Committees play a vital role in establishing and improving the policies governing the operation of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), including the procurement and allocation of organs, as well as the rights and obligations of all members.

What do committees do?

The main job of each committee is to review proposed policies and provide assessments to the Board of Directors. In making assessments, committees can take into account historical, legal, and operational considerations, as well as all public comments received on the proposed policy. Each committee has a specific charge which describes the scope of the committee's work. Learn more

Why are committees necessary?

By tasking the committees with researching and developing policy proposals, the Board can focus its time and resources on refining policy to improve the effectiveness of the current system for organ procurement and transplantation.

Who is on the committees?

There are currently 22 committees made up of approximately 350 members, including transplantation and organ procurement professionals, representatives of patient advocacy organizations, patients, donors, patient and donor family members, and the general public. Learn more

How are committee members chosen?

The President, with approval of the Board of Directors, appoints the chairs and members of committees for two-year terms. Members of the Patient Affairs and Ethics Committees serve for three-year terms. These terms may be extended under certain conditions.

Committee chairs and vice chairs
Qualifications for committee chairs include, but are not limited to, demonstrated participation within a UNOS region and/or committee, and expertise or experience within the specific committee's area.

Recommendations for committee chairs and vice chairs come from previous committee chairs, regional councilors, and members, as well as input from other organizations.

Committee members
A person is appointed to a committee as either a regional representative or an at-large appointee:

• Nominations for regional committee members are made to the President by the regional councilors. Regional councilors receive suggestions for committee members at regional meetings during discussions with individual members and from out-going committee representatives.
• At-large appointees are selected individuals and organizations who provide the committee with additional expertise.