ANN ARBOR, MI—

Dorrie Dils, an Ohio native and 25-year veteran in the donation world, takes over this week as chief executive officer of Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s federally designated organ and tissue donor program.

“Organ procurement has become part of my fabric, my passion,” Dils said. “I have been deeply humbled to be part of something so extraordinary in every way, but especially to be in such an exciting scientific area of medicine, while remembering and honoring the gifts of donors and their families.”

Dils comes to Gift of Life with more than 25 years of organ procurement experience at Lifeline of Ohio, where she served in an array of positions, most recently as chief clinical executive. She began her career as a nurse in the trauma and surgical intensive care units, holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration and has been active in national groups, including the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, the United Network for Organ Sharing and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

Atsushi Yoshida, M.D., president of the Gift of Life Governing Board of Directors, called Dils’ selection the culmination of an extensive national search that included input from Gift of Life leadership and staff, the community and partner organizations.

“We are confident that Dorrie Dils will do an excellent job as Gift of Life’s next CEO,” Dr. Yoshida said. “Her experience, vision and enthusiasm set her apart from a very, very strong field of candidates.”

Dils succeeds Richard Pietroski, who spent nearly 33 years at Gift of Life and was CEO since 2008. Dils becomes just the fourth chief executive officer of Gift of Life, which was founded in 1971.

“Gift of Life is a longstanding, established organization that has served the state of Michigan well,” Dils said. “It has a highly dedicated, highly skilled staff and the organization is a national and international leader. I’m excited about all of those aspects.”

She said one of her primary responsibilities will be to unify partners and to keep everyone focused on the mission. “I like to bring people to the same place of understanding, so we can all move forward together.” Dils added: “To know that in some small way I have been part of saving others’ lives through transplantation is what fuels me to come to work each and every day.”

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