The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) proudly celebrates Black History Month, a time to reflect on the achievements and contributions of Black individuals in our communities while reaffirming our commitment to advancing equity in transplantation. From Paul Taylor, MD, PhD who helped Tom Starzl, MD, PhD establish liver transplantation as a surgical possibility, and Sam Koontz, MD who was a pioneer in kidney transplant to those who have followed in their footsteps, Black Americans have made critical contributions to the field of transplantation from the beginning. 

We also honor the life of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away this month.  Rev. Jackson revolutionized political activism and was a key figure in the civil rights movement.  As his family has said, “[he] was a servant-leader....to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world...His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”  

We are upholding Rev. Jackson's values by fighting for equity in transplantation. Black patients in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of end-stage kidney disease, heart disease, and liver disease, yet historically have faced barriers to timely referral, evaluation, waitlisting, and transplantation. Black transplant professionals, surgeons, physicians, coordinators, nurses, researchers, and advocates have made profound contributions to advancing science, patient care, and community engagement, often while navigating underrepresentation within the medical workforce. Recognizing these realities compels us not only to reflect, but to act. 

Achieving fairness requires continuous action, vigilance, advocacy, and collaboration to ensure that every patient and professional in the transplant community is represented and has the opportunity to thrive. As we celebrate Black History Month, our commitment to these principles needs to be stronger than ever. 

We are also pleased to highlight our Access to Transplantation Award, which honors individuals and initiatives that actively foster diversity and advance equity in transplantation. This award reinforces our ongoing commitment to building an inclusive transplant community and addressing the challenges faced by underrepresented groups. 

Furthering our commitment, ASTS continues to invest in research through the Socioeconomic and Racial Disparity Grant, providing $50,000 in funding to support studies focused on eliminating health disparities in transplantation. This initiative acknowledges the profound impact of socioeconomic and racial inequities on transplant outcomes and underscores our determination to drive meaningful change through research and advocacy. 

Let us not only honor past contributions but also work together to build a future where equity and fairness are at the core of everything we do. 

The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) proudly celebrates Black History Month, a time to reflect on the achievements and contributions of Black individuals in our communities while reaffirming our commitment to advancing equity in transplantation. From Paul Taylor, MD, PhD who helped Tom Starzl, MD, PhD establish liver transplantation as a surgical possibility, and Sam Koontz, MD who was a pioneer in kidney transplant to those who have followed in their footsteps, Black Americans have made critical contributions to the field of transplantation from the beginning. 

We also honor the life of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away this month.  Rev. Jackson revolutionized political activism and was a key figure in the civil rights movement.  As his family has said, “[he] was a servant-leader....to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world...His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”  

We are upholding Rev. Jackson's values by fighting for equity in transplantation. Black patients in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of end-stage kidney disease, heart disease, and liver disease, yet historically have faced barriers to timely referral, evaluation, waitlisting, and transplantation. Black transplant professionals, surgeons, physicians, coordinators, nurses, researchers, and advocates have made profound contributions to advancing science, patient care, and community engagement, often while navigating underrepresentation within the medical workforce. Recognizing these realities compels us not only to reflect, but to act. 

Achieving fairness requires continuous action, vigilance, advocacy, and collaboration to ensure that every patient and professional in the transplant community is represented and has the opportunity to thrive. As we celebrate Black History Month, our commitment to these principles needs to be stronger than ever. 

We are also pleased to highlight our Access to Transplantation Award, which honors individuals and initiatives that actively foster diversity and advance equity in transplantation. This award reinforces our ongoing commitment to building an inclusive transplant community and addressing the challenges faced by underrepresented groups. 

Furthering our commitment, ASTS continues to invest in research through the Socioeconomic and Racial Disparity Grant, providing $50,000 in funding to support studies focused on eliminating health disparities in transplantation. This initiative acknowledges the profound impact of socioeconomic and racial inequities on transplant outcomes and underscores our determination to drive meaningful change through research and advocacy. 

Let us not only honor past contributions but also work together to build a future where equity and fairness are at the core of everything we do. 

The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) proudly celebrates Black History Month, a time to reflect on the achievements and contributions of Black individuals in our communities while reaffirming our commitment to advancing equity in transplantation. From Paul Taylor, MD, PhD who helped Tom Starzl, MD, PhD establish liver transplantation as a surgical possibility, and Sam Koontz, MD who was a pioneer in kidney transplant to those who have followed in their footsteps, Black Americans have made critical contributions to the field of transplantation from the beginning. 

We also honor the life of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away this month.  Rev. Jackson revolutionized political activism and was a key figure in the civil rights movement.  As his family has said, “[he] was a servant-leader....to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world...His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”  

We are upholding Rev. Jackson's values by fighting for equity in transplantation. Black patients in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of end-stage kidney disease, heart disease, and liver disease, yet historically have faced barriers to timely referral, evaluation, waitlisting, and transplantation. Black transplant professionals, surgeons, physicians, coordinators, nurses, researchers, and advocates have made profound contributions to advancing science, patient care, and community engagement, often while navigating underrepresentation within the medical workforce. Recognizing these realities compels us not only to reflect, but to act. 

Achieving fairness requires continuous action, vigilance, advocacy, and collaboration to ensure that every patient and professional in the transplant community is represented and has the opportunity to thrive. As we celebrate Black History Month, our commitment to these principles needs to be stronger than ever. 

We are also pleased to highlight our Access to Transplantation Award, which honors individuals and initiatives that actively foster diversity and advance equity in transplantation. This award reinforces our ongoing commitment to building an inclusive transplant community and addressing the challenges faced by underrepresented groups. 

Furthering our commitment, ASTS continues to invest in research through the Socioeconomic and Racial Disparity Grant, providing $50,000 in funding to support studies focused on eliminating health disparities in transplantation. This initiative acknowledges the profound impact of socioeconomic and racial inequities on transplant outcomes and underscores our determination to drive meaningful change through research and advocacy. 

Let us not only honor past contributions but also work together to build a future where equity and fairness are at the core of everything we do.