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Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network

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The OPTN

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is a unique public-private partnership that links all professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system. Also crucial to the system are individuals who sign organ donor cards, people who comment on policy proposals and countless volunteers who support donation and transplantation, among many others.

A driving force of the OPTN is to improve the U.S. system so that more life-saving organs are available for transplant. Patient safety is at the forefront of activities at transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and labs.

The OPTN acts through its Board of Directors and committees, who bring a wealth of commitment and technical knowledge to guide us. Committees address issues of concern in the transplant community. The board establishes and maintains transplant policies (operational rules) and bylaws (membership requirements) that govern the OPTN.

Volunteer with the OPTN

Share your time and expertise to help the donation and transplant community save and enhance lives. Join the more than 300 volunteers who help shape OPTN policies and continuously improve the nation’s transplant system.

Apply to become a volunteer

OPTN Contractor

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) was awarded the initial OPTN contract on September 30, 1986, and continues to administer the OPTN today.

Explore this section

Learn more about the OPTN:

WHAT IS THE OPTN?

OPTN MEMBERSHIP

GOVERNANCE

As of December 3, 2021, OPTN membership included the following:
(Click on the member type to search for individual members.)

OPTN Membership
Type of OPTN Member Number
Transplant Centers 253
Organ Procurement Organizations  57
    Independent 50
    Hospital Based 7
Histocompatibility Laboratories  141
    Independent 49
    Hospital Based 92
Public Organizations 7
Individual Members 7
Medical Scientific Organizations 10
Business Members 11
Total 387

note NOTE: There are 7  OPTN members that operate both transplant centers and in-house OPOs and 92 that operate both transplant centers and in-house histocompatibility laboratories. These members are included in the count of transplant centers, operating OPOs, and/or laboratories. For this reason, the total number of members is less than the sum of the different categories.