News

OPTN President John Magee, MD, announces an emergency policy update requiring revised HIV and West Nile Virus testing timelines for organ donors effective Aug. 17, 2026.

OPTN in collaboration with HRSA is issuing this message to remind Transplant Programs about the OPTN policy regarding the transplantation of non-U.S. residents and non-U.S. citizens.

HRSA awarded the OPTN Patient Safety and Compliance Task Order to General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), in partnership with Arbor Research. The task order provides up to one year of support and has a total award value of $8.6 million.

In April 2026, the OPTN Board of Directors convened virtually for both an ad hoc meeting on April 3 and its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on April 16.

The ballot is now available to vote for the OPTN Board Officer positions of Secretary and Vice President of Patient and Donor Affair.

Update on the work to address NRP through the OPTN policy development process and to reiterate and refine the November 2025 safety notice.

Following emergency action by the OPTN Board of Directors, the Lung Composite Allocation Score (CAS) used to prioritize potential transplant recipients in lung allocation was updated to reduce median travel distance for lungs with the goal of reducing logistical complexity in lung allocation and improving policy compliance.

The OPTN Board approved the slate of candidates who will appear on the ballot for the election of Secretary and Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs.

On April 3, 2026, the OPTN Board voted to appoint Steven Weitzen, JD, as a Board Director, filling the vacancy created by the passing of Peter Nicastro.

These town halls will provide updates on the current state of the OPTN, as well as ongoing modernization efforts to strengthen the system and improve patient outcomes.