Dr. Parekh’s research and clinical interests include 3D printing of bones, total ankle replacements, foot and ankle injuries of athletes, minimally invasive foot and ankle trauma surgery, tendon injuries of the foot and ankle, and the adoption and development of novel technologies in foot and ankle surgery. He has been an active speaker at regional, national, and international meetings, helping to teach other orthopaedic surgeons about best practices and novel techniques for the care of foot and ankle patients.

In January of 2010, Dr. Parekh and his wife organized and established the only orthopaedic foot and ankle conference dedicated to foot and ankle surgery in India. The meeting was held in Mumbai. An international faculty, including four US surgeons, accompanied Dr. Parekh. These US surgeons were able to operate on needy patients in India while teaching over 100 Indian orthopaedic surgeons different techniques in foot and ankle surgery. This has become an annual tradition for the Parekhs in India.

Dr. Parekh’s personal website is www.seleneparekhmd.com. At this website, you will find patient friendly animations and educational materials. Dr. Parekh blogs on orthopaedic injuries of high profile athletes. You can read this on his website and follow his blog on @seleneparekhmd.

Dr. Parekh has worked closely with industry partners to develop and improve many innovative products, instruments, and devices currently used in orthopaedics.

Dr. Parekh has been recognized as one of North Carolina’s Best Doctors annually since 2009. 

Mark is the Director of the Tissue Operations Center at New England Donor Services and is responsible for the 24-hour operations center. Mark has been with New England Donor Services for over fifteen years, he has served in the Quality Department as well as in the Operations Center determining donor eligibility and working with families to obtain authorization. Mark is the co-chair of the Membership Committee, he is currently the Secretary of the RADE Council as well a member of The AOPO Tissue Council. Mark  is a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist.

Michael E. Gilbert, MBA, CTBS is a Technical Trainer, Donor Services with CryoLife. He is a 2010 graduate of Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor Degree in Sport Management, and a 2012 graduate of Shorter University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Michael obtained his CTBS designation in 2006, and is also certified as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

Michael began working at CryoLife in 2004, after transitioning from a career in the Fire/EMS industry. He started as a Donor Services Coordinator in the Donation Support center where he would screen donors with the Recovery Partners. After about a decade in the role (with increasing responsibilities) he was promoted to his current position as a Technical Trainer. As a Trainer, Michael has held workshops with Recovery Partners across the country, focusing on cardiovascular tissue recovery techniques. 

Patrick AbdelMessih is Vice President of Recovery Operations for Birth Tissue Donor Services of Tennessee, a mission-driven organization that acquires birth tissue to help those in need of transplantable grafts.

Patrick has been in the tissue banking industry for over 25 years. He started in eye banking and eventually moved into cadaveric tissue, overseeing operations for a large OPO in Tennessee for almost a decade before moving into his current role in birth tissue.  

Patrick has been involved in multiple AATB workgroups and contributed to the recently updated physical assessment in the current edition of the published AATB standards. He is currently co-chair of the AATB Membership Committee.  

Patrick received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Virginia. He is certified as an Eye Bank Technician through The Eye Bank Association of America and as a Tissue Bank Specialist (AATB).

Nick has spent the majority of his career working for or with accredited tissue banks. For the last five years, Nick has served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Biologos. Where he has had the unique opportunity to partner with many tissue processing teams around the country. He is excited to be a part of the Membership Committee and the Living Donor Council. He is also a proud tissue recipient and appreciates the incredible gift of donation!

Alyssa Harrison serves as the VP of Tissue Operations at LifeShare Network. She has been in the donation industry for over 10 years, starting at United Tissue Network, a non-transplant domination organization.  In her current role, she oversees all aspects of Tissue Recovery and Donation Services, including day-to-day management, donor assessment and evaluation, organization policy, procedure protocol application, training, strategic planning, and administrative duties. She reviews and evaluates all performance metrics and key performance indicators with a primary focus on identifying opportunities for improvement and growth for both departments.  She works as an executive leader to develop and execute strategic plans and annual operative and capital budgets.

Alyssa is a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist and is an active member of AATB, having served on numerous committees, councils, and the Board of Governs. 

She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Adult Education and a Master of Business Administration.

Anna Tirrell is the President of Birth Tissue Recovery, LLC., in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Anna began her tissue banking career more than ten years ago, processing amniotic membrane allografts.  Since then, she has expanded her roles and responsibilities to include successfully guiding 510k medical device clearance, CE mark, and quality system design.  She has extensive experience with FDA and ISO, quality system build-up, and industry knowledge.  She is an AATB-Certified Tissue Bank Specialist and serves the Association as a member of the Standards Committee.  Anna is dedicated to, and passionate about educating others about the benefits of human tissue donation,

As Exsurco’s leader of their Amalgatome devices, Codi helps burn clinicians solve challenges in excision and skin grafting.  Codi is available to assist surgical and burn centers in clinical evaluations, data collection, training labs and to provide support during burn and trauma procedures.

Codi has performed over 2,000 tissue recovery procedures resulting in life-saving allografts used in burn and trauma, cardiac and vascular applications.  He is sitting for the Certified Wound Care Specialist (CWS) this summer, adding that certification to his credentials. 

Adam helps maximize clinician experience with the Exsurco’s burn and surgical applications.  He leads training labs for our customers, conducts in-services, attends initial cases, assists in clinical evaluations of the system, works closely with Sterile Processing Departments and compiles documentation to support Value Analysis requirements. 

Adam has recovered over 16,000 life-saving skin allografts in his 11+ years as a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist (CTBS).  He plans to add Certified Wound Care Specialist (CWS) to his credentials soon.

Ryan’s passion is for training customers to ensure Exsurco products and services add value to the work they do every day.  In this role, he provides hands-on training programs, conducting in-services, providing product troubleshooting support regarding safety, handling, operation, and maintenance of the products in tissue banks.

Ryan understands the value of fostering a team approach to recovery based on his 14 years of experience in the Tissue Banking industry.  His guidance helps significantly increase split-thickness skin recovery yields at every site visited.

With Exsurco since its inception in 2010, Amber led the company’s growth into tissue and surgical settings to redefine excision science.  She supports Exsurco’s community of healthcare professional customers who are advancing the healing power of skin to patients who need it the most.

Uncovering customer needs, problem-solving, and providing solutions is nothing new to Amber who started her career as a Surgical Technician and Combat Medic in the U.S. Army.  After completing active duty, she remained in the reserves and found her home in the transplant industry at Lifeline of Ohio.  Her second day on the job was the September 11^th attacks on our nation and Amber knew then saving lives would become her lifelong passion.

Amber worked with the team of engineers that developed the Amalgatome MD for skin grafting procedures in tissue donation, which since 2010 has resulted in over half a million life-saving dermal allografts for burn survivors.

Exsurco is proud to be a partner of the Phoenix Society and The Spiegel Burn Foundation for Burn Survivors and an advocate for Tissue Donation Across America through Donate Life America and the American Association of Tissue Banks.

Thomas Willett is an Assistant Professor in Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo where he directs the Composite Biomaterial Systems Laboratory and contributes to the undergraduate Biomedical Engineering program and a graduate level NSERC CREATE training program in Global Biomedical Technology Research and Innovation. He has been involved in skeletal tissue mechanics research (both soft and hard tissues) for over 15 years, starting with cartilage mechanics (MASc, Queen’s University), then damage mechanisms in tendons (PhD, Dalhousie University) and a broad range of studies in bone quality and mechanics (Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto). He has conducted research in the structural allograft processing area for approximately 8 years. Current research focusses on cortical bone fracture mechanics, the factors affecting cortical bone quality and mechanical properties including processing and sterilization in tissue banking, and the development of 3D printable composite biomaterials for bone reconstruction. He has published 45 peer reviewed journal articles and his laboratory has received major funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Foundational for Innovation and the Ontario Ministry for Research and Innovation.

Dr. Sharon Castellanos is an expert nurse practitioner in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine with a strong internal medicine background. She has spent the last 25 years as a champion in the field of diabetes, developing, implementing and deploying innovative curriculums within Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara and Kaiser San Jose. Her goal is to improve access, value and meaningful care to obstetrical patients. She recently retired from Kaiser and returned to practice within Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center, serving her community as a Maternal Fetal Medicine Nurse Practitioner. She has received many awards for her contributions in nursing clinically and within the community. Her life shifted in 2006 when she became a donor mom. This loss exposed her to the increasing health disparities around tissue and organ donation. To bridge this gap, she founded Brandon’s Crossroads Foundation Inc., a non-profit foundation whose mission is to educate adolescents on tissue and organ donation. She obtained her Doctorate from Northern Consortium of Nursing Practice, in June 2014 and has continued research in this field of tissue and organ donation education. 

Shannon has been involved in the tissue bank community since 1998. She began her work in transplant at the University of California San Francisco Tissue Bank as a tissue team leader and developing comprehensive training programs. She later moved to Arizona and worked in Quality & Regulatory Affairs for the Donor Network of Arizona. Shannon then worked at Transplant for Life, first as the Director of Quality and later as the Tissue Bank Director, where she helped develop the facility’s birth tissue program.  She currently works for Gift of Life Michigan as the Tissue Recovery Manager.  

Shannon received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Cornell College and her master’s in health administration from Grand Canyon University.

Emmitt serves as Manager of Tissue Recovery and Research Training at LifeGift Organ Donation Center, providing leadership, training, and evaluation of tissue recovery for implantation and tissue for research. Emmitt also serves his colleagues by designing educational and training curricula and courses to increase staff competency and retention for the critical work performed.

Emmitt is passionate about leadership, training, developing individuals and teams, and helping advance the programs in which they work to achieve goals. Emmitt obtained his CTBS in 2013 and has continued to progress upward positionally to his current role while learning leadership, process development, and improvement strategies.

Before launching a career in tissue donation, Emmitt studied at the University of Houston toward a Bachelor of Science in Biology and minored in Health, where his value of science and healthcare has driven him to excel and contribute in the way he is doing so today.

Jennifer has been with AlloSource for 15 years and provides overall management and leadership to the Quality Control, Product Suitability & Release and Quality Management Systems departments. She and her team support the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and Design Control (New Product Development) at AlloSource. Under her leadership, AlloSource has developed a robust Quality infrastructure using evidence based best practices to mitigate risk and resolve process deficiencies. Jennifer is AlloSource's Management Representative and acts as liaison with the FDA, ISO, AATB and other regulatory authorities, as well as customers. 

Roman Hitchev, M.D., MPH, is Vice President & Chief Science Officer for the American Association of Tissue Banks. Dr. Hitchev has more than 20 years of tissue banking and procurement experience. Prior to joining AATB, Dr. Hitchev served as president and chief medical officer for Tissue Bank Osteocentre BG (OCBG), a tissue procurement organization licensed in Europe under EU Dir. 2004/23/EC. Prior to this position, Dr. Hitchev was vice president international of Osteotech Inc. (OSTE, now Medtronic) and president of Osteotech’s European subsidiary. Dr. Hitchev also served as executive director with Lions Eye and Tissue Bank and Research Foundation (Lions of Distirt 22-C) and organ procurement coordinator with the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium.

Dr. Wolfe is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Disease at Duke. Dr. Wolfe is also the Chief Medical Director for Duke’s Emerging Pathogens Unit, which focuses on preparedness in the event of emerging biothreats, especially at the moment, the 2019 novel Coronavirus.  He also serves as one of the core Transplant Infectious Disease faculty.   Locally, he lectures in the Community Preparedness and Disaster Management class at the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as at Duke University Medical School. Nationally, his expertise in the fields of transplantation and emerging infections in the immunocompromised has been recognized with appointment as the Chair of the national HHS Disease Transmission Advisory Committee from 2016-2018.

Cameron now serves as an At-Large member of the Board of Directors of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network.  Under his leadership, the OPTN and national organ procurement sganizations fostered the re-writing of the PHS Increased Risk Guidelines for organ donors, and re-wrote policy accounting for emerging pathogens, including Zika, ebola and MERs-CoV.    Dr. Wolfe maintains an active HIV practice and continues his clinical research, with multiple influenza and respiratory viral studies ongoing at Duke.  

Marion is the Director of Donor Family Services and Community Outreach for Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, while currently serving as President for the Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation. With over 11 years’ experience as a champion for community outreach and a passion for educating and engaging people on the importance of organ and tissue donation.  Her oversight includes the grassroots education and outreach to communities whether they are at work, play, school, church or home, as well as ensuring Family Services assists donor families with finding a “new normal” after the loss of a loved one.  As the former radio host of Let’s Talk Donation with Gift of Hope, Marion raised awareness on a local, regional and national platform to address and combat the myths and misconceptions about organ and tissue donation. Marion contributed and co-authored the research article “African-Americans' perceptions of organ donation: Simply boils down to mistrust”. She holds a Master’s of Philosophy in Management, from Walden University, a Master’s in Human Resource Management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, a Bachelors in Leadership Studies from Kendall College and she is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Organizational Leadership and Change at Walden University. as well as, Chair of the Donate Life Illinois State Team, past Advisory Council Member for Donate Life America, past Healthcare Co-Chair for Rainbow/PUSH and Committee Member for the 7^th Congressional District of Illinois Health Advisory Committee.  Marion is a courageous donor wife, and has one daughter and resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Freda G. Sampson is an advocate for justice and equality, entrepreneur, creative, and author. Her passion stems from observing her father, Rev. Dr. Frederick G. Sampson, II, who was a civil rights leader and pastor who fought for equality for all people. Witnessing that love in action has formed the direction of her personal and professional journey. A diversity and inclusion professional, Freda provides consulting, training and facilitation services to corporations and organizations throughout Michigan and Canada on diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency.

Remonia A. Chapman is the community outreach manager and director of the Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) Gift of Life Michigan.  She is also the past national president of the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT).  Under Chapman’s leadership, Gift of Life MOTTEP and the Detroit MOTTEP Foundation have received many national awards for increasing organ awareness and donation rates in Michigan. During Chapman’s tenure with the organization, National MOTTEP has honored the Gift of Life MOTTEP as a model program because of its community collaborations, partnerships and community empowerment.  Chapman is a devoted health advocate whose career exemplifies spirituality and service. She was recently honored by the Detroit News as one of the 2018 Michiganians of the Year.

Chapman earned a bachelor’s of science degree in biology and psychology from Wayne State University. She has also completed post-graduate health education programs at Wayne State University and Case Western Reserve University-School of Medicine. She has also completed graduate studies at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Leadership Detroit’s Class XXXIII and Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute. Remonia is an associate minister at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Charles Christian Adams, and Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams.  She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Rho Omega Chapter, and serves on the local, regional and international levels. 

Donyale R. Padgett is an educator and communications professional with 20 years of progressive industry experience and over 15 years of teaching experience at the college level. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Diversity, Culture, and Communication in the Department of Communication at Wayne State University (WSU), where she has worked since 2002. Professor Padgett holds a doctorate degree from Howard University in rhetoric and intercultural communication. She also holds a master’s degree in organizational communication/public relations and a bachelor’s degree in journalism – both from Wayne State University. Much of her research focuses on issues of race and culture, with particular emphasis on crises that affect marginalized and underrepresented groups. She has published numerous articles in academic journals and presents her work at regional and national conferences. She is also a very active practitioner, a sought-after speaker on topics of diversity and inclusion, and works with numerous organizations to improve communications programming and provide more inclusive workspaces.

Charles is a graduate of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary with a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Sacred Theology where he focused on American Religion and Culture. He has previously served as a Family Advocate and the Religious Affairs Coordinator for Southeast Tissue Alliance. Charles currently serves as a Hospital Development Coordinator for HonorBridge, formerly Carolina Donor Services, where he focuses on rural and smaller urban hospitals. Charles has worked in the tissue banking and OPO industries for 19 years.

On a more personal note, Charles' mother was a tissue donor early in his tissue banking career. Charles serves as a chaplain for his local Cub Scout pack and is a published fiction author.

Beth Cameron, Manager of Family Aftercare with ARORA, is a Certified Child Life Specialist, a Certified Volunteer Manager, and is Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement. The Family Aftercare team at ARORA provides care and support to families and coordinates ARORA’s volunteer program.  Beth is a member of AATB’s Donor Family Services Council and is part of the subcommittee devoted to exploring ways to increase communication between tissue donor families and recipients.  Beth is passionate about donation, providing support to grieving families, animal rescue, volunteerism, and pediatric oncology camps.

Josh Brennan, CTBS spent 6 years as an EMS professional and was an educator for the Red Cross. Josh has been with New England Donor Services for almost 14 years in various roles in the Tissue Operations Department. He is currently the Director of Tissue Operations. He has published three abstract articles with the American Association of Tissue Banks and was part of the creative development team for the Hopes Heroes - Donor Family Program. He has been invited to speak at multiple workshops/conferences/webinars on various topics including Electronic Tissue Authorization, Call Center Scheduling, Algorithmic Tissue Screening, Electronic Tissue Allocation, DRAI competency & training, and Grief Concepts. Josh is currently serving on the AATB Education Committee and was the project co-manager on the development of the Sepsis Education Online Learning Tool for the RADE Council.

Deborah has been with LifeNet Health since 2011 beginning her career as a Family Support Coordinator, working with families in the hospital at the time of their loved one’s death. She approached families for donation, provided education on donation, completed all necessary paperwork, and supported the family until their loved one went for procurement. In 2014 Deborah became the Manager for Donor Family Services and was promoted to Director of Donor Family Services in 2015. Prior to coming to LifeNet Health, Deborah served as Director of Children’s Ministries Family Ministries at two local churches and led a team of consultants in direct sales as an Advanced Director. Prior to that, she was an elementary guidance counselor with Norfolk Public Schools implementing the guidance program, writing curriculum, and securing grants to provide additional services to students within the school.

Deborah earned her Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Radford University. She is an active member of the AATB Donor Family Services Council and the AOPO Donor Family Services Council. 

Erin has worked in the field of donation and transplantation for 20 years. As her role as an Aftercare Specialist, she is responsible for providing support to organ, tissue & cornea donor families, as well as acting as a liaison to the transplant and tissue banking communities. Erin is an active member of the AATB Donor Family Services Council.

Kristen has worked in the Organ and Tissue donation field for the last 5 years. She has mostly been in the Donor Referral Center screening donors and approaching families, currently, she is the department Supervisor. Kristen is a Certified Grief Counselor and studying to get her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is passionate about donation, working with donor families, mental health, and helping combat mental health issues for those in the donation world, first responders, hospital workers, etc.

Lauralee Brown joined MTF Biologics in 2001 after 10 years of working in the field of donation and transplantation. Her introduction to the field began as a critical care cardiovascular nurse caring for heart and lung transplant recipients. She then accepted a position working for LOPA as a recovery/hospital development coordinator. In 1994, she joined the Midwest Transplant Network and was promoted in 1997 to Manager of Operations with responsibilities overseeing Quality Management, Staff Development and Training, Community Education, Donor Family Services, and Special Projects. Lauralee currently serves as a senior regional director, managing client relations, overseeing donor services communication, and other projects for MTF Biologics.

Melissa Chiumiento is an Aftercare Specialist at New England Donor Services. She has served thousands of donors’ families over the course of her five year career. She graduated Suffolk University in Boston, MA in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. As someone who works with and for donor families every day, Melissa offers extensive knowledge and insight into the true needs and expectations of this population. She also specializes in maintaining professional relationships with local transplant centers & recipient acknowledgement/engagement with donor families.

John A. Grant, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Dip. Sport Med., is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon whose practice includes sports medicine and shoulder surgery with a focus on complex knee and cartilage/joint preservation surgery. He completed his PhD in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre. This was followed by medical school and orthopaedic residency at the University of Calgary. He then came south across the border to undertake a fellowship in orthopaedic sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the University of Michigan. Following two years of elective sports medicine practice in Canada with an appointment as an Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University, he returned to join the Orthopaedic Surgery faculty at the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor. In 2013, he was the Canadian Orthopaedic Association’s representative for the North American Travelling Fellowship (NATF). He is the Head Team Orthopaedic Surgeon for Eastern Michigan University Athletics and a Team Physician for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program based in Plymouth, MI. He is a member of multiple committees within the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), as well as the Director of Orthopaedic Resident Education for the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at the University of Michigan. His research interests focus on the management and outcomes associated with both cartilage and multi-ligamentous injury of the knee as well as the optimization of rehabilitation following orthopedic sports medicine procedures. 

Dr. Bloor (CEO Videregen Limited) has over 30 years of experience in medical devices and regenerative medicine, with key expertise and leadership in strategic R&D, clinical compliance, and regulation specific to these areas having worked in US multinationals (J&J, Covidien/Medtronic) and UK start-up companies.

Formerly Chief Scientific Officer at Tissue Science Laboratories (TSL) plc., where Dr Bloor led the development of TSL’s unique regenerative tissue-based technology which was successfully commercialized in the EU, USA and Australasia. TSL listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) via IPO, and was subsequently acquired by Covidien/Medtronic where Dr. Bloor became Vice President of R&D.

After the integration of TSL technology into Covidien/Medtronic, Dr. Bloor founded Videregen with a spin-out of world-leading tissue engineering IP from UK research organizations. Via angel investment and regional VC’s leveraged by UK and European Horizon 2020 grants, Dr. Bloor has led Videregen through preclinical and manufacturing development, and regulatory approval with the first human clinical trial imminent.

Dr. Pryhuber has been a neonatologist for over 30 years, caring for newborn infants who need the support of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the first days to months of their lives. For over 20 years, she has also been an active researcher and author in fields of human lung injury and neonatal immunology in the Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The majority of her work is focused on respiratory problems occurring in children due to prematurity, environmental exposures and infections. Dr. Pryhuber collaborates extensively with other investigators and doctors in many medical centers and fields of study, including neonatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, obstetrics/perinatology, immunology, microbiology, pathology, molecular biology and genomics, perinatal development and disease, with an ultimate goal is to reduce respiratory morbidity in children, especially those born prematurely. Dr. Pryhuber has led for the last 5 years, the Human Tissue Core for the Lung Development Molecular Atlas Program (LungMAP HTC). In partnership with the UNOS transplant network, the LungMAP HTC has created an extensive repository of consented, transplant-quality pediatric research tissues that provides multiple research centers with unique opportunities to explore the developing human respiratory tract and immune system in an unusually high quality and holistic manner (see LungMAP.net; LGEA Web Portal). Our success with building a pediatric lung tissue repository that includes many additional components of the immune system is unique and so valuable to translating from basic science laboratories to the bedside of infants and children.

Laura LeGuin, BSN serves as the Research and Donation Support Coordinator for LOPA – the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. She started her career at LOPA in 2011 as a Tissue Recovery Coordinator, moved to the role as a Quality Support Coordinator where she also began the Neonatal Donation Program in 2013. In 2017 the role of Research and Donation Support Coordinator was created where Laura’s main focus is the Neonatal Donation Program while also assisting with the Research Department.

Jonathan has worked in multiple roles in the tissue banking and transplant industry, including recovery and leadership. Jonathan is currently the Director of Education at AATB, overseeing educational programming development and the Certified Tissue Bank Specialist program. Jonathan earned his undergraduate degree in communications and a master’s degree in science in management. Jonathan is a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. 

Jonathan is an active member of the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME), an Affiliate Member of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and an active committee member of IACME, NAME, and Donate Life America. 

After earning a BS in microbiology from McNeese State University and finishing up 6 years as a special operations forward air controller in the Louisiana Air National Guard, Kip Hanks began employment with the FDA as a field investigator in 1997. After a few years as a generalist covering multiple FDA-regulated products, he became a district biologics specialist and then the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) biologics national expert. In this role, Kip was responsible for providing regulatory and guidance interpretation and application to ORA staff, training and mentoring new investigators, serving on policy and document workgroups and advising ORA senior leadership on biologics-related matters. In July 2021, he joined the American Association of Tissue Banks as its first director of regulatory and governmental affairs. In this role, Kip establishes and communicates the AATB official position regarding regulatory issues that may impact AATB member organizations to the FDA and other applicable governmental and standard-setting organizations. He provides expert interpretation, guidance, strategy and counsel on existing laws, regulations, standards, and guidance that impact AATB members.

Sharon O’Callaghan is a Consumer Safety Officer with the Division of Inspections and Surveillance, Office of Compliance and Biologics Quality, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.  Ms. O’Callaghan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Prior to joining FDA, she worked at a community hospital as a bench tech and supervisor in all areas of the laboratory.  She joined the FDA in 1988 as a medical technologist. Ms. O’Callaghan has managed the Biological Product Deviation Reporting since 1990.  She was instrumental in developing the regulation on Biological Product Deviation Reporting (21 CFR 600.14 and & CFR 606.171), which was published September 7, 2001.  She also developed two guidance documents to accompany this rule.  Ms. O’Callaghan also developed the deviation reporting system for the Human Cells, Tissues and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/Ps) and was instrumental in developing the guidance for HCT/P deviation reporting (21 CFR 1271.350(a)). She has participated in many outreach efforts to the blood and plasma industry, the traditional biological product industry, as well as the HCT/P industry. 

In 1971, while working as a Surgical Technician, Dr. Powers had his first exposure to tissue donation. He later received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Old Dominion University and trained further in blood banking and HLA immunology. This training allowed him to work closely with the kidney transplant program at Eastern Virginia Medical School. A DDS was earned at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1987 followed by a General Practice Residency at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. Ralph has over 40 years exposure to all facets of transplantation. The last 25 were focused on allograft use in dentistry. Currently, he has “the best job in the world” – retirement. However, he stays active as a medical writer and consultant focused on health communications and non-profit management. Ralph actively supports the American Association of Tissue Banks in their educational efforts.

In 1971, while working as a Surgical Technician, Dr. Powers had his first exposure to tissue donation. He later received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Old Dominion University and trained further in blood banking and HLA immunology. This training allowed him to work closely with the kidney transplant program at Eastern Virginia Medical School. A DDS was earned at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1987 followed by a General Practice Residency at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. Ralph has over 40 years exposure to all facets of transplantation. The last 25 were focused on allograft use in dentistry. Currently, he has “the best job in the world” – retirement. However, he stays active as a medical writer and consultant focused on health communications and non-profit management. Ralph actively supports the American Association of Tissue Banks in their educational efforts.

Darrel joined MTF Biologics in 2001 as an Education Director.  In this capacity, Darrel has worked with a number of tissue banks and organ procurement organizations throughout the United States providing tissue recovery, screening, and regulatory education.  Darrel has developed a number of education and training materials including the production, direction, and editing of two tissue recovery training videos.  In addition to these duties, Darrel has been involved in many specialized tissue recovery development assignments and research projects for major universities.  He has maintained his CTBS since 1992 and has been an AATB member since 1993.  Prior to joining MTF, Darrel was Assistant Manager of Tissue and Eye Procurement at Midwest Transplant Network in Westwood, Kansas. Darrel received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Webster University in 1998 and an MBA from Avila University in 2005.

With Exsurco since its inception in 2010, Amber led the company’s growth into tissue and surgical settings to redefine excision science.  She supports Exsurco’s community of healthcare professional customers who are advancing the healing power of skin to patients who need it the most.

Uncovering customer needs, problem-solving, and providing solutions is nothing new to Amber who started her career as a Surgical Technician and Combat Medic in the U.S. Army.  After completing active duty, she remained in the reserves and found her home in the transplant industry at Lifeline of Ohio.  Her second day on the job was the September 11^th attacks on our nation and Amber knew then saving lives would become her lifelong passion.

Amber worked with the team of engineers that developed the Amalgatome MD for skin grafting procedures in tissue donation, which since 2010 has resulted in over half a million life-saving dermal allografts for burn survivors.

Exsurco is proud to be a partner of the Phoenix Society and The Spiegel Burn Foundation for Burn Survivors and an advocate for Tissue Donation Across America through Donate Life America and the American Association of Tissue Banks.

Dr. Gregory Ray is the Medical Director at CryoLife in Kennesaw, GA. Dr. Ray is past Chair of the AATB Physicians’ Council, has served on the AATB Board of Governors, and is currently on the AATB Standards Committee. Dr. Ray received his B.S. degree in Biology from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA and his M.D. degree from Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. He completed a fellowship in Molecular Medicine at the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Genetics at MCG. 

He completed postgraduate training in Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and was Chief Resident at Emory University in 2000. Dr. Ray is certified by the American Board of Pathology in both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, with a special interest in cardiovascular pathology. He is a fellow of the College of American Pathologists and a member of the Society of Cardiovascular Pathology. Prior to joining CryoLife in 2003, Dr. Ray served as Laboratory Medical Director and Staff Pathologist in four Atlanta area community hospitals.

Anne Engemann began working with Axogen in 2014 as a Product Development consultant and in 2016 was brought on as a Clinical and Translational Scientist. Since that time, she has held roles as a Medical Science Liaison and is currently the Manager of the Medical Affairs department. In this role she is responsible for scientific communications, publication planning, grants, and surgeon education. Prior to her time at Axogen, Dr. Engemann completed postdoctoral research at the University of Florida and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Engemann earned a BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology and an MA in Audiology from Western Michigan University and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Cincinnati. Prior to earning her PhD, Dr. Engemann spent several years providing audiology and intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring services.

Dr. Namin is the Vice President of Research and Development for UMTB Biomedical, Inc. She is responsible for leading product development of all cell and tissue based products for the company. In addition, Dr. Namin is an important member of the commercialization team. Her main interest is the development of regenerative therapies focused around amniotic derived tissue products. As such, Dr. Namin has played an integral role in developing and commercializing the company’s amniotic tissue offerings.

Dr. Namin received her bachelors and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Florida International University.  She also received an MBA and MS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami. During her studies, Dr. Namin spent several years working in many different facets in the tissue engineering realm, focusing on the commercialization of cell and tissue based products. She has multiple publications and patents for her work on the development of these therapies. She is currently an active member of the Scientific & Technical Affairs Committee (STAC) for the American Association of Tissue Banks.  

Mark Allen Durivage has worked as a practitioner, educator, consultant, and author. He is Managing Principal Consultant at Quality Systems Compliance LLC, an ASQ Fellow, and holds several certifications including; CTBS, RAC, and CQA He has written several books available through ASQ Quality Press, and written articles in Quality Magazine, Quality Progress, GxP Lifeline,  and Life Science Connect.

Ann has had several roles in her 13 years at Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, most recently officially moving into IT as a Business and Data Analyst.  She oversaw the development of a home-grown tissue chart and later managed Gift of Hope's move to the iTransplant charting system.  In 2018, she and Tyler Roesler began the AQuA (Automated Quality Assurance) project, launching the organ version in late 2018 and the tissue version in 2019.  She is working on a dual masters degree program at Benedictine University and will complete her MS in Business Analytics in December of 2020 and her MBA in August of 2022.

Mark Allen Durivage has worked as a practitioner, educator, consultant, and author. He is Managing Principal Consultant at Quality Systems Compliance LLC, an ASQ Fellow, and holds several certifications including; CTBS, RAC, and CQA He has written several books available through ASQ Quality Press, and written articles in Quality Magazine, Quality Progress, GxP Lifeline,  and Life Science Connect.

Michelle Gilbert is the Director of the Communications Center for Donation at LifeGift in Houston, Texas. She is a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist who has over twenty years of experience in the field of donation and transplantation. Michelle began her career as an eye bank technician and has held several leadership positions including Tissue Recovery Manager at Midwest Transplant Network and Product Manager at Statline.

Alexis has been in the industry for 14 years, all of it being the in the call center environment. She started as a Donation Services coordinator with Midwest Transplant Network, and worked her way up to a Supervisor/AOC. She is currently the Manager of the Communications Center for Donation at Lifegift, where she helped with the establishment of the remote coordinator program.

Diana is the Sr. Vice President, Tissue Donation Services (TDS) at New England Donor Services (NEDS). As a member of the executive team she provides pointed, strategic direction in the achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives, while promoting harmonious integration between all functions and departments. Through the application of executive-level leadership and oversight, maximizes the value for partners, stakeholders and donor families by engaging and empowering a dedicated workforce.  Through a rigorous alignment of mission, vision and goals all TDS leaders strive to deliver high-quality tissue recovery services, optimize work-place performance through the selection, training, and development of tomorrow’s leaders and drive best practices through active participation in AATB. Diana transitioned from a career in Education Administration to Tissue Banking in 1999 and has been an engaged member of the AATB community since 2001.  

New England Donor Services NEDS (formerly New England Organ Bank) 
NEDS is a dynamic organization of dedicated professionals who are driven to achieve the mission of saving and healing lives through organ, tissue and eye donation. NEDS is an affiliation of two extraordinary federally designated organ-procurement organizations, LifeChoice Donor Services and New England Organ Bank. The NEDS Tissue Donation Services provides the full array of tissue and ocular recovery services in six New England states.   NEDS is registered with the FDA as a tissue and ocular recovery agency and is accredited by AATB and EBAA. 

Dr. Rachel Frank is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist who focuses on the surgical and non-surgical management of knee, shoulder, and elbow injuries. Dr. Frank has specialized training and technical expertise in the areas of advanced knee and shoulder arthroscopy, cartilage/meniscus restoration surgery, shoulder instability surgery, and care of the female athlete. Currently, Dr. Frank serves as an Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and is Director of the Joint Preservation Program at the University of Colorado. Dr. Frank earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois while playing 4 years of Division I Soccer, with majors in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Spanish, and her medical degree (MD) at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She then completed her Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the renowned Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where she was a Chief Resident. After residency, Dr. Frank completed a Sports Medicine and Shoulder Fellowship at Rush University Medical Center, where she was involved with the medical and surgical care of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire, USA Rugby, and DePaul University. Following this fellowship, Dr. Frank completed a Traveling Fellowship throughout Canada and Europe, training with some of the world’s best knee and shoulder surgeons to develop additional expertise in the areas of knee joint preservation surgery, advanced ligament repair and reconstruction, complex shoulder reconstruction, and techniques in OrthoBiologics. Dr. Frank has authored or co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, over 50 book chapters, has edited 1 textbook, and presents her research both nationally and internationally at orthopaedic conferences and meetings every year. Her research has garnered dozens of prestigious national and international awards, including the prestigious AOSSM Bart Mann Award for the Advancement of Sports Medicine Research, as well as several competitive grants, including funding from the NIH, ABOS, and OREF. Along with her commitment to providing outstanding patient care, Dr. Frank believes strongly in the importance of advancing the field of sports medicine through involvement in research, leadership, advocacy, and education, and is actively involved in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows. Dr. Frank has been an Alan Levine Scholar in Orthopaedic Graduate Medical Education, has participated in the prestigious AAOS/OREF/ORS Clinician Scholar Development Program, was selected to United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) Young Investigators Program, and is a grant reviewer for the NIH. Dr. Frank is a team physician for the University of Colorado Buffaloes and University of Denver Pioneers and is co-medical director for the Colorado Storm Soccer Association. She is a former Division I collegiate soccer player and enjoys cycling, hiking, and long-distance triathlon. She is passionate about taking care of athletes of all levels, from the weekend warrior to the competitive athlete. Having had multiple orthopaedic surgeries herself, Dr. Frank understands what it means to be a patient, and strives to provide individualized care to every patient, with the ultimate goal of eliminating pain, optimizing function, and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.