The Health Resources and Services Administration and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Board of Directors announce the upcoming national election for the Board Officer positions of Secretary and Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs. OPTN members with voting privileges will vote on the slate of candidates from 9:00 a.m. ET on May 15, 2026, to 11:59 p.m. ET on May 22, 2026.
The OPTN Board Officers include the President, Vice President, Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs, Treasurer, and Secretary. During the April 3, 2026, Ad Hoc Board meeting, the OPTN Board of Directors approved a one-year term extension for President and Vice President to maintain leadership continuity during a period of significant organizational change. Therefore, the Vice President position will not appear on the 2026 ballot. The OPTN Bylaws stipulate that the Secretary and Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs are elected in even-numbered years, while the Treasurer is elected in odd-numbered years.
In 2026, the Secretary and the Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs will be elected by OPTN voting members and ratified by the Board of Directors. All OPTN Board Directors are eligible to serve as Board Officers, regardless of background or committee affiliation, provided they are willing and able to fulfill the responsibilities of the role. The current Secretary and the current Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs are eligible to seek another term. The OPTN Nominating Committee will review applications and recommend to the Board a slate of candidates for both Officer positions. The Board will approve the slate at the Ad Hoc Board meeting on May 1.
Board Officer candidates’ interest, biographical, and personal statements will be available on the OPTN website ahead of the election. Voting representatives for each member organization, as well as individual members with voting privileges, will be emailed instructions and their ballot on May 15, 2026.