'Newsmakers' to focus on Geisinger transplant surgery, Gift of Life program

Organ transplant surgery and the Gift of Life program will be the focus of this Sunday's "Newsmakers" on WBRE-TV.

Senior Producer Jayne Ann Bugda and the I-team's Andy Mehalshick host the monthly public affairs program.

The panel will include Dr. Chintalapati Varma, director of Geisinger Transplant and Liver Surgery; Diane James, RN, MSN, manager of the Living Donation Gift of Life Donor Program; and Jeanne Herrmann, kidney donor.

The 30-year history of Geisinger Medical Center transplant surgery will be highlighted. The transplant processes and details of the surgery will be discussed. Varma will talk about the importance of having this type of procedure available in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.

He will also focus on how the Geisinger's transplant surgery has grown and progressed over the past three decades.

"Newsmakers" will air Sunday at 5:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on WBRE-TV. The program will be re-broadcast 6 a.m. Saturday, July 2 on WYOU-TV and at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, July 3 on WBRE-TV.