2022 Bounce Back Runner Up - Dr. Karin Hehenberger
Westport, CT, local Dr. Karin Hehenberger was among the three runners-up for this year's award. CKF is honored to acknowledge and celebrate Karin’s dedication to the transplant community across the country.
Just before her 17th birthday Dr. Hehenberger was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D); she continued with her life with this diagnosis becoming an executive with Johnson and Johnson responsible for Metabolic strategy. However, in 2008 her diagnosis caught up with her, and it became apparent that she would need a kidney transplant. So in 2009, Karin’s father donated his kidney to her saving her life! Dr. Hehenberger joined the leadership team of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation after her transplant with two goals in mind. One to improve the quality of life for T1D patients and two to find a cure for T1D. In 2010 her health began to fail again until she received the gift of life through a pancreas transplant from a deceased donor.
Before her transplant, Karin represented Sweden in several European Tennis Competitions. Though her health dashed her dreams of playing professional tennis, she continues to play regularly, ensuring she keeps a happy and healthy post-transplant. Dr. Hehenberger has been in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, working to advance the healthcare system and help support those with chronic illnesses. She is the scientific advisor to the CEO of Helsinn and sits on the boards of the Lighthouse Foundation and the Rolf Luft Diabetes Research Foundation.
Dr. Hehenberger founded Lyfebulb to reduce the burden of chronic disease through the power of the patient. Lyfebulb focuses on three areas, connectivity, education, and innovation, to help patients through the process of chronic disease. Karin and her team recently launched TransplantLyfe, which holds educational seminars and provides a support network for those within the transplant community. Dr. Hehenberger has been a keynote speaker at numerous national and international conferences and events, including being a featured speaker at the annual Nobel Symposium at the Karolinska Institute.
