–News Direct–
On Friday, March 8, 2024, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) announced the seven members of its new board of directors, who begin their terms on March 30, 2024. For the first time in nearly 40 years, UNOS board of directors will be independent from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Networks (OPTN) board of directors. The new UNOS board takes effect the day after UNOS current OPTN contract with the federal government ends.
The creation of a new, independent UNOS board eliminates any conflict of interest in the governance of the OPTN. Currently, the same 42 people oversee both UNOS and the OPTN. The board separation represents a significant change in governance structure, and it has received wide-ranging support from HRSA, from members, and even from critics of the current OPTN system – as it benefits the entire transplant community. Board separation also is in line with HRSAs own Modernization Initiative.
While HRSA is working to finalize plans for the OPTN board when the current contract expires, UNOS has followed through on its commitment to remove the conflict of interest that has been in place for decades by announcing its new board of directors. Now, after working on board separation plans with HRSA for years, UNOS remains confident that HRSA will act by March 30 to finalize this critical change that is best for the entire transplant community.
Having independent and distinct boards will appropriately allow each organization to benefit from board members who have a singular focus on the mission of the organization they support without conflicts of interest that may cause unnecessary challenges, said Maureen McBride, Ph.D., CEO of UNOS. I look forward to working with our new UNOS board, as well as the OPTN board, to not only continue our lifesaving work within the U.S. donation and transplant system, but to also expand our reach as a company to help improve the health and lives of more people around the globe.
UNOS new board members were selected for their diverse range of expertise and experience in business strategy, health care, information technology and information security, and the organ donation and transplant system. The members are:
Sue Dunn, former CEO of Donor Alliance
Bapu Jena, M.D., Ph.D., professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, internist at Massachusetts General Hospital
Maryl Johnson, M.D., professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine
Irene Kim, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Transplant Center at Cedars-Sinai
Jake Kouns, founder of RVAsec
James Pittman, assistant vice president of transplant and dialysis services for HCA Healthcare
Marie Quintero-Johnson, retired vice president of corporate development for Coca-Cola and kidney recipient
Establishing a UNOS board that is distinct from the OPTN board is aligned with HRSAs Modernization Initiative, calls from Congress to separate the boards, and UNOS Action Agenda.
UNOS worked with HRSA as UNOS took action to establish its new governance structure separate from the OPTN:
Although the federal governments timeline for implementing its OPTN Modernization Initiative has shifted, UNOS, under new leadership, has remained committed to being a good partner to the administration, Congress and stakeholders to change the current governance structure that requires UNOS board members to serve as OPTN board members. Effective March 30, 2024, OPTN board members will not have a fiduciary duty to UNOS as a non-profit organization.
About UNOS
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the mission-driven non-profit serving as the nations transplant system under contract with the federal government. We lead the network of transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and thousands of volunteers who are dedicated to honoring the gifts of life entrusted to us and to making lifesaving transplants possible for patients in need. Working together, we leverage data and advances in science and technology to continuously strengthen the system, increase the number of organs recovered and the number of transplants performed, and ensure patients across the nation have equitable access to transplant.
United Network for Organ Sharing
Anne Paschke
+1 804-782-4730
View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/unos-welcomes-new-seven-member-board-of-directors-615980708
United Network for Organ Sharing
COMTEX_449141065/2655/2024-03-12T14:45:39
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