AST Background Info

The American Society of Transplantation (AST) was founded in 1982 and is an organization of transplant professionals dedicated to research, education, advocacy and patient care in transplantation. The Society comprises more than 3,000 transplant physicians, surgeons and allied health professionals.

Mission Statement

The American Society of Transplantation is dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, organ donation, and service to the community.

AST Publications

• AST Lectures in Transplantation
• AST e-Newsletter
• American Journal of Transplantation – Cosponsored with the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)
• AST Conversations in Transplantation – a series of recorded interviews featuring experts in the field of transplantation

Public Policy

AST maintains a government relations team of lobbyists in Washington who walk the halls of Congress on a daily basis educating Congressional decision-makers, and work closely with AST’s Public Policy Committee.

• Position Statements on key transplantation issues
• Quarterly Public Policy Committee Fly-ins to Capitol Hill to educate Congress
• AST Testimonies and Hearings
• AST Transplantation Briefings on Capitol Hill
• AST Comments, Recommendations and Response Letters
• Promotion of Special Projects such as Employee Leave and Organ Donation Programs

Meetings

• Annual Meeting: American Transplant Congress (ATC) (joint meeting with ASTS)
• Winter Symposium: Annual single-topic meeting
• Fellows Symposium: Annual symposium targeting fellows just entering a transplantation training program or who are interested in transplantation medicine
• Distinguished Fellows Research Forum: An arena where trainees and fellows present their original transplantation research
• Consensus Conferences: Approximately two consensus conferences held each year to formulate AST positions on important, scientific issues
• Transplantation: The Year in Review: Presented in two different locations on two different dates, offering a review of the most recent developments in the field of solid organ transplantation including a review of science presented at the annual American Transplant Congress (ATC)
• Transplant Nephrology Core Curriculum E-course: An electronic review of knowledge deemed essential for the care of kidney transplant recipients, endorsed by the American Society of Nephrology
• Clinical Trials Symposium: Biennial meeting focusing on issues related to clinical trials

Contact Information

Bill Applegate, Public Policy
AST National Office