VIENNA, Va. — July 22, 2016 —
On Wednesday June 22, 2016 the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations recognized the achievements of Burton Mattice of Dallas, Texas by presenting him with the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented at the Association’s 33rd Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed upon an individual employed by an organ procurement organization (OPO) who has made substantial contributions to the goals and ideals of the field of organ, eye and tissue donation over a sustained period of at least two decades, and been in an OPO senior leadership position for a minimum of 10 years. “With close to 40 years of dedicated service in the OPO community, this candidate certainly meets these requirements, and more,” said Elling Eidbo, chief executive officer of AOPO. “Burt is passionate about his work and committed to saving lives through donation and transplantation.”
Mr. Mattice began working for OPOs in 1980 as manager of organ recovery for the Greater Miami Valley Organ Procurement Organization. He founded the Gift of Life Fund, co-founded the Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) Miami Valley Chapter, and continues to actively serve on the councils and committees of several national organ donation organizations. Mr. Mattice is currently the chief operating officer at Southwest Transplant Alliance and serves as president of the American Board of Transplant and Certification.