IOPO®: Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, Inc.

IOPO History

Celebrating over 20 years of hope and healing.

IOPO Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Indiana

History of the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization

1987

  • Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, Inc.(IOPO) forms as a result of the merging of organ procurement programs from Indiana University Medical Center and Methodist Hospital of Indiana.
  • Lynn Driver & Larry Lloyd were among IOPO's first employees
  • Diana Clark named first CEO
  • Dr's. Charles Carter, Sr. and Ronald Filo are IOPO's first Medical Directors

1988

  • IOPO performs its first organ donor, a 19-year-old male, on July 1, at Parkview Hospital; heart, kidneys and liver are transplanted
  • IOPO is certified by Health Care Finance Administration

1990

  • The Northeast Indiana office in Fort Wayne is opened
  • IOPO has less than 20 employees

1992 -1993

  • The Southern Indiana office in Evansville is opened.
  • IOPO's Public Education department is formed and Volunteer program is formed

1994

  • IOPO is accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations

1995

  • A single system for all donation referrals in the IOPO service area is created – Indiana Donation Alliance Foundation (IDAF) - Now called Donate Life Indiana

1996

  • IOPO establishes a toll free public information line to respond to questions about donation
  • IOPO's Professional Service Department is formed

1998

  • Lynn Driver is named CEO

1999

  • Indianapolis office moves to North Pennsylvania Street from Indiana Avenue to accommodate the organization's growth
  • IOPO's Tissue and Eye Recovery Department is formed and performs its first tissue recovery

2000

  • IOPO Foundation is formed
  • IOPO offers new educational program, Chalk One Up for Life featuring "Christopher" the donation story of Chris Nixon

2001

  • Indiana Legislature created first person consent – Indiana's Donor Choice Law
  • IOPO Foundation has its first Treasure Hunt for Life fundraiser

2002

  • IOPO's Family Service, Aftercare and Quality Departments are formed

2003

  • IOPO facilitate its first 8-organ donor
  • IOPO is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks
  • IOPO joins the National Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative

2004

  • Donation After Cardiac Death program begins with first donor in September

2005

  • IOPO owns its first building in Fort Wayne
  • 170 donors is Indiana's best year for organ donation

2006

  • IOPO's Vital Link Call Center is formed
  • IOPO joins the National Donor Designation Collaborative
  • IOPO forms new research department, Life Sciences

2007

  • Lynn Driver elected Associate Counselor in Region 10 for the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
  • IOPO employs 92 people across the state

2008

  • IOPO celebrates 20 years of hope and healing

click here for the "IOPO 20 Years" historical timeline poster