UAB Department of Surgery Professor and Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation Michael Hanaway, M.D., has been approved by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) as a representative of Region 3 on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation (OPTN)’s Kidney Transplantation Committee.

Hanaway will assist in policy development for the OPTN, which acts through its board of directors and committees. The OPTN looks to the board of directors and committees to bring a wealth of commitment and technical knowledge as guidance for policy.

UAB Department of Surgery Associate Professor, Director of Transplantation and Director of the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, is proud of Hanaway and his achievements as he steps into this new role.

“Dr. Hanaway’s clinical perspective and years of experience as our program director make him the ideal candidate for this position,” said Locke. “This is a huge role particularly given the ongoing allocation policy debates, and I have no doubt that he will bring a rationale and evidence-based approach to the debate and provided a much needed voice for our patients and transplant programs at UAB.”

Hanaway is delighted to join the committee and a network comprised of medical professionals, transplant recipients and donor families that develop organ transplantation policy.

“One of my goals in this new leadership role is to make sure that no matter one’s socioeconomic status, race, gender or any other social identity, each individual on the waitlist has an equal opportunity for their needed organ transplant,” said Hanaway. “I look forward to serving the OPTN and representing the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute and Department of Surgery.”