Michael leads the organization that provides pharmaceutical consulting service solutions to our clients including GMP and Quality Management services, validation services, business transformations, risk analysis, resource management, quality compliance audits. Michael has Nineteen years of Quality Management experience within pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing to support company and client leadership including development, implementation and management of core Quality Management Systems (QMS).

Prior to joining IQVIA, Michael was a Sr. Consultant at Sequence Inc. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Cuyahoga Community College.

Michael leads the organization that provides pharmaceutical consulting service solutions to our clients including GMP and Quality Management services, validation services, business transformations, risk analysis, resource management, quality compliance audits. Michael has Nineteen years of Quality Management experience within pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing to support company and client leadership including development, implementation and management of core Quality Management Systems (QMS).

Prior to joining IQVIA, Michael was a Sr. Consultant at Sequence Inc. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Cuyahoga Community College.

Diane Bickford has a master's degree in social work and has maintained her ASQ certification in Quality Management and Organizational Excellence since 2000. She received her Six Sigma Black Belt in 2010.  She has over 20 years of  quality management and operations experience in a variety of healthcare settings including adult MH/MR, skilled nursing facilities and children's psychiatric care. Diane received her training in Professional Coaching from Duquesne University and is certified through the International Coaches Federation.

Diane's leadership experience has been in both for and non-profit organizations. At the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, Diane oversees regulatory affairs, human resources/organizational development and all process improvement functions. Diane has developed and implemented quality management and process improvement programs throughout organizations. She has designed and presented numerous training courses to include: advanced level leadership training, communication skills, time management, team building, supervision, quality management and process improvement. Diane also functions as an internal professional coach. Diane is actively involved in several quality initiatives in the OPO community and is currently serving as member of the UNOS Operations & Safety Committee.

Diane Bickford has a master's degree in social work and has maintained her ASQ certification in Quality Management and Organizational Excellence since 2000. She received her Six Sigma Black Belt in 2010.  She has over 20 years of  quality management and operations experience in a variety of healthcare settings including adult MH/MR, skilled nursing facilities and children's psychiatric care. Diane received her training in Professional Coaching from Duquesne University and is certified through the International Coaches Federation.

Diane's leadership experience has been in both for and non-profit organizations. At the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, Diane oversees regulatory affairs, human resources/organizational development and all process improvement functions. Diane has developed and implemented quality management and process improvement programs throughout organizations. She has designed and presented numerous training courses to include: advanced level leadership training, communication skills, time management, team building, supervision, quality management and process improvement. Diane also functions as an internal professional coach. Diane is actively involved in several quality initiatives in the OPO community and is currently serving as member of the UNOS Operations & Safety Committee.

Patricia Darrigan is the Director of Public Relations and Communications at Legacy Donor Services Foundation. Her role with the Foundation is to develop and lead a communication and relationship-building plan that supports tissue donation activities in areas served by the organization. Some examples include donor memorials, bereavement/aftercare, donor awareness events, professional education for nursing and medical examiner staff, and public & media relations. 

 Ms. Darrigan has over 27-years of tissue donation experience. Prior to her career in tissue donation, she worked in the operating room for 13 years with a specialty in Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Open Heart, where human tissue grafts were often used to treat patients. Her love in caring for donor families has always been held in high regard, and she does what it takes to assure that the needs of donor families are met.

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. 

Patricia Darrigan is the Director of Public Relations and Communications at Legacy Donor Services Foundation. Her role with the Foundation is to develop and lead a communication and relationship-building plan that supports tissue donation activities in areas served by the organization. Some examples include donor memorials, bereavement/aftercare, donor awareness events, professional education for nursing and medical examiner staff, and public & media relations. 

 Ms. Darrigan has over 27-years of tissue donation experience. Prior to her career in tissue donation, she worked in the operating room for 13 years with a specialty in Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Open Heart, where human tissue grafts were often used to treat patients. Her love in caring for donor families has always been held in high regard, and she does what it takes to assure that the needs of donor families are met.

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. 

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!