History

Originally founded in 1973 as the Midwest Organ Bank, the organization has provided transplant and procurement services to transplant centers and hospitals throughout the region for nearly 4 decades.

Midwest Organ Bank was one of the first independent organ procurement organization in the country. In addition to providing organ procurement and histocompatability testing, in 1990 the organization responded to community requests to provide tissue procurement services. Then, added eye banking services in 1998 upon acquiring the Kansas City Eye Bank. A communications center was added in 1999 to respond to referral calls when a death occurred in all contracted hospitals.

To more accurately reflect the changing scope of its services while retaining a link to the past, the name was changed to Midwest Transplant Network in 1999.

In 2008, MTN opened a Tissue Recovery Suite in Westwood, Kansas to surgically recover tissues for many life-enhancing applications. This state-of-the-art suite maximizes the benefits of the donor’s gift through a number of improved processes and greater efficiency. By removing time and logistical barriers, MTN honors donor’s wishes and helps those in desperate need of tissue transplants.

The result of 35 years of life-saving work is seen every day in the region’s hospitals, in communities MTN serves and in the recipients whose lives have been enriched because of the generosity of someone else.

MTN remains more committed than ever to continuing our pioneering efforts in the field of transplantation, and together, saving lives.