Histocompatibility Committee

The Histocompatibility Committee applies evolving science and technology in transplant immunology to develop, implement, and inform OPTN bylaws, policies, and clinical guidance for organ donation and transplantation. The Committee provides subject matter expertise to the OPTN for issues related to testing, matching, allocation, personnel qualifications, and other issues in transplant histocompatibility and immunology. The Committee’s goals are to promote patient safety, to strive to continuously improve clinical outcomes, and maximize the use of donated organs.

Current projects

Review

Board approved and pending implementation

Implemented

Committee members

MembersPositionEnd DateOrganization
Bobbie Rhodes-ClarkRegion 6 Representative6/30/2026Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
Cathi MurpheyVisiting Board Member6/30/2028Southwest Immunodiagnostics
Crystal UsenkoRegion 4 Representative6/30/2027Histocompatibility Laboratory at Scott and White Memorial Hospital
Darryl NethercotAt Large6/30/2027Lifesharing - A Donate Life Organization
David PinelliRegion 7 Representative6/30/2026Transplant Immunology Laboratory at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Gerald MorrisChair6/30/2027Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory at UCSD
Helene McMurrayRegion 9 Representative6/30/2027Tissue Typing Laboratory at Strong Memorial Hospital
Jerome SaltarrelliAt Large6/30/2028Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
John LunzEx Officio6/30/2026LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory
Kelley HitchmanVice Chair6/30/2027Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Lab/University Health System
Kenneth ChavinVisiting Board Member6/30/2027Temple University Hospital
Lakshmi SamiduraiRegion 10 Representative6/30/2028Clinical Histocompatibility Lab at Ohio State University Medical Center
Laurine BowRegion 1 Representative6/30/2026Histocompatibility and Immune Evaluation Laboratory at Yale
Michael GautreauxRegion 11 Representative6/30/2028HLA/Immunogenetics Lab
Qingyong XuRegion 2 Representative6/30/2026University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Histocompatibility Laboratory, Presbyterian Clinical Laboratories
Ryan PeñaAt Large6/30/2028Tufts Medical Center Laboratory
Stephanie OsierAt Large6/30/2027UF Health Shands Hospital
Tania SantamariaAt Large6/30/2026General Public Region 1
Tiffany BrattonRegion 8 Representative6/30/2028Histocompatibility Laboratory at Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Tim WellerritterRegion 5 Representative6/30/2028Mayo Clinic in Arizona Histocompatibility Laboratory
Date Last Reviewed: