The families of patients receiving transplants at Ohio State’s Medical Center have a place they can call home while in town for loved ones’ surgeries.

The Unverferth House, located at 190 King Ave., has been in operation for more than 12 years, said Ann Carmichael, director of the house. Donald V. Unverferth’s wife, past patients and friends, opened the house in memory of him.

Carmichael said the purpose of the house is to provide a cost-free physical dwelling as well as a support group to the families during the transplant process.

“We try to provide services to anyone who is in need, but families with someone receiving a heart transplant have first priority,” Carmichael said. “The families must live outside of Franklin County to be eligible.”

The Unverferth House consists of eight apartments, an office and a community room, Carmichael said. Families have access to a free washer and dryer as well as a kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom facilities in each apartment.

Carmichael said social workers refer the families to the house and the families must be screened to avoid people who would abuse the house rules.

“The rules for the apartments include no smoking, alcohol or pets,” Carmichael said. “We are thankful for the social workers who do a great job getting to know these families’ situations.”

Mellody Lottridge is the mother of 18-year-old Myra Lottridge, a heart transplant recipient and has been at the Unverferth House since July 11.

“The day before (she) was released from Children’s Hospital to OSU, the social workers said that I had a place to stay close to OSU,” Mellody Lottridge said. “This place has been great. Everything we need is here, and there was even food in the refrigerator the first day we arrived.”

Myra Lottridge had suffered from viral cardiomyopathy for the past three years, said Mellody Lottridge.

“The past six months were awful. I was in bed for three months and at the hospital the other three,” Myra Lottridge said. “Now I feel like a normal person. I’ve been able to do things on my own while at the Unverferth House.”

Mellody Lottridge said she and her daughter will be leaving the Unverferth House in about a week after several more visits to the hospital.

Operating a house that consists of several apartments which constantly need appliances, furniture, etc. can become quite costly, requiring a great deal of financial stability.

Carmichael said she is grateful for all the donors who have helped.

“The house is completely funded by private donations and grants,” Carmichael said. “We don’t receive any help from OSU.”

“If the families feel they want to give anything, they can, but it is not required of them,” said Celeste, a volunteer at the house.

Carmichael said (they) have big contributors who also help with the operating budget.

“The United Way gives donations. Our ‘friends mailing list’ consists of about 3,000 past contributors who receive donation cards each fall, and we are having a golf outing in August, to help raise money,” Carmichael said.

Even though the mortgage is paid off and the operating budget is a nice size, Carmichael and the board of trustee’s members would like to get a larger apartment building soon.

“We would be able to serve many more families,” Carmichael said. “There is always a wait list of about seven families, and these people’s only other choice is to pay hotel costs or sleep in the lobby at the hospital.”