Angela Kohelis never imagined her greatest struggle would lead to her life’s purpose. But in the halls of UPMC Presbyterian — where she once fought for her next breath — Angela now helps others find theirs. A double lung transplant survivor turned respiratory therapist; Angela embodies what it means to come full circle.
Angela’s transplant happened in 2017 at the age of 37, after ongoing issues with shortness of breath had led her doctors to discover a rare pair of genetic mutations. Her condition led to a pulmonary surfactant deficiency and progressive lung disease, and eventually medication wasn’t enough: She was listed for a double lung transplant in February and received her life-saving operation in May.
Under the care of Norihisa Shigemura, MD, director, Lung Transplantation, and her pulmonologist, Joseph Pilewski, MD,she had a successful transplant. She spent several weeks in the hospital and was hesitant at first to let go of the comfort her respiratory support provided.
“I remember waking up after surgery and still being intubated,” Angela says. “I was terrified. When they finally took the breathing tube out and told me I didn’t need oxygen anymore, I couldn’t believe it. Oxygen had been my security blanket for years.”
Unwilling to let go of the nasal cannula, Angela clung to the comfort it symbolized. But her care team, knowing she was ready, let her drift to sleep with it still in place. While she napped, they gently removed it and snapped a photo of her resting peacefully, oxygen levels at 100%. “It’s funny now,” she says with a smile, “but at the time, it was overwhelming. That picture reminded me I was really breathing on my own.”
The road to recovery wasn’t easy, but Angela never walked it alone. Her family stayed by her side, learning every step of her care routine. The hospital staff — surgeons, nurses, maintenance workers — treated her with unwavering dedication. But it was the respiratory therapists who left the deepest impact.
“They were there every morning at 7 a.m., making sure I did my breathing exercises, walked the halls, and stayed active,” she recalls. “They didn’t just care for me — they taught me how to live again.”
Inspired by the compassion and expertise of her care team, Angela made a bold decision: She would become a respiratory therapist herself.“It was the way they spoke to me, the time they took, and the empathy they showed,” she says. “I wanted to give that same care to others — to show them what’s possible.”
“From the moment I met Angela, I could see her determination,” Dr. Pilewski says. “Even when she progressed to severe respiratory failure, her strength never wavered. I think that the admiration and gratitude she had towards respiratory therapists contributed to her desire to contribute to health care in a role that was so critical to her, as her way to ‘pay it forward.’”
Now a respiratory therapist at UPMC Presbyterian, Angela works side-by-side with the very team that helped save her life. “It’s been incredible,” said Kohelis, 45. “To learn from the people who once cared for me and now call them colleagues — it’s a gift.”
Dana Novotny, director, Respiratory Services, sees Angela as a standout on the team. “She’s a strong communicator and a true patient advocate,” Dana says. “Her clinical skills are exceptional for someone so early in their career. But it’s her lived experience that sets her apart — she connects with patients on a level most can’t. When she says, ‘I understand,’ they know it’s true.”
Though Angela is just beginning her professional journey, her future is bright. “She’s in the right place,” Dana adds. “There are endless opportunities here, from research to clinical advancement. With her work ethic and heart, she’ll go far.”
Angela’s message to others facing life-threatening illness is simple but powerful: “Don’t give up. Take one breath at a time. Trust your care team. Every day may be hard, but you’re not alone. Just keep pushing. One day, you’ll be exactly where you’re meant to be.”
And for Angela, that place is now walking the halls of UPMC Presbyterian, giving back the very breath of life she once fought so hard to reclaim.For Angela’s surgeon, Dr. Shigemura,her journey is more than just a success story; it’s a reminder of the deeper meaning behind the work. “Angela’s story reflects the full circle of care,” he says. “She’s living proof that we’re not just restoring lungs — we’re restoring lives and futures.”
