Metrics and Mergers: LLF and WRTC, NEOB and LifeChoice (Individual)

During this presentation, we will discuss the process of merging donation organizations. Changes in the donation landscape, regulatory oversight, and metric criteria have led to mergers and shifts in donation service area lines.

First, New England Donor Services will discuss the growing pains from the combination of New England Organ Bank and LifeChoice. Then, we will review the ongoing merger of The Living Legacy Foundation and Washington Regional Transplant Community.

Rick M. Kolovich, MSN, RN, CCTC, CTBS

Director, Tissue Recovery Services

Infinite Legacy

Rick Kolovich is an Army Veteran with forty years of leadership experience in organ, eye, and tissue donation. He was the former Director of the Army/Navy Transplant Program and held clinical leadership positions at the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, Oklahoma's Organ Sharing Network, and the Living Legacy Foundation.

Rick earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Nursing from Kent State University and is also a certified clinical transplant coordinator, tissue banking specialist and received his certificate in the “Art of Leadership for Transplant Professionals” from the Wharton and Fox Schools of Business in 2018.

Rick is currently the Director of Tissue at the newly merged OPO (Infinite Legacy), formally, (the Washington Regional Transplant Community and the Living Legacy Foundation).

Mark DeFilippis, MBA, CTBS

Director, Tissue Operations Center, New England Donor Services

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.