At age 2, Trine Engebretsen became Florida's first liver transplant recipient. She has made a lifetime commitment to helping others receive organ replacements and encouraging others to donate.

Trine Engebretsen

1999 Science

Fort Lauderdale

High School

Q: What was your Silver Knights service project?

A: I co-authored a curriculum called Life 101, a general overview of organ donation. We'd bring in organ donors, family members, transplant recipients or healthcare professionals, and they would speak to students.

It was translated into English, Spanish and Creole and taught to over 63,000 students in Dade and Broward counties.

Q: How did you get involved with organ transplants?

A: When I was 2, I became Florida's first liver transplant recipient, so I was always involved, always attending public events . . . people wanted to see me to see if I looked `normal.'

Q: Where do you keep your award?

A: In my office, on my bookshelf. It's underneath my diploma and next to my American Society of Transplant Physicians Outstanding Achievement Award.

Q:What are you doing now?

A: I work for the Organ Procurement Agency for the University of Miami. We recover organs south of Lake Okeechobee. I review donor medical records to make sure they're accurate and that they meet national standards. On weekends, I'm responsible for keeping the kidneys viable for transplant: cold, sterile and monitored 24/7.

Q: Where do you go from here?

A: I just got accepted to grad school for a one-year master's program: biomedical science at Barry University. Now, I'm applying to medical school.

Q: What was winning the Silver Knight like for you?

A: For me, it was a big thank you. As a transplant recipient I always say that I'm thanking the community for donating. I've spent many ways trying to say thank you and it was nice to be acknowledged for my efforts.

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