Research

NATCO participates in National AI Consensus Conference to Shape the Future of AI in Organ Donation and Transplantation

As artificial intelligence rapidly gains traction across organ donation and transplantation, The Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance (The Alliance) is launching a national effort to ensure its adoption is guided by evidence, broad stakeholder consensus, and practical implementation strategies rather than fragmented local approaches. On March 15, 2027, immediately preceding the National Transplantation and Donation Management Summit in New Orleans, The Alliance will host a National AI Consensus Conference. This half-day, invitation-only academic meeting will bring together leading experts from across the transplant community to finalize a national implementation roadmap for AI in organ donation and transplantation. The conference will be conducted in partnership with NYU Langone Health, ASTS, AST, AOPO, and NATCO.

The conference is the capstone of a national Delphi consensus study, Developing a National Consensus Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence in Organ Donation and Transplantation — an IRB-approved research initiative led academically by NYU Langone Health.

At the March 15 conference, invited participants will review findings from the Delphi process, refine draft consensus statements through domain-specific breakout discussions, and use live anonymous polling to ratify final recommendations, producing a unified framework to guide AI implementation across transplant centers and OPOs nationwide.

How Attendees Are Chosen

Participation follows a structured, multi-stage academic selection process rather than open registration. It begins with a broad, community survey, now open to transplant surgeons, nephrologists, hepatologists, pathologists and diagnostic experts, transplant coordinators, OPO leaders and staff, finance and administrative professionals in transplant medicine, clinical informatics and IT professionals, and other transplant experts who are at least 18 years old and English-speaking. The community survey is designed to capture stakeholder perspectives on AI and to identify individuals who may be interested in future study activities. Respondents may choose to provide contact information for possible follow-up.

Please complete the survey HERE.

If you, or someone you recommend, meet the qualifications and would like to participate in the conference, please contact donnad@natco1.org.

For complete details about the project, please visit: The Alliance News Center

Research - Where do I begin?

As part of our mission to promote the professional development of our members, NATCO encourages all members to submit abstracts, poster presentations, and articles for publication in Progress in Transplantation.

An essential component of the success of transplantation has been the infusion of sound research principles into the many aspects of organ procurement and clinical transplantation. NATCO supports and encourages ongoing research by its members through peer-to-peer interaction, and providing a forum to share knowledge through case studies and abstracts.

In order to help develop the skills needed to successfully publish or present on a national platform, NATCO offers several opportunities to learn. We have a webinar scheduled for 2020 discussing how to prepare to write for publication. Please sign up for this valuable opportunity.

Guidelines to Assist in Research Projects

The Research Committee has developed many written processes and guidelines to help NATCO researchers with their research projects. These white papers are written by NATCO members, cover a wide range of research topics, and are available here: