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President's Blog

Reflecting on the Past Year

May 26, 2020 Posted by eblumberg

As I write this last blog post, I find myself reflecting on my year as AST President. Although the last few months have been exceptionally challenging, the opportunity to serve as President has been extremely rewarding, and definitely a highlight of my career.

I am so grateful to all of you who volunteered your time to the Society over the last year, especially during the tumultuous past few months. Even in less chaotic times, it takes a village for us to accomplish all that we do at the AST and to support its programs. The greatest strength of our society is you – our members –...

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AST COVID-19 Update

March 16, 2020 Posted by eblumberg

We find ourselves in unprecedented times as we face the first pandemic in more than 100 years. COVID-19 is challenging us all both personally and professionally. We are all working many hours to care for our patients and address the needs of our families amidst the chaos that new challenges can bring.

COVID-19 Resources for Professionals and for the Transplant Community

The AST’s COVID-19 Task Force, including representation from the IDCOP, has been working tirelessly to develop and update resource documents for both transplant professionals and the transplant community....

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Happy New Year
January 07, 2020 Posted by eblumberg

It is hard to believe that we have entered the 2020s. I sincerely hope the next decade is filled with progressive advancements in transplantation – the fruit of so much hard work by the entire transplant community.

Ten years ago, the Society surpassed 3,000 members for the first time, and only 7 Communities of Practice (COPs) existed.

Today, the AST has over 4,000 members and 16 COPs. Our Society has expanded immensely and has become more professionally diverse. Over the last decade, we have also introduced the patient community to the AST – starting with a Power2Save...

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The 2019 Donation Derby
October 17, 2019 Posted by eblumberg

It is that time of the year again! The COP Donation Derby has officially started, allowing our Communities of Practice (COPs) to engage with their members and fundraise for important initiatives and projects.

The AST’s COPs do incredible work and bring great ideas to the table. While it is not possible for the AST to fund every project, event, or initiative that a COP suggests, the Donation Derby provides an opportunity for the COPs to reach their potential each year.

What is the Donation Derby?

From now to...

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The Fellows Experience: Insights from Previous Attendees
July 29, 2019 Posted by eblumberg

The 2019 Fellows Symposium will be here before we know it. On September 27-29, we will head to Grapevine, TX for this exclusive meeting that focuses on enriching the careers of young professionals in the field of transplantation.

To offer further insights on the meeting, I have invited past Fellows attendees, Arpita Basu, MD, MPH and Nissreen Elfadawy MD to write a guest blog post about their experiences. Since attending the Fellows Symposium, both Arpita and Nissreen have remained active with the AST and continue to develop their careers.

If you are a trainee who is...

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2019-2020 Strategic Priorities

June 26, 2019 Posted by eblumberg

It was an honor to be elected AST President on June 3, 2019. After over 20 years of being an AST member, I am thrilled to have the privilege of leading our Society.

The AST is made up of members from diverse specialties and backgrounds, but we all have the same final goal – to improve the lives of our current and future patients.

As I begin this year as President, I would like to highlight some of my biggest goals for the year.

Expanding the opportunities for our diverse constituencies to realize their potential

As a founding member of the first COP, I am...

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A Look Inside AST’s Strategic Plan
March 27, 2019 Posted by dmckay

In Spring 2018, the AST distributed an online survey to its membership to help us better understand how to meet the needs of our Society. The membership responses helped us form a new 1-3-year strategic plan.

The AST Board of Directors, along with the leaders of our 16 Communities of Practice (COPs), reviewed the survey results and incorporated member feedback into the Society’s new plan.

The final plan was completed and approved at the February board meeting in Phoenix, AZ.

Notable changes to our strategic plan included an increased commitment to the transplant...

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9 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss CEoT 2019
January 16, 2019 Posted by dmckay

There are countless reasons to attend our 7th annual Cutting Edge in Transplantation meeting in Phoenix, AZ. At this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with your colleagues at the beautiful Arizona Biltmore resort and enjoy spectacular views and beautiful weather. Preceding the meeting, the Sensitization in Transplantation: Assessment of Risk (STAR) meeting will also be held.

CEoT 2019 will provide an...

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Another Year Under Our Belt
December 17, 2018 Posted by dmckay

We began our second year as a self-managed organization in January. Before January 2017, the AST was managed by an association management company that handled our staffing, accounting, and technical support needs.

With only two years under our belt as a self-managed organization, we have accomplished so much within the various areas of the Society. The AST had a big year in 2017, but 2018 also came with a number of highlights.

Communities of Practice

In January, the AST introduced its...

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Giving Season 2018
November 05, 2018 Posted by rformica

Written by AST Secretary, Richard Formica

 

This year, two leading charity evaluators, Charity Navigator and GuideStar, awarded AST with their highest rating. This designation assures donors that the Society is operating with the transparency, commitment to accountability, and fiscal responsibility that is required of top-tier charitable organizations. It also...

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