Anatomy of a Yes

Field Notes from an Organ Donation Advocate in Appalachia

Brent Whetstone

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English

Inland Sea Press
06 November 2025

Memoirs; Public health & preventive medicine; Transplant surgery

Anatomy of a Yes: Field Notes from an Organ Donation Advocate in Appalachia

By Brent Edward Whetstone

When a family faces the unthinkable, one question can change everything. Would you like to consider organ donation?

In Anatomy of a Yes, Bishop Brent Whetstone - chaplain, advocate, and voice for rural health equity - takes readers to the quiet corners of Appalachian hospitals, where faith and medicine meet the limits of time. Through vivid narrative and field notes drawn from years of frontline work in organ and tissue donation, Whetstone captures the fragile, human moments between loss and legacy.

Set against the backdrop of Appalachia's complex beauty and its deep-rooted mistrust of healthcare systems, this book explores what it means to serve, to listen, and to help families find meaning in their most painful hour. Each chapter offers an unflinching look at the decisions families make, the cultural barriers that shape them, and the sacred intersection of death, dignity, and the gift of life.

Part memoir, part social reflection, and part public health witness, Anatomy of a Yes reveals the unseen world of donation advocacy - a world where data and compassion must coexist, and where one person's ""yes"" can echo through generations.

This is not just a book about organ donation. It is a meditation on humanity, hope, and the quiet courage of those who say yes when everything in them aches to say no.

Key Themes

Organ and tissue donation Rural and Appalachian health disparities Healthcare ethics and advocacy Faith, grief, and meaning-making Public health storytelling and narrative medicine

Comparable Titles

When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi Being Mortal - Atul Gawande Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - Anne Fadiman

Target AudienceReaders of medical memoirs, chaplaincy stories, public health professionals, rural health advocates, clergy, and anyone who believes that hope can still be found in hospital hallways and human connection.

By: Brent Whetstone
Imprint: Inland Sea Press
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 218g
ISBN: 9798218858353
Pages: 156
Publication Date: 06 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Brent Whetstone is a nationally recognized leader in organ procurement, specializing in the education, training, and management of Family Services Coordinators. With a background that blends frontline experience, chaplaincy, and operational leadership, Brent is dedicated to ensuring that donor families receive compassionate, culturally competent care during the most critical moments of their lives. Brent's expertise spans from bedside care to system-level leadership. He is passionate about equipping Family Services teams with the tools they need to navigate complex conversations, foster informed authorization, and honor the legacy of every donor. His background in trauma-focused healthcare chaplaincy and caregiver support strengthens his approach to leading interdisciplinary teams through emotionally charged environments. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Anatomy of a Yes: Field Notes from an Organ Donation Advocate in Appalachia, which offers a rare, intimate look into the sacred space where grief, culture, and generosity meet. Through narrative and reflection, the book elevates the unseen work of donation professionals and the profound courage of families who say yes.

Reviews for Anatomy of a Yes: Field Notes from an Organ Donation Advocate in Appalachia

""The people of Appalachia are truly the last marginalized population in this country- to the point where most Americans don't even think about what the community has endured socially, economically, and medically. Bringing his unique insight to this community, Whetstone draws back the veil to reveal this unique American experience in an eye-opening memoir of his ongoing work in the field of organ donation.""