2026 National

Critical Issues Forum

The Alliance National Critical Issues Forum convenes current and emerging hospital systems, transplant, OPO, and physician/surgical leaders for a collaborative discussion to identify innovations, challenges, solutions, and strategies to increase organ donation and transplantation.

Pubs And Bars With Neon Lights In The French Quarter, New Orlean

Pre-Meetings: September 14, 2026 | Conference: September 15-16, 2026
French Quarter New Orleans

At a time when our field faces an unprecedented slowdown in deceased organ donation after years of consistent growth, the National Critical Issues Forum serves as a national platform to align, learn, and act. This Forum will focus on unlocking growth across the full continuum of donation – strengthening pathways for both deceased and living donors. By engaging multidisciplinary hospital teams, deepening integration between donation and transplant functions, and elevating best practices in hospital development, NCIF will help drive measurable improvement. Equally important, the Forum will address foundational opportunities to ensure that progress is both sustainable and grounded in confidence from the communities we serve. This moment calls for bold thinking and coordinated leadership.

Aleah Brubaker

MD, PhDUC San Diego

Richard Hasz

MFS, CPTCGift of Life Donor Program

Jaison Abraham

MBA, LSSBBOurLegacy

Matthew Cooper

MDMedical College of Wisconsin

Dorrie Dils

BSN, MHAGift of Life Michigan

Jordan Hoffman

MDUC Health

Deborah Levine

MD, FCCP, FASTStanford Medicine

Katie McKee

MPHMayo Clinic

Christopher Michetti

MD, FACS, FCCMUniversity of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center

Janice Whaley

PhD, MPH, CPTC, CTBSDonor Network West

We are pleased to offer our exceptional host hotel at a very special meeting rate!

Host Hotel: Ritz-Carlton New Orleans | 921 Canal Street | New Orleans, LA 70112
Meeting Attendee Block Rate: $249/night + tax (available until August 14, 2026, while inventory lasts)

UPDATE as of 8/3/26: The night of Tuesday, 9/15 is intermittently selling out at the Ritz-Carlton. Space does open occasionally when cancellations are made. Please keep checking back.

Book at Ritz-Carlton

Overflow Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott New Orleans French Quarter/Iberville (adjoining property to the Ritz-Carlton) | 910 Iberville Street | New Orleans, LA 70112
Variable block rates available through August 28, 2026, while inventory lasts

Book at Courtyard

Early Bird Pricing (Through July 24, 2026): $1,395
Standard Pricing (July 25, 2026 onward): $1,595

Refund Policy: Due to the costs associated with event production and planning, all registrations are nonrefundable. However, registrations may be transferred to a colleague or another member of your organization if you are unable to attend.

The following pre-meetings are available for add-on during the National Critical Issues Forum registration process. Attendance is exclusive to attendees of the National Critical Issues Forum.

American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Lung Donation Workshop
Monday, September 14, 2026 | 12pm – 5pm CT | View Agenda
Attendance Cost: $249

This add-on workshop is designed to address critical issues in lung donation through collaborative discussion, evidence-based case studies and actionable outcomes.

AlloEd Donation and Death Investigation Workshop
Monday, September 14, 2026 | 11am – 5pm CT | View Agenda
Attendance Cost: $249

Over 1,200 transplantable organs are estimated to be lost each year due to restrictions imposed by a medical examiner or coroner. This estimate forecasts restriction rates based on data gathered from an OPO survey conducted by the National Association of Medical Examiners and administered by AOPO. Inadequate procedures, education, and training are available to the donation and death investigation communities, resulting in a lack of cohesion across shared cases and a substantial reduction in donation opportunities.

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The Alliance Transplant Payer Collaborative
Monday, September 14, 2026 | 1pm – 5pm CT | View Agenda
Attendance Cost: $49

The Transplant Payer Collaborative pre-meeting convenes stakeholders from across transplant finance, reimbursement, and administration to strengthen dialogue and shared problem-solving in an increasingly complex environment. By bringing together payers, transplant programs, and operational leaders, this Collaborative aims to advance best practices, promote alignment, and support equitable access while improving long-term system sustainability and patient outcomes.

The Alliance National Transplant and Donation Quality Collaborative
Monday, September 14, 2026 | 1pm – 5pm CT | View Agenda
Attendance Cost: $49

The National Transplant & Donation Quality Collaborative addresses critical needs and gaps in quality efforts across transplant programs and OPOs. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, this Collaborative seeks to align stakeholders around shared goals in advancing quality as a specialty within donation and transplantation – strengthening competencies, standardizing practices, and elevating systems that ultimately benefit patients, families, and the professionals who serve them.

ACCME Joint – Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Infinite Legacy and The Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance. Infinite Legacy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

ACCME Credit Statement
Infinite Legacy designates this Live Conference for a maximum of 11.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Infinite Legacy has applied for 11.0 credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CEPTC and Nursing Contact Hours will be offered for this meeting, pending approval.