Washington, D.C. — February 13th, 2026— Leaders from the transplant community joined policymakers at a congressional briefing hosted by the American Society of Transplantation (AST) to spotlight urgent challenges in transplant medicine, particularly the unmet needs in long-term immunosuppressive therapy.
The session featured compelling testimony from Zachary Sutton, DHA, MS, MSPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, FACHDM, an altruistic kidney donor and Carolina Nephrology Transplant Coordinator, whose personal experience underscored the profound impact of chronic immunosuppression on quality of life. Sutton shared firsthand insights into the daily realities faced by transplant patients, highlighting the need for more effective, safer therapies and greater federal support for research and innovation.
Organ transplantation has saved thousands of lives, yet long-term outcomes remain constrained by side effects and limitations of current immunosuppressive regimens. The briefing brought together clinicians, patients, and advocates to educate members of Congress about these issues and advance policy solutions to accelerate therapeutic progress.
“We must refocus our national research efforts on improving life after transplant,” said Sutton. His testimony aimed to ensure that the patient voice remains central to policymaking and federal funding priorities in transplant science.
The AST continues to work with lawmakers and stakeholders to champion policies that support innovation, enhance patient outcomes, and expand access to transformative transplant therapies.
