After 30 years at the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) — from biostatistician to CEO, from graduate school to mother of three adult women — I am stepping into a new chapter. My career at UNOS has been a journey of service, growth, and unwavering commitment to patients and families. Now, as I retire, I remain dedicated to serving our community in new ways.
UNOS has shaped my life. For anyone who has devoted an entire career to a single mission, you know the sense of purpose and belonging that comes with it. This organization and this community have defined me, and while it’s been challenging at times, I wouldn’t trade any of it. As I reflect, I feel sadness at leaving, relief at the transition, and excitement for what lies ahead. Most of all, I feel clarity about what matters most.
Our nation’s organ donation and transplant system is a marvel, built on the passion and selflessness of people who save lives every day. But the work is not finished. We must transplant more organs successfully and discard fewer. Every viable organ should reach a patient in need. It’s going to take the collective fortitude of this community to continue to strengthen the system.
Today, the system is undergoing monumental change. The government has chosen a multi-contractor approach to support the OPTN, and UNOS continues to support this decision. What matters is not the number of contractors, but whether more lives are saved and whether donors and recipients experience better outcomes. The government has invested significant resources, and that is commendable. But more money and more contractors alone are not enough. HRSA must ensure that every dollar serves patients—not profit. The government must deliver for the patients in need and must be more transparent about how money is being spent on these OPTN contracts.
The transition has not been smooth. UNOS has worked to be a good partner, has submitted multiple proposals for how to transition work to HRSA or to other vendors, but HRSA has resisted engaging in conversations to create a seamless handoff. At HRSA’s direction, critical work — patient safety, compliance, policy development activities that happen through OPTN Committees — will be paused beginning December 30 or assumed by HRSA until new contracts are awarded. This is not just a bureaucratic issue; it affects real lives. The stakes for patients are enormous, and the community must hold HRSA accountable for delivering on its promises.
But back to UNOS …
I’m proud of what we have accomplished in my 30 years with the organization. Our expert team has created data-driven tools that help save and transform lives, and has conducted countless research studies to advance the field of donation and transplant. I am especially proud of the work at UNOS to ensure every gift of life arrives at its destination – we launched a GPS tool that tracks organ shipments in real time and successfully advocated to Congress to require FAA recommendations to improve transportation for organs on commercial flights. In the past year, I have worked with Congress to support projects designed to ultimately increase transplants and decrease organ non-use. These are just a few of the achievements UNOS has led to strengthen the system.
UNOS has made it clear that increased investment in donation and transplantation is good for the transplant system, and that UNOS doesn’t want to continue performing all of the OPTN work going forward. Especially now, under this new multi-vendor arrangement, the public should expect that the federal government will do its due diligence and hire contractors who can swiftly understand, execute, and coordinate the component pieces of our country’s complicated organ donation and transplant system. But more than anyone else, it’s the donation and transplant community that must hold HRSA accountable for keeping its promises and making sure that its reform efforts lead to results that are meaningful and measurable for patients, donors and families. Reform for reform’s sake at the expense of patients in need of transplant is unacceptable.
Now, as UNOS takes on a much smaller role in supporting the OPTN, HRSA’s responsibility is greater. The stakes could not be higher for patients. I’ll be watching closely and rooting for your success. Lives depend on it.
