February, 2020
The AST was saddened to hear about the recent passing of David O. Taylor, MD. David was a leader in the field of advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology and a long-time editor of the AST/ASTS joint journal the American Journal of Transplantation. His service to the AJT also included Deputy Editor for the heart transplant portfolio, a role he started in July 2019. David previously served as chair of the Thoracic Transplantation Committee for the AST, and served as President of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.
He spent most of his career at the Cleveland...
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On behalf of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, we are pleased to announce the selection of Sandy Feng, MD, PhD, as the next Editor-in-Chief of our shared journal, The American Journal of Transplantation (AJT). Dr. Feng is a Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, where she performs liver, kidney, and pancreas transplants. Dr. Feng is also the Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Surgery and the Director of the Abdominal Transplant Surgery fellowship program. She has mentored many medical students,...
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January, 2020
In December 2019, Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) along with Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jason Smith (R-MO), Donald McEachin (D-VA), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced H.R. 5534, the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019. The American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing a majority of the nation's medical professionals in the field of organ transplantation, has been advocating for this change for over a decade and strongly supports this legislation. AST and transplant community are grateful for our...
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December, 2019
The Transplantation Society in collaboration with the American Society of Transplantation (AST), acknowledges the contribution of basic science to the field of transplantation by offering
Mentee-Mentor awards. The International Transplantation Science Mentee-Mentor Awards aim is to encourage young investigators to submit their research to TTS 2020 and help cover expenses to attend the Congress in Seoul. For more information about the awards and eligibility,...
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October, 2019
The OPTN Liver and Intestinal Organ Transplantation Committee seeks public comment beginning October 15, 2019, on a proposed change to a closed variance for allocation of the second segment of split livers. The proposed amendment would align the geographic distribution area within the variance to the geographic distribution units currently in use, as well as those to be used upon future implementation of the
acuity circles distribution policy.
This proposal will be posted to the ...
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July, 2019
Dear Transplant Professionals,
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) recently published data on shortages of tacrolimus, an anti-rejection medicine used to prevent rejection after organ transplantation.1-8 At the time this information was published, these shortages apply to some generic versions of tacrolimus, and dates for resolution of the shortages range from July 2019 to April 2020. Generic formulations have been evaluated by the FDA and are equivalent to brand-name (innovator) medicines.9 If this shortage affects your patients,...
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing a majority of the nation's healthcare professionals involved in the field of solid organ transplantation, strongly applaud today's kidney patient-focused Executive Order from President Donald Trump and his healthcare team.
Today's health policy announcements will hopefully serve to empower kidney patients, their families, and those individuals donating or awaiting a lifesaving donor organ.
AST President Emily Blumberg, MD, stated today, "The AST strongly commends the Administration, Secretary of HHS Azar, as...
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On July 1, 2019, AST President-Elect, Richard Formica, MD, was invited to a conversation with the White House health policy team on kidney disease. Dr. Formica joined leaders from other organizations to discuss perspectives on topics including changes that should be made to prevent the progression of kidney disease, ways to promote alternatives to center-based dialysis, and how to increase transplant rates.
The AST continues to advocate for the issues that impact the transplant community. For more information, view our...
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June, 2019
The American Society of Transplantation (AST) announced the recipients of its 2019 Achievement Awards at the recent American Transplant Congress (ATC) meeting in Boston, MA. The recipients were awarded for their achievements and contributions to the AST and the field of transplantation.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Jay Fishman, MD
The 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Jay Fishman, MD. Dr. Fishman is recognized internationally as a leader in transplantation and in infectious disease. He is known for his work in the integration of research in microbiology and infectious disease...
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The American Society of Transplantation (AST) announced its recently elected 2019-2020 board members, including its new President, President-elect, and Secretary, at the American Transplant Congress (ATC) in Boston, MA. The AST inducted its new president, Emily Blumberg, MD during its annual meeting on June 3, 2019.
Dr. Blumberg is a Transplant Infectious Diseases specialist and the Director of the Transplant Infectious Diseases Program and the Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been a member of the AST since 1999 and has been the Chair of the Training...
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