UNOS is led by a Board of Directors, which also functions as the OPTN board. The Board of Directors is the governing body that oversees and participates in developing policies for operating the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). These policies provide equitable organ allocation to patients registered on the national waiting list, ensure quality standards for membership and establish data submission requirements.
The Board of Directors is a group of 41 elected members, consisting of:
- 11 UNOS regional councilors
- transplant surgeons
- transplant physicians
- histocompatibility experts
- transplant coordinators
- independent organ procurement organizations (OPOs)
- voluntary health organizations
- medical/scientific membership organizations
- members of the general public, including transplant candidates and recipients, living donors, donor family members, and recipient and patient family members
Twenty-two committees assist the board with its oversight responsibilities. UNOS membership is divided into 11 geographic regions and the board and committees are represented by members from every region.
Committees
Policies begin at the committee level. Committee members establish and improve the policies that govern the operation of the OPTN, including the procurement and allocation of organs, as well as the rights and obligations of all members.
Each committee has a specific charge that describes the scope of the committee's work. Learn more >
Regional Administration
Regional Administration provides a valuable link between the transplant community, which interacts with patients and donors, and the Board of Directors and committees, which are charged with developing bylaws and policies to provide the best use of organs donated for transplantation.
This regional structure was developed to:
- facilitate organ allocation
- provide individuals with the opportunity to identify concerns regarding organ procurement, allocation and transplantation that are unique to their particular geographic area
Each region is represented on the Board of Directors and on each of the standing committees. Learn more >
