IOPO History
We serve 86 of Indiana's 92 counties with offices across the State.
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