Get Involved: Volunteer for an OPTN/UNOS Committee

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http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/news/newsDetail.asp?id=1623

Get Involved: Volunteer for an OPTN/UNOS Committee

Volunteers who serve on OPTN/UNOS committees make crucial decisions that shape the national transplant network's ability to serve transplant patients, living donors, family members of deceased donors, and professionals involved in organ donation and transplantation. On an ongoing basis, we need experienced and knowledgeable people to fill available positions on the committees.

Committee members identify and discuss issues that may call for a new or revised OPTN policy or bylaw. They review data and share their experiences and views to develop policy proposals or other recommendations to be brought to the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors for action.

While a number of committee members are donation or transplant professionals, the committees represent a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. We are especially interested in new nominees who have personal experiences with organ donation and/or transplantation. A new committee interest form http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/ContentDocuments/Public_BioForm.doc has been created for potential nominees who may be transplant candidates or recipients, living donors, donor or patient family members, or other members of the public.

You may express your interest at any time in being considered for committee service. In the first quarter of each year, potential nominees are considered for available committee openings; even if you are not selected, your information is kept on file for consideration of future availability.

The committee section http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/members/committees.asp of the OPTN website has been updated to provide more information about committee service, including a list of frequently asked questions http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/members/committeeQA.asp about the nomination process and the commitments needed for volunteers.