Dr. Neidlinger completed her transplant surgery training at the University of Wisconsin in 2010, then spent a decade in Northern California as a kidney and pancreas transplant surgeon at California Pacific Medical Center and as Chief Medical Officer for Donor Network West, where she worked closely with OPO and hospital partners to strengthen donor evaluation, expand organ utilization, and improve collaboration across the donation–transplant continuum. In 2020 she returned to her alma mater in Madison where she works clinically as a kidney transplant surgeon and OPO Medical Director. Her work has consistently focused on turning complex clinical and operational challenges into practical collaborative solutions.
Dr. Neidlinger is nationally known for her work in donor management, organ allocation, and donation after circulatory death and has been involved in multiple NIH-funded studies, including the Donor Heart Study. She has authored more than 45 peer-reviewed publications and frequently speaks on aligning transplant centers and OPOs, advancing donor research, and supporting donor families through meaningful, evidence-based practices.
Dr. Neidlinger brings a pragmatic, team-based perspective grounded in real-world experience with a clear focus on improving outcomes while honoring the generosity of donors and their families. Outside of work she stays busy with 3 kids, ice hockey, and escaping Wisconsin winter as a Brandi Carlile and Notre Dame football fan. Go Irish!
