Every 10 minutes, someone is added to the transplant waiting list. As a member of the donation and transplant community you have an impact on the lives of these people every day. But there is more you can do.
The governance structure of the OPTN relies on more than 300 active and engaged volunteers who shape OPTN policies in the continuous process of improving the nation’s transplant system. By sharing your time and expertise in one of these policy development roles you can help the donation and transplant community save and enhance lives.
We seek people who represent all backgrounds, viewpoints and roles within the transplant and donation process.
The composition of the OPTN Board and committees are governed by the OPTN Final Rule and the OPTN Bylaws.
As a condition of service, Board members must sign an OPTN attestation document and the OPTN Code of Conduct annually. All Board members must complete an OPTN Conflict of Interest Disclosure Questionnaire (PDF - 284 KB) annually as well as provide quarterly updates. Committee volunteers must sign the OPTN conflicts of interest and confidentiality agreement and the OPTN Code of Conduct annually.
Providing your direct feedback is also an opportunity to improve the system.
The OPTN is improved by forthcoming individuals who raise their concerns. Anyone may submit a complaint or concern online if they suspect:
Protections apply – everyone involved in giving, receiving, or coordinating care with OPTN members should feel comfortable when sharing concerns, flagging anything that may be unsafe, or reporting potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Visit Reporting Allegations of Misconduct to learn more.
OPTN policy development committees develop and refine official OPTN policy. These committees are made up of transplant professionals, patient and donor affairs representatives, and members of the public. Each committee has a particular policy focus. Each committee considers policy proposals, sometimes collaborating with other committees, and offers comments reflecting the constituency or discipline they represent.
Members of OPTN policy development committees contribute content expertise to the policy development process.
The OPTN Final Rule requires all committees include representation from:
The OPTN Final Rule also calls for committees to have minority and gender representation reflecting the diversity of the population of transplant patients, living donors or donor family members to the extent practicable.
As members are appointed with the expectation of contributing to the policy-making process, consistent non-participation from any member is likely to result in dismissal from the committee.
The OPTN Board of Directors is the governing body for official OPTN policy.
The Board of Directors is a group of 41 nationally elected members who represent a broad spectrum of constituencies in the transplant community. With committee support, the Board creates and refines policy to improve the effectiveness of the current system for organ procurement and transplantation.
Board members may be elected or appointed to one of the four Board committees: Executive, Finance, the Network Operations Oversight Committee (NOOC), and/or Nominating.
Members of the OPTN Board of Directors commit to serving the transplant community by adopting a global governance mindset in decision-making.
The OPTN Final Rule stipulates that the Board is comprised of: