Gift of Life Historical Timeline: Leadership and Success
Now and throughout its 50 years of service, Gift of Life Donor Program has continued to be internationally recognized for leadership, clinical excellence and innovation in donation and transplantation. Here are some of our historic achievements and milestones, as well as some of the groundbreaking advances in the field. While science continues to advance, it is essential human kindness and generosity that makes life-saving transplants possible.
Join the more than 50,000 people who signed up as organ donors over the past year to honor Gift of Life’s 50 years of service. Let’s keep the momentum going and create a future of hope for the thousands waiting for a transplant.
Decades of Life-Saving Impact
In 1974, the Greater Delaware Valley Society of Transplant Surgeons – led by renowned pioneering physicians Clyde Barker and Aaron Bannett – established the Delaware Valley Transplant Program (DVTP), later to become known as Gift of Life Donor Program.
Since its founding, Gift of Life has been widely recognized as a leader in the rapidly evolving field of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The program has pioneered legislative policies, advanced clinical innovations and developed best practices that are the gold standard for coordinating life-saving gifts.
Gift of Life has coordinated the most donors and organs for transplant of any organ procurement organization in the U.S. since the inception of our national donation system in 1988. This is thanks to our generous community, dedicated hospital partners, world-class staff and enthusiastic volunteer ambassadors.
Gift of Life’s impact is grounded in strong, collaborative leadership under President and CEO Richard D. Hasz, Jr., MFS, CPTC, and his predecessor, President and CEO Howard M. Nathan. Our enduring commitment to clinical innovation, professional excellence and system improvement continues as we strive to achieve a day when no patient dies waiting for a transplant.