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Department of Surgery Department of Surgery
  1. Department of Surgery
  2. Research
  3. REIMAGINE organ donation
  4. Call to Purpose

About the REIMAGINE Center

The UCSD Center for Research, Education, Innovation and Transformation in Organ Donation (REIMAGINE) istransplant-word-map2.jpeg 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. With a patient dying every 17 minutes on the waitlist, the shortfall of over 25,000 organs annually is not just a statistic—it's a series of personal tragedies and a narrative of dwindling hope.

Since the inception of transplantation in the US, the field of transplant has been a heavily regulated field of medicine whose focus on clinical outcomes has driven policy and programmatic development. This historic single-focused lens on post-transplant outcomes has failed to address, and perhaps perpetuated, the now clear multifactorial, systemic problems. REIMAGINE pioneers a unique approach by fusing health equity, environmental science, mindfulness, academic medicine, and industry innovation. Our goal is to improve organ availability, enhance organ preservation, reduce waste, ensure equitable transplant access, and provide compassionate care to donor families and healthcare providers. By using advanced technology and new methods, we aim to tackle obstacles in organ donation—from culturally responsive care for donor families to state-of-the-art organ preservation—to increase donor inclusivity and organ utilization.  This initiative, the first of its kind in the United States, aims to set a new benchmark for transplantation by revolutionizing the organ donation landscape.

Under the stewardship of a committed board of directors, composed of leading experts from UCSD Health Sciences and the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, REIMAGINE is built upon four essential pillars that underpin its mission to revolutionize the organ donation and transplantation landscape.

The Education and Innovation pillar seeks to elevate public and professional understanding of organ donation while pioneering advancements in organ preservation and donation processes. The objective is to disseminate knowledge widely and foster technological breakthroughs that streamline the efficiency of the organ donation system.

In the realm of Equity, Policy, Ethics, and Economics, REIMAGINE endeavors to address the disparities and ethical challenges in the current organ donation system. This pillar ensures that the center's work drives policy changes and promotes a transplantation system characterized by fairness and justice, offering equitable access to all individuals.

The third pillar, centered on Compassion, Mindfulness, and Burnout, acknowledges the emotional weight shouldered by families involved in organ donation and the healthcare providers facilitating this process. The focus here is on integrating mindfulness and support systems to alleviate burnout among professionals, fostering a culture of compassion throughout the donor journey.

The fourth pillar, Basic and Translational Sciences, dedicates itself to the scientific investigation and application of research in the field of organ donation. The board of directors guides efforts to bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific discovery and clinical practice, ensuring that research findings lead to tangible improvements in donor inclusivity and organ utilization.

The center's long-term vision includes scaling up these initiatives to not only meet immediate needs but also drive systemic change within the organ donation and transplantation ecosystem. By providing essential insights and interventions, REIMAGINE aims to be at the vanguard of a new era marked by technological innovation, environmental consciousness, compassion, and a staunch commitment to equity—both in the San Diego community and across the nation.