American Society of Transplantation (AST)

Educational and special interest programs - ast's educational programs provide a forum for exchange and dissemination of scientific information in organ Transplantation. Ast holds conferences, workshops, and other in-person and virtual meetings to exchange data about the latest research and treatment outcomes while giving attendees an opportunity to interact with colleagues. Online education activities allow transplant professionals to access important information in an on-demand format. Ast offers a number of live and on-demand activities annually.

Advocacy - ast has been instrumental in assisting federal and state public policy decision-makers in crafting and formation of a variety of legislative regulatory initiatives relating to the interests of the transplant professional community in all solid organ Transplantation specialties including advancing ast's patient-focused advocacy program.

Research grants and career development awards - research and recognizing member development are among ast's highest priorities. Annually the ast provides funding for promising research that is intended to advance the field of Transplantation. The Society also supports its members through 6 to 10 career development awards that are awarded each year.

Fellowship training and other - to support training of the next generation of transplant nephrologists, the ast transplant nephrology fellowship training accreditation program accredits institutions that have developed programs to provide specialty renal transplant training. As a result of the program's approval by the organ procurement transplant network (optn), graduates of accredited renal transplant fellowship programs are qualified to lead optn approved renal transplant programs. The goal of ast's accreditation program is to provide a basis for the standardization of transplant training and a method of uniform documentation of education for those who wish to lead renal transplant programs with the goal of achieving the best outcomes for patients.