Celebrating Excellence in Organ Donation: AOPO Honors Suzanne Conrad and Bruce Nicely

AOPO Honors Leaders in Organ Donation

On June 25, 2025, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) held its Annual Meeting, where it recognized two exceptional leaders in the organ procurement community, Suzanne Conrad and Bruce Nicely, with the prestigious 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. This accolade is reserved for individuals who have made significant, long-lasting contributions to organ donation and transplantation, helping to advance AOPO's mission of saving and improving lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Suzanne Conrad: A Trailblazer in Donation

Suzanne Conrad, the CEO of Iowa Donor Network, has devoted over 40 years to the field of organ procurement. Her career began at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut, where she served as a cardiothoracic surgery nurse and transplant coordinator. In 1985, she joined Southwest Organ Bank, which is now known as Southwest Transplant Alliance, taking on leadership roles that spanned education, marketing, and development. For nearly three decades, she has led the Iowa Donor Network, facilitating significant growth and enhancing services, particularly in tissue recovery. Under her leadership, the organization has seen a marked increase in both organ and tissue donors, as well as greater support for donor families.

An active participant in AOPO, Conrad served as its president from 2009 to 2010 and continues to influence the organization as a member of the AOPO Foundation Board and the Strategic Planning Committee. Her impact extends beyond AOPO; she holds leadership positions with various national organizations, including the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), and the North American Transplant Coordinators Organization (NATCO).

Steve Miller, AOPO's CEO, praises Conrad as a visionary leader, stating, "Her personal experience as a living kidney donor highlights her unwavering commitment to saving and improving lives."

Bruce Nicely: A Leader in Donation Optimization

Bruce Nicely has also made substantial contributions to the world of organ and tissue donation over his 35-year career. Beginning as a Donation Coordinator at LifeNet Health in Virginia, he later held clinical leadership positions at HonorBridge in North Carolina. Since 2011, he has been with Gift of Life Michigan, where he serves as the Vice President of Donation Optimization. Nicely's notable achievements include establishing one of the nation's first donor recovery centers and spearheading operational enhancements, particularly in donation after circulatory death (DCD) practices that have improved overall organ donation outcomes.

A recognized voice in the national sphere, Nicely has actively engaged with AOPO, serving on both the Tissue and Procurement Councils and chairing the Annual Meeting in 2018. He is currently involved with the AOPO ACIN Task Force and represents the organization in the ASTS Procurement Training Work Group. His research contributions are widely acknowledged, having presented at various prestigious forums and played a pivotal role in modernizing standards for the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).

AOPO's CEO notes, "Nicely's enduring collaboration with AOPO and his national partners underscores his dedication to innovation and the cultivation of caring donor practices."

The Significance of the Lifetime Achievement Award

The AOPO Lifetime Achievement Award stands as one of the highest honors within the organ procurement community. It acknowledges individuals whose outstanding work has made a discernible impact on organ, eye, and tissue donation. The recognition bestowed on Suzanne Conrad and Bruce Nicely signifies not only their exceptional leadership qualities but also their relentless pursuit of excellence within the field.

About AOPO

The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) is a not-for-profit trade association focused on advancing organ donation and transplantation in the United States. Founded in 1984, AOPO champions the cause of organ donation, coordinating efforts to improve the donation process while collaborating closely with key stakeholders. The organization envisions a future where every potential opportunity for donation translates into lives saved. For further details, please visit www.aopo.org.

Recognizing the crucial advancements in the field, AOPO's annual awards serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to ensure that organ donation is prioritized and supported across the nation.