From News Desk to School Desk

Portland TV anchor Elizabeth Dinh exchanged her news desk for a school desk to speak with teens at De La Salle North Catholic High School this week. Dinh shared her experience as a recipient of a kidney transplant with teens in three health classes.

As a new member of MIKE’s Board of Directors, Dinh, a news anchor with Portland’s Fox 12 Oregon, was thrilled at the chance to engage with teens in promoting healthy kidneys. She described her ordeal and how she managed the initial diagnosis of IgA nephropathy (a disease of the kidney) to receiving one of her husband’s kidneys in 2012. By sharing her story, Elizabeth provides the youth with a unique opportunity to talk with someone who’s undergone a kidney transplant.

MIKE regularly hosts content experts and guest speakers for the youth to provide direct interactions with a variety of health care professionals. Such experiences expand academic and career possibilities for MIKE youth.

The teens responded to Elizabeth’s talk with a variety of questions. They were eager to learn more about Elizabeth’s ordeal and how she stays positive and healthy. She also answered questions about her career, college and hobbies, giving the youth a well-rounded insight into her life.