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UCSD - University of California - San Diego
11/06/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2025 16:40
Bold Ideas for Reimagining Organ Donation and Transplantation
Story by:
- Brittany Fair- [email protected]
- Samantha Phan- [email protected]
Media contact:
- Stephanie Healey- [email protected]
Published Date
November 06, 2025Story by:
- Brittany Fair- [email protected]
- Samantha Phan- [email protected]
Media contact:
- Stephanie Healey- [email protected]
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Every day, more than 100,000 people in the United States wait for an organ transplant. The UC San Diego Center for Research, Education, Innovation and Transformation in Organ Donation (REIMAGINE) is a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing the urgent public health crisis caused by the dire organ shortage in the face of the ever-increasing need for transplants.
The REIMAGINE Center recently held its second annual symposium with the theme, "If You Could Change One Thing: Bold Ideas for Reimagining Organ Donation and Transplantation."
On Oct. 12-14, experts, patients and donor families gathered to discuss how innovation and collaboration could increase organ donation and improve the allocation process.
"At the heart of REIMAGINE is the belief that transformation happens through community. When we bring people together to reimagine organ donation and transplantation by leading with compassion, beginner's minds and open hearts, we can achieve what once seemed impossible: a system where no organs are wasted and no patients are waiting," said Gabriel Schnickel, M.D., chief of the Division of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, professor of surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and founder and executive director of the REIMAGINE Center.
Keynote speaker Amy Purdy
Keynote speaker Amy Purdy, kidney transplant recipient, three-time Paralympic medalist and New York Times bestselling author, spoke about the challenges she faced after undergoing a kidney transplant and double leg amputation, and how she reimagined those challenges as opportunities. This renewed mindset set her on a path toward becoming a Paralympian, founding an athletic program for youth and wounded veterans with physical disabilities, and competing on "Dancing with the Stars," among many other achievements. Purdy is also passionate about raising awareness about the power of organ donation.
"Our imaginations are huge tools for breaking through all the challenges in our lives, because in our minds, we can do anything, and we can be anything. It's believing in those dreams, and facing our fears head on, that allows us to live our lives beyond our limits," said Purdy.
The symposium also included talks from thought leaders, innovators, clinicians, researchers, patients, donor families and policy thinkers from around the country. The symposium covered a broad array of topics including using artificial intelligence to increase organ donation, the impact of medical mistrust and the future of lab-grown organs for transplantation.
Attendees at the REIMAGINE Symposium included: from left: Aleah Brubaker, Jeff Orlowski, Anji Wall, David Lee and Gabriel Schnickel.
The dynamic three-day symposium also went beyond the traditional agenda and included wellness activities, such as guided hikes, yoga and meditation, along with numerous opportunities to engage with the transplant community.
"REIMAGINE was designed to re-think organ donation and transplantation from every angle. Incorporating compassionate communication and wellness activities into the collaborative and innovative meeting environment allowed for a renewed sense of purpose and deeper commitment to REIMAGINE's pursuit of no organs wasted, no patients waiting," said Aleah Brubaker, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery and associate director of the REIMAGINE Center.
Symposium attendees participated in a group hike on the beach. Photo: Andrew Camarillo
"This community is testimony to the fact that one person can change someone's life forever, and I'm truly honored to be a part of it," says Leila Adler, managing director of the REIMAGINE Center.
To learn more about the REIMAGINE Center, please visit the website at REIMAGINE.ucsd.edu.
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