Pivotal Governance Reform Sets New Course for U.S. Organ Transplant System
Today, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the new 34-member Board of Directors for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). This launch of the OPTN Board of Directors advances HRSA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen OPTN governance, mitigate conflicts of interest, and modernize the organ donation, procurement, and transplantation system within the United States.
“Establishing a new, independent Board of Directors was a critical step in our efforts to modernize the OPTN, and today we achieved this incredible milestone,” said HRSA Administrator Tom Engels. “The new Board reflects HRSA’s continued commitment to putting patients and families at the center of the nation’s organ donation and transplant system. We look forward to working closely with them, and I’m confident that their expertise and dedication will be instrumental in advancing a system that is safe, equitable, and effective for all people who depend on it.”
In accordance with the National Organ Transplantation Act of 1984 (NOTA) and the OPTN Final Rule, the new Board reflects the wide range of experience within the transplant community. Its members include transplant physicians and surgeons; a transplant candidate, transplant recipients; living donors, along with their family members; and non-physician transplant professionals with expertise in governance, finance and ethics. The broad representation of experts ensures national transplant policy decisions are grounded by clinical knowledge, lived experience and public interest. The newly elected Board of Directors is set to officially begin their terms on July 1, 2025.
For 40 years, the OPTN Board of Directors functioned as the corporate Board of Directors for the federal government’s contractor, raising longstanding concerns about potential conflicts of interest. As a part of the OPTN Modernization Initiative, HRSA formally separated the OPTN Board of Directors from the contractor and conducted a national election to seat an independent Board.
Preparations for the national election began earlier this year, when HRSA formed the Transitional Nominating Committee (TNC) tasked by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to identify and recommend candidates for approval by the HHS Secretary. The TNC reviewed more than 300 applications and conducted more than 130 interviews.
Voter turnout reflected strong engagement from the OPTN community, with an 83% participation in the national election—a notable increase from the 68% average turnout in national elections during the Biden Administration.
All Board members were vetted for independence and adherence to conflict-of-interest policies, with each candidate required to submit disclosure forms as part of their application.
For a full list of winners, visit the OPTN Modernization web page.
About the OPTN
The OPTN is a national system that manages the U.S. organ transplant process. Established by NOTA, the OPTN develops policies, maintains the national transplant waiting list, and matches donors with recipients to ensure fair and effective organ allocation.
HRSA serves as the federal agency responsible for the oversight of the OPTN, including preventing and deterring fraud, waste and abuse; addressing mistakes or errors that impact donor patients, waitlist patients, and recipient patients; monitoring patient safety and public health; and ensuring that OPTN activities achieve the intended results.