Throughout 2025, Midwest Transplant Network experienced growth, innovation and milestones. We are humbled by the generosity of donor heroes and their families. The decision to say yes to organ, eye and tissue donation makes it possible to give hope and share life. For the second time in our history, MTN achieved more than 1,000 organ transplants in a year.

In 2025, MTN was grateful to be part of creating a legacy for 371 donor heroes who, in turn, saved lives through 1,080 organ transplants.

We value our collaboration with hospital partners and professionals. The commitment to caring for patients as they begin their donation journeys is remarkable.

MTN improved the ways we connect donor hero families with transplant recipients through letters by offering digital and traditional mail options. Now, letters can be submitted through an online form, a reflection of the current era. And we continued hosting donor family events at the Kansas City Zoo and Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita, Hope for the Holidays, Celebration of Heroes and more.

MTN’s Laboratory Services earned outstanding results for exceptional standards and excellence from a review by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI). For three consecutive inspection reviews, MTN’s Lab had zero deficiencies.

In more great news for the MTN Lab, Dr. David Partlow, Associate HLA Laboratory Director, earned the distinction of Fellow of the American College of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics F(ACHI). Dr. Partlow is part of an exclusive group — less than 200 people in the world with the prestigious title.

The annual Donate Life Legacy Walk celebrated the gift of life with 1,800 people — donor hero families, transplant recipients, advocates and many more. It’s always an evening of joy, remembrance and making new memories.

MTN maintained a Tier 1A rating as a high-performing organ procurement organization based on performance data reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Midwest Transplant Network is No. 4 in organ donation and No. 7 in transplantation rates among OPOs in the country. CMS began its reporting four years ago, and MTN consistently ranks among the top 10 each year.

Critical Care Donation Symposia were held in Kansas City, Wichita and Columbia. We provided education to more than 500 critical care nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals who chose to enhance their knowledge of organ, eye and tissue donation.

Sadly, in late November, we mourned the loss of a dear friend and MTN founding board member, Dr. Tom Crouch. It was our sincere honor to share in an Honor Walk in celebration of his life, and we are deeply humbled to help share his gift of tissue donation.

Finally, I announced my retirement from Midwest Transplant Network! I started my career as a critical care nurse and joined MTN 35 years ago. I grew into leadership roles and helped MTN become a national leader in organ procurement. I’m grateful for the opportunity to care for people, and I feel confident about the future of MTN. My retirement is effective July 3, 2026.

Thank you for the meaningful relationships with Midwest Transplant Network, and for creating a legacy for donor heroes and their families. Our shared mission guides the work we do together to give hope to people who are waiting for organ, eye and tissue donation.

With gratitude,
Jan Finn, RN, MSN
President & Chief Executive Officer
Midwest Transplant Network