2004 - 2005 National AOPO Awardees Announced

2004 - 2005 Crystal Heart Awardees

2004 - 2005 AOPO/Wyeth Hospital Leadership Awardees

2005 - 2006 Executive Committee

2005 - 2006 Committee, Council and Task Force Chairs

THANK YOU to our Annual Meeting Sponsors

THANK YOU to our Annual Meeting Exhibitors

New AOPO Officers Elected

Annual Meeting Features of Note

Address of Outgoing President

By: Joseph S. Roth

Good morning, everyone!  Welcome to the AOPO’s 22^nd annual meeting!  How ya doon!   

I would like to start with a bunch of thank you’s.  First , to Tom Mone and the staff of One Legacy as host OPO for their planning of yesterday’s golf outing – sorry I had to leave early – and tonight’s awards reception.  I can’t wait! 

The Annual Meeting Program Committee co-chaired by Posey Durning and Ann Roberson has developed another strong agenda for this meeting.  Thanks! -- to you and the Program Committee members for their excellent work.  We have a record attendance of over 590 registrations and 61 exhibitors. 

Let’s thank Jennifer Gavin of UNOS and her staff for arranging this terrific venue.  They just keep hitting home runs!  What an effort they have put in for this week and then they are off to the UNOS Board Meeting next week in St. Louis. 

I would be remiss if I did not thank the members of the Executive Committee for their support this past year.  Rich Luskin stepped up to fill the Past President position and Rich made my life very easy.  Thank you, Rich!  Thanks to all of you -- Tom Beyersdorf, Gene Osborne, Bill Marks, Leslie Cortina and Dan Hayes – for your dedication and hard work.  It has been an honor to work with you all this past year. 

I want to thank our sponsors this year for their support of our meeting.  Please make sure that during the breaks you visit the exhibit hall and meet all the exhibitors. 

Before I was elected to the AOPO Presidency, the view I had of the position was that it must be very demanding on the incumbent’s time and effort.  There is certainly a lot to do, but what made this year run smoothly for me was our “crack” association office staff.  Every time I called Sheryl Taylor, Carol O’Neill or Melissa Honohan with a request it was handled accurately and efficiently.  Of course they knew it was me calling because if the first extension – usually Paul’s – didn’t pick up they saw the phones start ringing around the office until someone answered.  Don’t worry ladies, I won’t do that any more.  But seriously, you three are the “best” – Thank You! 

Notwithstanding Melissa, Carol and Sheryl, it’s Paul Schwab who is the leader of the AOPO offices and he sets a standard that is remarkable.  Paul is amazing!  He has this spooky ability to read my mind.  More times than I care to think, I was at my desk reviewing some document or reading my emails and about to call Paul with a question or request and  --  “shazzam”  --  there it was in an email or fax or phone call.  We are truly blessed to have this individual as our Association’s Executive Director.  His skills were most evident during the past four months.  Paul, you make this look easy!  Thank you for making my year! 

The Year in Review 

When Helen Leslie passed the gavel to me last year in Chicago, I thought this might be an important year and I also was concerned whether I could make a difference as President – but to my surprise nothing happened!  I was really bored!  Okay! Some things did happen: 

1. Let’s start with January 28, 2005 – on that afternoon, we all rushed to our computers to download almost 300 pages of text that were the proposed CMS Conditions of Participation for Organ Procurement Organizations – the long awaited OPO Regs.  Upon review, these regulations contained many items we expected and a few we did not expect.  Certain portions of the proposed regulations will probably contribute to increased deceased organ donation.  Thanks to the efforts of the home office, the Regulation Review Steering Committee, the Legislative Regulatory Committee, consultants like Mike Hudson, Manda Wong, Ellen Sheehy and Ed Weisgerber and the hard work of the entire OPO community we have developed a strong response to the proposed regs -- a unified consensus response!  A response that I am proud of.
   
   Our job is not finished here.  We still have opportunities to meet with federal policy makers to discuss our comments as the final rule is developed.  Through Tom Beyersdorf’s leadership we will continue to work towards a final rule that truly measures performance and appropriately incentivizes OPO’s to improve organ donation.

2. As we all know, the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative has had a tremendous impact on our practices, our approach to learning, our attitudes, and most importantly on our life-saving results.   

I am grateful for the leadership and action that my colleagues have shown in enthusiastically embracing and making the most of this incredible opportunity for an “all teach, all learn” approach to doing our life-saving work in the  best possible ways.  Lives depend on what we do, how we do it, and how quickly we learn and improve.  AOPO will continue to be part of the Leadership Coordinating Council and it is my hope that we can remodel our council and committee structure to incorporate collaborative-based goals. 

I believe that we have, as an entire national learning community, learned a great deal from each other and I want to take a few moments to heighten our collective awareness of some of these key learnings, and to ask each of you to challenge yourselves to bring rigor, discipline and energy to creating an even better future.   

What have we learned? 

We have learned to make hospitals -- from their staff all the way up to their CEOs and Associations -- full, participatory partners in this work.   

I challenge each of you to continue this approach, expand it further, and I challenge AOPO to extend this learning into the very fabric of how we conduct our business, how we design our annual meetings and who comes to the table. 

We have learned: 

That the pace of learning, testing, change and full-scale implementation needs to be fast…lightening quick.  Waiting for the “definitive word” on practices and their impact from controlled research studies and peer-reviewed national journals is not necessary to make rapid improvements that save lives. 

I challenge each of you to apply what we’ve learned together about the model for improvement, requests & offers, boldness and courage to all aspects of our work, and to be leaders in extending this learning deep into the fabric of your organizations, transplant centers, donor hospitals and our national organizations.  Do it with urgency and speed. 

We have learned: 

That our Organ Procurement Organizations must be quickly and effectively “repotted” to accommodate the extraordinary growth that many of us are experiencing. 

I challenge my fellow OPO executives and OPO management team leaders to make yourselves accountable for getting ahead of the curve on this absolutely essential work so that we create the organizations, staff and board support necessary for sustaining and expanding our incredible gains.  Send a team to the HRSA sponsored OPO redesign events that will begin in august and continue throughout 2006. 

We have learned: 

That our initial successes with the Organ Donation collaboratives have revealed new targets of opportunity for life-saving improvements.  Our work is far from over.  

I challenge you to be aggressive partners with HRSA and with each other in rapidly spreading proven practices to all 950 of the nation’s largest hospitals where 90% of eligible donors originate.  Invest in spread! 

I challenge you to field teams for the Organ Transplantation Breakthrough Collaborative.  We know this process works!  Use this next Collaborative to extend it deep into your transplant centers and donor hospitals.  Every OPO in the nation should have a team in this next Collaborative, and its members should include at least your largest transplant center, and for some, two or more of your largest centers. 

New Foundation 

Finally, I challenge all of us to join with AOPO, the Joint Commission, UNOS, NATCO, the National Association of Medical Examiners and others to invest in the new foundation that is being developed to sustain and expand the work of the first two collaboratives.   

We must ensure that we have the funding, leadership and critical mass to sustain this fantastic “all teach, all learn” approach to the nation’s organ donation and transplantation systems into the future.   

We have already secured commitments for over $1 million, from only about a dozen organizations. 

Every OPO in the nation should work to commit somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000 each to making sure our successes are sustained and increased into the future.

3. This past year we have seen a significant increase in public solicitation for directed and living donation.  This is an issue that will not go away.  We know that UNOS and ASTS/AST are trying to develop appropriate positions on this issue.  Let us take care in how we respond.  Too aggressive a stance could produce a backlash that we do not want.  For now, each case of public solicitation should be looked at on its own merits.  Let’s not be too hasty to broad brush all forms of public solicitation as bad.

4. We have made progress in drafting a revision to the UAGA.  This is still a work in progress that has about two years to go.  However, initial indications are promising.  Under Tom Beyersdorf’s watch we may see a final draft.

5. We have seen the IT subcommittee develop and our proposed budget includes a dedicated IT position in the home office.  This is very encouraging.  My hope is that this progress will help my colleagues whose organizations are not as well positioned in information technology to make real gains in the coming months.

6. We have been working with Congress to fully fund the Organ Donation Improvement Act of 2004.  Our hope is that we will see $50 million appropriated to fund the provisions of the act.

7. AOPO participated in both UNOS consensus conferences held in 2005.  We were represented at the Islet Cell Transplant Consensus Conference in January and the DCD Consensus Conference in March.  The final reports of both conferences are to be published shortly.

8. Our efforts to increase the number of accredited OPO’s continues.  I am proud to say that as of today 41 of 58 OPO’s or 71.6% are accredited.  That includes 5 OPO’s that have gone through the process for the first time.  I hope that by next year at this time Tom Beyersdorf can report that we’ve reached a 75% accreditation rate for the association.

9. The Medical Directors Council under Bill Marks has continued to grow and demonstrate how it can meet the needs of the OPO Medical Director community. I applaud Bill’s diligent work and am encouraged that under Dan Hayes this group will continue to provide excellent value to our Medical Directors.

In closing, I again say how proud and honored I have been that the OPO community has entrusted in me the leadership of this organization.  I leave you with the words of the contemporary writer Leo Rosten who wrote about the purpose of life:

“I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.” 

The organ procurement community’s mission in my mind is to be useful, responsible and compassionate and to stand for something and make a difference.   I ask you never to lose sight of this mission.  I am proud to be part of this great community and look forward to a future of increased success in saving lives. 

Thank you!

Address of Incoming President

By Thomas Beyersdorf

Good Morning. 

For many of you, AOPO may simply be the annual meeting at a nice location with a variety of educational topics, and some good networking opportunities.  But in reality it’s so much more: 

It’s the consolidated response to CMS over proposed new regulations. 

It’s a superb accreditation program – which I might add will amply prepare any OPO to meet most of the process requirements of the proposed new CMS regulations. 

It’s a warren of information exchange and mutual improvement opportunities through the various councils. 

It’s an extraordinary executive director and staff who manage a thousand different tasks every day, and communicate to all like no other organization that I’ve seen. 

It’s a technical assistance program – essentially free consulting from peers -- to address any challenge or problem that any member may be having. 

So what’s been happening with OPOs and the Association generally through out its 20 year history.   

During the period of the 90s, OPOs were gaining knowledge and developing the tools to master the art of organ donation.  In fact, I submit that 10 years ago, most OPOs knew exactly what to do, how to go about it, and were actively and vigorously promoting their knowledge.  

But OPOs are too small by themselves to be heard.  They have no leverage. 

So Paul Schwab effectively developed the notion of shared accountability: bringing hospitals, and others into the equation along with OPOs.  

And with the new millennium came the assistance of some big guns. 

No new message.  

No new realizations. 

But renewed emphasis on known best practices, such as clinical triggers, team approaches, death record reviews, and in house OPO coordinators. 

More importantly the participation of others brought much more momentum behind the effort.  These big guns you’ll recognize as HRSA, JCAHO, Medicare Conditions of Participation, etc.  They gave new emphasis, and more importantly, credibility to the message that OPOs have been promulgating for at least 10 years.   

That shared accountability concept continues, along with promoting the science of organ donation, addressing issues of equity, and preserving and strengthening the public’s trust in donation. 

Added to these will be the yield initiative -- which will engage transplant centers and surgeons, along with critical care medicine, in new ways regarding organ recovery and transplantation.  Unlike the first collaborative regarding conversion rates, the yield initiative more directly involves medical practice. 

The message here is to welcome with open arms the help of others.  Put aside your ego and pride of authorship, and recognize that many hands, and the support of large reputable organizations simply makes our job easier.  

We get the results we want, quicker and sooner, and with less of our own effort.   

Embrace this opportunity provided by others and move forward with net positive energy. 

In this regard, our new frontier requires that all OPOs participate in the collaborative methodology, both for conversion rates and for yield per donor.  If you’re not already a participant, I call upon you to join your colleagues.  It’s an important industry movement, and there is much to be gained for all of us.

I believe that aside from the successes of the Breakthrough Collaborative, which will provide us a greater volume of donors, as well as higher yield per donor,  that we need to push hard on the use of technology and the concept of simultaneous organ placement via web enable communications. 

One proprietary version of that is UNET – but there are others.  An important aspect of this process will be to reach some common understanding of the communications and computer platforms to support this effort. 

Now is the time for all OPOs and UNOS to come together on this issue before we become too far entrenched with disparate systems that are unable to talk with each other. 

This will be a longer term project than is my tenure as president, but the ground work needs to be laid now.

Of a more short term nature, the proposed CMS regulations are likely to be the most critical and important development in the next few months. 

Paul Schwab and Joe Roth have done a masterful job of crafting an AOPO response and working with CMS to ensure that the perspectives and expertise of OPOs are clearly brought to the attention of CMS.   

The next move is now up to CMS, whether that be an additional round of proposed regulations, or interim final regulations with comment, or final regulations without comment.  When that will occur is not certain, but until it happens we will continue to monitor developments.  I assure you that when the next opportunity occurs for AOPO to weigh in on this topic, we will do so vigorously. 

Six months ago, Joe Roth also proposed some restructuring of the AOPO committees, councils, etc.   However, with the publication of proposed regulations by CMS, this project got put on the back burner.  We will continue to work on this concept during the interim that we’re waiting for the next round of CMS publications on OPO regulations.  Depending on the nature of those next publications we’ll either finalize a restructuring proposal, or again postpone its work to concentrate on the regulations. 

Most immediately, I propose a simple, but I believe very effective technique to share with each other the results of our myriad of work efforts at all levels.   

This encompasses about 20-30 minutes of work from every manager at every OPO during the next 90 days. 

But when it’s completed, we should have a powerful compendium of shared information. 

Specifically, I ask each manager to do the following:

Pick one project or activity that you’ve worked on in the past 12 months.  It could be something new, something discontinued, something modified, or something simply studied with no action taken.

But put in writing – in one or two paragraphs – a description of that activity. 

Next briefly list the resources involved. 

Then add a paragraph or two regarding the outcome, and another section on the prognosis. 

Finally, list a contact name, phone number, and email address. 

All of the above should constitute no more than one or two pages; and as I said, should require only 20-30 minutes to complete.  If it takes any longer than that, you’re trying too hard.

If each manager at each OPO provides just one such example, we should be able to compile a binder of several hundred projects to share with each other. 

On the screen is a sample format.  In the next few weeks, this format will be distributed to all OPOs, asking for your input by the end of the summer. 

Your responses to the AOPO office will be categorized, copied, and redistributed to all. 

We’ll each then have a library of information available, at little effort or cost.

Two other projects that I will initiate immediately – or should I more correctly say, two new assignments or appointments that I am making immediately are the following:

Joe Roth, as Immediate Past President, will be special envoy and liaison from AOPO to HRSA for the continuation of the Breakthrough Collaborative on Donation. 

Many of us agree that the Collaborative is the single most positive, powerful thing that the government has done for organ donation since the passage of NOTA in the 80’s. 

His task will be to ensure that the net positive energy that has been generated by the Collaborative continues – meaning specifically that the Collaborative itself continues. 

His appointment will demonstrate the AOPO commitment to elevate the status of the collaborative to a more institutionalized leadership role.

Secondly, I’ve asked Dr. Bill Marks, as the Immediate Past Medical Advisor to work with the council of Medical Directors and be our champion in stimulating and spreading the further development of DCD donors across the country. 

An offshoot of the collaborative has set a target of 10% of organ donors to be from DCD candidates.  Only a handful of OPOs are currently at that level – the national average is just over 5%, and many OPOs, too many OPOs that is, still recover none or only 1 or 2 such donors a year. 

DCD donors have been shown to have a higher yield and better outcomes than ECD donors – and therefore it behooves us to push harder in this area.  In fact, other than continuing the successes and growth established by the collaborative, DCD donors represent the single biggest opportunity to increase donation in this country. 

This is particularly important as we consider that changes in the delivery of treating fatally injured patients, specifically a more rapid deceleration of care and more frequent use of termination of life sustaining therapies rather than allowing a digression to brain death, will restrict the growth opportunities from traditional brain dead donor sources.

We also need to keep in mind the importance of advancing the science of recovery, preservation, and transportation as they affect organ transplantation rates. 

Working with our council of Medical Directors on these issues will strengthen the role of OPOs in the recovery process.

I expect my tenure to be driven by Faith and Fear. 

That is, my own faith in all of you, that this great organization, and this great and noble mission that we share, will endure and succeed despite the unknown obstacles and hurdles that may emerge.

And Fear that unaffiliated, outside interests, be that government, the media, or someone else, may deliberately or inadvertently derail and undermine all the good that we do and strive so hard for.

I give you this pledge:

I will accept accountability for failure.

I will give reward for success.

Thanks for your help.  I look forward to giving you a report card 12 months from now.

2004 - 2005 National AOPO Awardees Announced

At the 22^nd Annual AOPO Meeting in Los Angeles, CA, President Joe Roth announced the recipients of the prestigious annual awards. 

(Text excerpt from Joe Roth’s remarks at the AOPO Annual Meeting.)

The AIG Healthcare/AOPO Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Kevin O’Connor, Director of Donation Services at the New England Organ Bank.  The award recognizes “an individual employed by an OPO demonstrating excellence in leadership through outstanding management achievements or innovative practices in the organ procurement field.” 

For the past 21 years, Kevin has been dedicated to advancing our community’s ability to provide organs for those waiting.  He has been a scientist, innovator, leader and a professional mentor to many.    

We know of no other clinical non-physician who has published as often and on as many areas.  Kevin possesses the ability to analyze data and information and make the results understandable and meaningful.  These published articles range from the utilization of specific kinds of donors to how OPOs can best define donation service areas.  Kevin has been published in JAMA, American Journal of Transplantation, New England Journal of Medicine and others. 

As a champion for the cause of DCD, Kevin has served as a leader once again as a member of the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative faculty.  He was part of the team that came up with the “Cho” clamp which has made transplantation and preservation of kidneys more efficient and safe.   

His leadership has been never failing as he rarely ever turns down a request for his input and ideas.  He has headed committees, councils and work groups at AOPO as well as UNOS.  His commitment to the field of donation and transplantation has been unfailing. 

Our community knows Kevin as a mentor.  His kind direction and wonderful spirit have served the greater community through teaching others how to succeed.  His influence is felt in each OPO in some way.  We are pleased to recognize him for his efforts and long time leadership.  We are all grateful that Kevin chooses to practice in our community and use his exceptional gifts for the greater good. (Text excerpt from Joe Roth’s remarks at the AOPO Annual Meeting.)

The CryoLife/AOPO Achievement Award was presented to Rich Pietroski, Associate Executive Director, Gift of Life Michigan.  This award recognizes “an individual demonstrating significant professional and/or personal contributions to AOPO.” 

For more than 20 years, Rich has been a model of excellence for our community through service to AOPO and the OPO community. Service to the community began as an organ donation coordinator.  He has progressed through nearly every operational position in an OPO – from Clinical to Education.   

Rich has leveraged these vast experiences and his credentials to the maximum advantage of AOPO.  He has served for ten years as an Accreditation Program Site Surveyor and member of the Standards & Accreditation Committee.  He has also been a member of the AOPO Data and Information Committee and served as co-chair for the Procurement Directors’ Council.   

In 2004 Rich took three weeks of vacation time to work with the SRTR.  He has been instrumental in providing the OPO perspective to the SRTR.  He is now regarded by AOPO as an expert resource on all of the data reports and data elements monitored and published by the SRTR.   

Most recently, he assisted the Foundation for the Science of Human Donation at the Medical College of Ohio in implementing a Master’s Certificate Program for training prospective OPO organ donor coordinators.  He serves as an adjunct assistant professor on the faculty of the Medical College of Ohio.   

Through his personal example of energy, enthusiasm, dedication and perseverance, Rich has proven to be a true role model for his peers and colleagues.  We are pleased that he has chosen to share his experience and specific skills with AOPO to advance the association’s efforts. (Text excerpt from Joe Roth’s remarks at the AOPO Annual Meeting.)

The AOPO President’s Award was given to two individuals this year, Susan Gunderson, CEO, LifeSource and Teresa Shafer, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of LifeGift Organ and Tissue Donation Center.  This award recognizes individuals identified by the AOPO President for significant or sustained contributions to the mission of AOPO. 

Susan was honored for her leadership to her staff, colleagues, civic leaders, and the public in her own community, nationally, and internationally.  During her tenure, organ donation has grown substantially in her donation service area and the OPO has been recognized as a national leader in organ donation.  

Teresa was recognized for being instrumental in developing, planning and implementing the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative strategy.  She has played a definitive role in the development of the Collaborative from its earliest planning stages to the summit last month in Pittsburgh.   

The Executive Director’s Award was presented to Chuck Mowll, Executive Vice President of JCAHO.  Chuck’s leadership and dedication to organ donation has been a major factor in the successes of the Collaborative.  JCAHO’s participation on the Leadership Coordinating Council of the Collaborative has made an impressive impact on the community as a whole.

2004 - 2005 Crystal Heart Awardees

The Crystal Heart Award recognizes print and broadcast media who embody the life-giving gift of organ and tissue donation, and accurately and compassionately portrayed the stories of organ and tissue donation.  The Coalition joined with AOPO in presenting this award, which for the sixth year was sponsored by the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. 

The broadcast media award was presented to the Discovery Health Channel for their series Gift of Life.  The series went behind the scenes of organ donation to bring viewers the real-life, emotional stories of people making the complex journey to donate and receive healthy human organs.   

The print media award was presented to Reader’s Digest for their June, 2004 article titled, In Sickness In Health, by Shari Lacy, as told by Alanna Nash.  The article shares the story of Joyce and Jim Dineen, as told by their daughter.  Joyce gave the gift of a kidney to her husband in November of 2003 and her daughter shares how the gift has changed her parents and her family.

2004 - 2005 AOPO/Wyeth Hospital Leadership Awardees

The AOPO Hospital Development Council presented three key leaders in the hospital community with the AOPO-Wyeth Hospital Leadership Awards. The three recipients achieved exceptional contributions toward the goal of increasing organ donation. These awards say thank you to the people who have been instrumental in making organ donation a priority in their hospital.

The AOPO-Wyeth Hospital Leadership Award - Clinical Leader. The recipient was Dr. Judith Pepe who has been a constant and powerful supporter of donation at Hartford Hospital. Her dedication to donation, even before her involvement in the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative, has been a positive influence at her hospital. When LifeChoice Donor Services approached Hartford Hospital to participate in the first Collaborative, it was obvious to them that Dr. Pepe would be their "physician champion" and help the team toward their goal of increasing the conversion rate.

Dr. Pepe was instrumental in creating the hospital's Donation Advisory Council to ensure that best practices will continue to be sustained. Her presentations, both within the hospital and DSA, have resulted in an enthusiastic base of hospital administrators, medical staff, nursing staff, OPO staff and OPO Board members.

Although she has helped implement many important changes at the hospital, the most impressive reason for Dr. Pepe to receive this award is that her work has resulted in a dramatic increase in organ donors at Hartford Hospital:

        In 2003 there were 4 organ donors at Hartford Hospital
        In 2004 there were 24!

Dr. Pepe exemplifies leadership, not only in organ donation, but also in the care of and compassion for patients and their families.

The AOPO-Wyeth Hospital Leadership Award - Outstanding Hospital. Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has managed to create a culture that supports donation - with the powerful push of senior leadership. The high level leadership involvement has been provided by their Chief Clinical Officer, Pamela Shute and Becky Nelson, President.

After the first Learning Session in 2004, Pamela personally met with key staff at the hospital and the home team to say that the Collaborative was a priority for their organization. Since then, the hospital staff has taken their charge seriously and has helped implement many changes. The hospital has a new DCD policy, has achieved a streak of nine consecutive donors before a non-donor, and has a 100% referral rate and a 100% appropriate requestor rate.

The team huddle is the norm and the newly developed clinical trigger has increased understanding and increased the number of timely referrals. The hospital developed a year long strategy to incorporate donation routinely into hospital-wide promotional events. Sioux Valley is an active Workplace Partnership for Life program participant and recently held a luncheon for more than 30 area clergy on the clergy's role in helping families with end-of-life decisions, including donation.

During the May conference in Pittsburgh, Sioux Valley Hospital was awarded the HRSA Organ Donation Medal of Honor. The hospital is at an 86% conversion rate, up from 38% in 2003 and 73% in 2004.

The AOPO-Wyeth Hospital Leadership Award - Hospital CEO. Memorial Hermann Hospital's CEO, Juanita Romans, has a commitment to donation that has brought a new level of engagement with LifeGift. "Her strong leadership truly has helped save the lives of additional transplant patients."

Memorial Hermann Hospital has been attentive to collaborating with OPO team members on high-leverage changes, which will and have translated into more organ donors. Some of the changes have a simple objective: streamlining day-to-day processes to remove potential barriers and improve the donation process. For example, Juanita paved the way for the OPO to work with its information technology department for phone and computer access inside the hospital.

"Juanita has helped cultivate a real respect within the hospital for the organ donation process. Hospital employees view us (OPO staff) as colleagues and that familiarity enhances a working relationship."

Memorial Hermann Hospital was awarded the Medal of Honor at the learning session in Pittsburgh for their sustained conversion rate of 76%. The hospital has re-dedicated itself to maximizing every potential donation - the dedication begins at the top - Juanita Romans has been exceptional in her leadership.

Juanita and her staff are strategizing with LifeGift on future efforts to make every potential donor an actual donor to save additional lives. The hospital has a donation after cardiac death protocol and has performed three such donors (as of May 2005). Still other efforts are in the works due to the unwaivering support that Juanita and her team have given LifeGift Organ Donation Center.

 

2005 - 2006 Executive Committee

Executive Committee Leadership

2005 - 2006 Committee, Council and Task Force Chairs

AOPO Committee, Council and Task Force Chairs

THANK YOU to our AOPO and AOPO Annual Meeting Sponsors

AOPO would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful support from our AOPO and AOPO 22nd  Annual Meeting Sponsors.

AIG Healthcare**

AlloSource***

American Tissue Services Foundation **

Barr Laboratories, Incorporated ***

Community Tissue Services***

CryoLife, Incorporated***

Health Promotions NOW  **

International Institute for the Advance of Medicine**

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International**

LDT Systems, Inc.*

LifeCell Corporation***

Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation***

National Disease Research Interchange*

Nathan Sallop Insurance Agency**

OneLegacy**

Regeneration Technologies, Inc.**

St. Jude Medical ***

Statline, LLC **

Transplant Connect**

Vesta Therapeutics, Inc.**

Wyeth**

* AOPO Sponsor

** AOPO Annual Meeting Sponsor

*** AOPO Sponsor and AOPO Annual Meeting Sponsor

THANK YOU to our Exhibitors

AOPO would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful support from our 22nd  Annual Meeting Exhibitors.

AIG Healthcare

Air Courier Dispatch

AirNet Express

AlloSource

American Medical Bill Review

American Society of Multicultural Health and Transplant Professionals (ASMHTP)

American Tissue Services Foundation

Asterand

Autism Tissue Program

Barr Laboratories, Incorporated

Bone Bank Allografts

Charles R. Drew Medical Society

Clinical Consulting Associates Incorporated

Coalition on Donation

Community Tissue Services

CryoLife, Incorporated

Daedalus Software, Inc.

Donation Promotions.com

Donor Referral Line (Acadian Ambulance Services)

Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA)

Gift of Life Donor Program

Health Promotions NOW

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Insight Communication

International Institute for the Advancement of Medicine (IIAM)

Johnston McLamb

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Laboratories At Bonfils

LDT Systems, Incorporated

LifeGuard America

LifeLink Tissue Bank

LifeNet

Listen First 

Motor Vehicle Network

Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation

National Disease Research Interchange

National Kidney Foundation

New Source Ambulatory, LLC

North American Transplant Coordinators Organization

Odyssey Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated

Organ Recovery Systems

Regeneration Technologies, Incorporated

Reglera

rL Solutions

Roche Laboratories, Incorporated

Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR)

Send Word Now

Southern CA Islet Cell Resources (SC-ICR) Center at City of Hope National Medical Center

Statline, LLC

Sterling Courier, A Division of Quick International Courier

Transplant Connect, Incorporated

United Network for Organ Sharing

Vesta Therapeutics, Incorporated

ViroMed - Lab Corp Laboratories

Waters Medical Systems