Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO)

AOPO honors #NationalDoctorsDay by recognizing the physicians who help make organ donation and transplantation possible. We are proud to spotlight AOPO Medical Advisor Dr. Stephanie Pouch, Associate Medical Director at LifeLink of Georgia, whose leadership and dedication help advance opportunities for organ donation and give more patients a second chance at life. We are grateful for Dr. Pouch and for all physicians who support organ, eye, and tissue donation and the patients and families they serve.

Organ donation is built on trust, strong safeguards, and respect for every donor and their family.   Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) is a technique used in some donation after circulatory death (DCD) cases to ensure an organ donor’s gift is in the best possible condition for a successful transplant outcome.   Like many emerging medical innovations, it has prompted important conversations about policy and standardization as the U.S. organ donation and transplantation system continues to evolve.   Swipe to learn more about the NRP process, why it’s safe, and how it saves more lives. Donation is a profound act of kindness. Every donor deserves the highest level of dignity, respect, and care. 

Last week, AOPO organized and participated in congressional meetings alongside Econometrica, Inc. to provide updates on the Validated Metrics Initiative, including the metric development process, projected timelines, and progress to date. Meetings were held with senior policy staff from the Senate Finance, Judiciary, and HELP Committees and the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the offices of Representatives Schweikert, Griffith, Miller-Meeks, and Van Duyen.   This initiative is focused on developing independently validated metrics to better measure OPO performance, strengthen transparency, and support continued improvement across the organ donation and transplantation system. Engaging and informing policymakers is a critical part of this work as we continue strengthening the system, and we appreciate the opportunity to share updates and discuss its progress.

As donation evolves, so must the standards that guide it. In AOPO’s latest Donation Perspectives blog, our Board's Medical Advisor, Dr. Stephanie Pouch, and Medical Advisor-Elect, Dr. Charles Strom, outline new donation after circulatory death (DCD) Guidelines and normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) Safeguards designed to reinforce a national standard for ethical, transparent, and patient-centered donation. At every step, patient dignity, clinical integrity, and public trust come first so more lives can be saved. Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/ezz_BHgS

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟰𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗢𝗣𝗢 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 2026 marks a defining moment for the organ donation community. As we work toward 50,000 annual organ transplants, this year’s meeting, 𝟱𝟬𝗞 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲., brings us together to reflect on progress, share innovation, and strengthen the work still ahead. Join organ donation professionals from across the nation June 21–23 in Orlando, FL, for the conversations, collaboration, and leadership shaping the future of donation and transplantation. This is more than a meeting. It is about saving more lives. 🔗 Visit aopo.org/annual-meeting for details on registration, the meeting program, networking opportunities, and more! ⏰ Early Bird pricing ends April 10th 

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) now accounts for nearly half of all deceased organ donors in the U.S. — a major shift expanding access to lifesaving transplants.   As highlighted in The Associated Press coverage, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) is working alongside federal partners to strengthen safeguards, improve hospital education, and promote clear, consistent practices nationwide.   As noted in the report, AOPO President Jeffrey Trageser MSN RN CPTC emphasized practices that help avoid public confusion about when death occurs and when organ donation begins. Maintaining public trust while increasing access to donation remains our top priority. Read More: https://lnkd.in/eUchT3mT

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 “𝗬𝗲𝘀.” 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. Organ donation depends on trust: Trust that a person’s decision will be respected and handled with care. In the United States, that trust is upheld by clear legal and medical standards guiding how authorization for donation is verified and how families are supported throughout the process. The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act helps protect donor decisions, while Organ Procurement Organizations work alongside hospital teams to ensure every step is carried out ethically, transparently, and with compassion. When someone has not registered, families are given the opportunity to make a decision grounded in their loved one’s values. Donation is never just about process. It is about honoring people, supporting families, and carrying forward a lifesaving legacy. Swipe to learn how donor registration works and why making your decision known matters. Sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor today at RegisterMe.org/AOPO50K

Medicolegal death investigation professionals, including coroners, forensic pathologists, and medical examiners, play a critical role in public health and the justice system. Many organ, tissue, and eye donors fall under the jurisdiction of these dedicated professionals, making collaboration and education essential for preserving evidence and maximizing donation opportunities.   AOPO is proud to sponsor the AlloEd Donation & Death Investigation Workshop, which offers training to promote evidence preservation and to strengthen partnerships with death investigation personnel. For more information and to sign up for the workshop, visit: https://lnkd.in/eAzVfpjf

We are proud to share 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: 𝗔𝗢𝗣𝗢’𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄, highlighting the collective progress, leadership, and innovation shaping the nation’s organ donation and transplantation system.   This year’s report reflects the strength of the organ donation community and the measurable impact of its work. With more than 46,000 organs transplanted from deceased donors last year, the nation is moving closer to the shared goal of 50,000 annual organs transplanted.   The report showcases how AOPO and its members are advancing validated performance metrics, strengthening national data partnerships, promoting standardization, and elevating advocacy and education efforts nationwide.   This progress is made possible by organ procurement organizations (OPOs), donation partners, and the generosity of donors and their families who make transplantation possible. Together, this work moves the nation closer to saving more lives.   Read the full report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gg_5arZM

Thank you to HonorBridge and their team for going above and beyond when it mattered most. Stories like this reflect the commitment of the organ donation community. In the face of historic winter conditions, their team ensured a perfect-match kidney reached a waiting recipient. This is what it takes to honor donors and save lives. AOPO is proud to support and amplify the work of OPO professionals who make lifesaving moments like this possible.