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Jadia Bruckner

In 2025, I am answering the call to... honor donors by improving systems to maximize every gift.
Job Title: Patient Safety Manager
Organization: UNOS
Age: 36
Years in Donation and Transplantation: 11
What makes your career in organ donation and transplantation special? This work is not just professional for me, it's personal. My father was an organ donor, and walking him to the OR was the hardest, most profound experience of my life. I know firsthand what it feels like to hope for a miracle, to trust the process, and to cling to the idea that something beautiful can come from loss. That's why I show up every day ‚Äö to strengthen the systems, support the families, and honor the incredible gifts that make transplantation possible. Every improvement I lead, every process I help refine, is rooted in my belief that behind every donor ID is a face, a family, and a story worth fighting for.

Biography

Jadia Bruckner, Patient Safety Manager at United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), is a dedicated leader committed to advancing a safer, more efficient organ transplantation system. With 11 years of experience in the field, she has built a career rooted in quality improvement, collaboration, and a deep respect for the lives touched by donation.

She was nominated for The Alliance 40 Under 40 by Tess Gallagher, Communications Manager at UNOS. Gallagher wrote, “Jadia started her career at UNOS as an intern and has grown into a trusted leader in patient safety. Her commitment to continuous improvement and her ability to navigate sensitive issues with transparency and professionalism make her a role model within our organization.”

Bruckner currently oversees the UNOS Patient Safety program, where she manages reports related to transplant safety events and fosters learning from errors across the national transplant system. Her work includes leading the analysis of serious safety events, promoting shared accountability, and developing system-wide strategies that protect patients and improve outcomes. She is recognized for her calm, respectful approach and her ability to guide stakeholders through complex situations with clarity and compassion.

In her own words, Bruckner describes this work as deeply personal: “This is not just professional for me — it’s a calling. I approach every case with the mindset that it could impact someone I love.” That mindset informs her every action, from national policy discussions to one-on-one conversations with transplant professionals navigating difficult cases.

Jadia Bruckner’s leadership is grounded in empathy, accountability, and a steadfast belief that safety is not a barrier to innovation but a pathway to better care. Her efforts continue to shape a culture of learning and responsibility in donation and transplantation, where every process improvement honors the gift of life.