. 
 
And on the evening of Feb. 19, that match came. The next day, April’s future liver was on a flight to Chicago, and the following morning, she made her drive to UI Health to undergo life-saving transplant surgery.

 

About 40 days later, April was on her way back to Peoria with a healthy liver and fresh outlook on life. But not after forming a deep connection with the care team that guided her to this point. 
  
“I had some dark moments post-transplant. There were days when I didn’t feel like I deserved the second chance I was getting,” she admitted. “But everyone treated me with such dignity and respect, not like just another patient. It gave me so much willpower to recover and gratitude for the future I get to have.” 
 
“I’ll never forget how everyone made me feel,” she added. “I had the option to follow up with doctors in my hometown, but I said no. I don’t care if I have to make a longer drive. I trust Dr. Berkes and the team here.”