AATB has submitted a detailed letter to the FDA addressing the finalized guidance documents on reducing the risk of transmission of disease agents associated with sepsis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in HCT/Ps. This letter reflects the collective voice of our members, emphasizing concerns about the implementation deadline, operational challenges, and the need for additional clarity. AATB’s full response can be found on the Government Advocacy Correspondences page of the AATB website.

AATB has led the drafting of a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Transition Team for then-President-elect Donald Trump, joined by AOPO and EBAA, to urge the immediate rescission of two FDA guidance documents released on January 6, 2025.

AATB urges tissue establishments and stakeholders to contact their Congressional offices in support of AATB’s request to rescind the following guidance documents: Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of Disease Agents Associated with Sepsis by HCT/Ps (Sepsis guidance) and Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by HCT/Ps (Mtb guidance).

Live Science
While retransplantation of organs carries higher risks such as organ rejection and complications from previous surgeries, it could be a viable option in certain cases, particularly for patients facing long wait times for a new organ.

Fresenius Medical Care
The finalized IOTA rule, effective July 1, 2025, introduces a two-sided risk model for kidney transplant centers to increase transplant volume and improve organ utilization.

UCSF
Researchers from UC San Francisco and Cedars-Sinai developed synthetic "organizer" cells that guide stem cells to form specific organs, such as a beating heart with ventricle-like chambers.

Psychology Today
Post-organ transplant recipients have reported changes in personality, preferences, and memories, sometimes resembling their donors.

Nevada Department of Education
Nevada Donor Network and the Nevada Department of Education launched a statewide curriculum to educate middle and high school students on organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Join us on January 29, for “Supporting Family Conversations on Whole Body Donation: Honoring Legacies and Maximizing the Gift.” This webinar will explore the unique collaboration between a Tissue Recovery Agency and a Non-Anatomical Donation Organization, showcasing best practices for educating and supporting donor families. Learn how these partnerships honor donors' legacies by maximizing the impact of their gifts for transplant, research, and medical education. Gain valuable insights into fostering meaningful family conversations and ensuring lasting comfort through the donation process.
Target Audience: Donation Professionals, Social Workers, Hospice and Palliative Care Staff, Patient Advocates.

Join us on February 5, for a deep dive into the operational strategies behind donor transportation management. This engaging webinar will explore the pros and cons of contracting services versus maintaining in-house departments, offering key insights into overcoming challenges and ensuring seamless donor transportation processes. Designed for professionals in tissue distribution, quality, and operations, this session is your chance to enhance your expertise and optimize your organization’s transportation strategies.
Target Audience: This webinar is for professionals with expertise and/or interest in tissue distribution, quality, and operations.

Discover the key steps and timelines involved in transforming musculoskeletal and dermal donor gifts into transplantable forms during this engaging webinar on February 12. This session will delve into logistics, processing time frames, and critical considerations from donor recovery to graft preparation. Perfect for tissue bank professionals at all experience levels, this webinar offers a comprehensive overview of donor screening, recovery, processing, and distribution.
Target Audience: This webinar is designed for entry-level, mid-level or experienced tissue bank professionals with an interest in learning more about donor screening, tissue recovery, processing and distribution.

Nashville, Tennessee: This position will assist the Senior Director of Quality Systems in the maintenance and oversight of the quality assurance department.

Arizona: The Director of Quality Assurance / Quality Control (SDQ) supports the mission, goals, and strategic plan of Surgenex inclusive of the Phoenix Donor Services (PDS) service line with the evaluation and execution of the Quality Management System (QMS), donor chart quality assurance, quality control, and quality and performance improvement initiatives throughout the organization.

Jackson, New Jersey: The Team Leader NOCC RN Donor Coordinator Screen and evaluate donors with Recovery Member staff to ensure potential donors meet MTFs criteria as established by the Medical Board of Trustees.