Applications Open for Pepe Buitrón Scholarships – DCD Course
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Pepe Buitrón Scholarships to attend the upcoming Controlled Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) course, organized by the DTI Foundation.
These scholarships aim to support healthcare professionals in enhancing their knowledge and skills in the field of organ and tissue donation, with the goal of strengthening transplant programs worldwide.
📅 Application deadline: September 15, 2025
Selected candidates will receive a scholarship covering the full tuition fee of the course. Evaluation will be based on professional experience, personal motivation, and commitment to improving the donation system in their professional environment.
ℹ️ More information on eligibility and the application process: https://dtifoundation.com/scholarships-pepe-butiron/
DTI Foundation delivers its first TPM course in Romania to boost organ donation
Bucharest, June 2025 – For the first time, DTI Foundation has brought its internationally acclaimed Transplant Procurement Management (TPM) course to Romania, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its organ donation and transplantation system. More than 40 Romanian healthcare professionals participated in the intensive training, which was led by Dr. Chloë Ballesté, Medical Director, and Carmen Blanco, Head of Training at DTI Foundation.
The course aimed to empower hospital professionals involved in donor identification and management, addressing the country's critical need to improve its donation rate – currently at only 4.2 donors per million inhabitants. Through hands-on training, simulations, and interdisciplinary discussions, the participants acquired practical tools to enhance donation practices within their institutions.
“Romania has tremendous potential. Our goal is to equip professionals with best international practices to make real change happen,” said Dr. Ballesté at the course opening.
The course garnered national media attention, with TVR Info and News.ro describing it as "the most advanced training" in the field of donation and transplantation to ever take place in Romania. Media reports highlighted the country’s urgent need for more accredited hospitals and structural improvements, given the thousands still waiting for life-saving transplants.
🌍 Advancing Transplant Innovation: DTI Co-Hosts the First “DCD in Action” Advanced NRP Training Course in San Diego
Barcelona / San Diego, June 2025 – Shared knowledge drives progress, and in the field of donation and transplantation, every technical advancement can translate into lives saved. With this in mind, DTI Foundation had the privilege of co-hosting the inaugural “DCD in Action: Advanced Training in Normothermic Regional Perfusion” course, held at the UC San Diego Center for the Future of Surgery.
Organized in collaboration with the REIMAGINE Center at UC San Diego, and with key support from Paragonix Technologies, this groundbreaking course marked a significant milestone in advanced training on Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) in the context of Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD). This emerging technique holds great promise for optimizing organ viability and improving clinical outcomes in transplantation.
A Space for Global Exchange and Clinical Excellence
During the training, experts from around the world came together to share insights, analyze clinical cases, and deepen their understanding of NRP. Representing DTI Foundation, our team actively contributed to the course’s development, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to global transplant innovation.
“These encounters not only raise the technical bar but also strengthen international cooperation in an area where each improvement can make the difference between life and death,” remarked one of DTI’s participants.
A Partnership for the Future
We extend our sincere gratitude to Aleah Brubaker, Gabriel Schnickel, Anji Wall, and Martin Sellers for their vision and dedication in making this initiative possible—and for joining our growing DTI international network.
This event is only the beginning. In a world where medical innovation knows no borders, collaboration remains key to transforming the future of transplantation.
DTI Foundation participates in the Saudi Transplant Congress 2025 – 1st SCOT Annual Meeting
DTI Foundation proudly took part in the Saudi Transplant Congress 2025 – 1st SCOT Annual Meeting, a landmark event for the transplant community in the Middle East.
Our colleagues Dr. Brian Álvarez, Dr. David Paredes-Zapata, and Dr. Marco Sacchi represented the foundation at this international congress, sharing their expertise and commitment to improving global organ donation and transplantation systems.
The discussions held — particularly around Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) — reflect the growing momentum in the region to strengthen transplant programs. The event served as a clear example of how international collaboration and knowledge sharing can drive real progress in global health.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our representatives for their leadership and dedication, and we congratulate the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) and Dr. Talal Al Goufi for the outstanding organization of a congress that fostered innovation, collaboration, and shared action.
Together, we make organ donation possible — everywhere.
Training Case Managers for Organ and Tissue Transplants: An International Health Innovation Project
As part of the MODHS-MOT Case Managers Development Program, DTI Foundation has launched an international initiative aimed at transforming the military hospitals of the Saudi Ministry of Defense into centers of excellence for organ and tissue transplants.
This one-year training program began in September 2024 and will run until September 2025. The main focus is to train healthcare professionals (such as nurses and radiology technicians), while also involving non-healthcare professionals, ensuring an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to the care of transplant patients.
Currently, the program is in its second phase, which includes specialized sessions on immunological aspects, psychosocial care, patient education, and organ-specific care. These modules are designed to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of the transplant process, from patient evaluation to postoperative follow-up.
This program is the result of a strategic collaboration between DTI Foundation, the Saudi Ministry of Defense, and Eight Eye of Training, and is aimed at significantly improving the quality of organ transplant care, both in Saudi Arabia and internationally.
The training of Case Managers in this field is essential to improve the coordination and follow-up of transplant patients, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the transplant system. As we advance in this project, our goal remains the same: to continue working to improve organ donation and transplantation globally.
With initiatives like this, DTI Foundation reaffirms its commitment to healthcare education, knowledge exchange, and the continuous improvement of transplant systems worldwide.
PEPE BUITRÓN GRANT: Today we introduce the three new scholarship holders!
Finally, after a through selection process, we have chosen three students from all the applicants. We want to thank all participants and emphasize that this selection is an example of DTI Foundation and the Pepe Buitrón Scholarship’s commitment to inclusion, training healthcare professionals worldwide to improve health systems and save lives through the best practices and international standards.
🌟 We are excited to introduce the 3 scholarship holders of this edition! 👩⚕️👨⚕️👩⚕️🩺🏥
🎓Mary Paola del Carmen Morocho España (Ecuador)
🎓Magdalena Zuñiga Yudiche (Mexico)
🎓Luiz Gustavo Torres Dias da Cruz (Brazil)
✨ Follow us to learn more about them in the upcoming days!
The Pepe Buitrón Scholarship: Application opens July 15th
The Pepe Buitrón Scholarship is an initiative designed to honor the legacy and memory of Dr. José Manuel García Buitrón, affectionately known as Pepe Buitrón. He was a pioneer and a prominent professional in the field of organ donation and transplantation, Dr. Buitrón was committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with the rest of the world. He was a generous, friendly, compromised and optimistic person who believed in equity, fraternity, and the betterment of humankind.
Dr. Pepe Buitrón was a founding member and Vice President of DTI Foundation. A transplant urologist and former director of the Oficina de Coordinación de Trasplantes and Hospital Manager of Complejo Hospitalario de A Coruña, Spain, Hospital Canalejo, he left an impact on the medical field and the international community.
For 30 years, Dr. Buitrón collaborated with DTI Foundation, undertaking training and cooperation work in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, the Philippines, and Cuba, among many others. He served as an inspiration and role model for all members of the international community involved in donation and transplantation.
The Pepe Buitrón Scholarship
The scholarship is an important initiative that aims to provide training opportunities to healthcare professionals who wish to expand their knowledge in the field of organ donation and transplantation. By offering these opportunities, the scholarship enables these professionals to improve practices and enhance the quality of life in their respective communities.
Requirements and Selection Criteria
- Who can apply?: Professionals in the field of organ donation and transplantation.
- What activities are eligible?: Curso Superior Internacional en Donación y Trasplante de Órganos y Tejidos.
- How can you apply?: Submit a motivation letter and a CV including personal aspirations, the country’s situation, and information on donation activity and commitment to the community.
- How much will they cover?: Course registration fee and accommodation during the course.
In conclusion, the Pepe Buitrón Scholarship embodies the spirit of no borders, personal initiative, openness to change, adventure and passion. It reflects DTI Foundation's commitment to the international community and the vision of Dr. Pepe Buitrón. Through this scholarship, we continue to support and nurture future leaders in the field of organ donation and transplantation, just as Dr. Buitrón did during his lifetime.
You can read the full scholarship requirements here.
Application process will open on July 15th.
DTI and the SCOT collaborated in the organization of two courses in Organ Donation across Saudi Arabia
The Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI), in collaboration with the Saudi Center of Organ Donation (SCOT), recently organized two training courses in the cities of Riyadh and Abha. This initiative, held this week, is part of DTI's ongoing collaboration with SCOT, aimed at enhancing the deceased organ donation program in Saudi Arabia.
There were 43 participants in Riyadh and 70 in Abha. The courses offered participants to gain valuable insights into organ donation and transplantation by sharing international best practices from countries such as Italy, Belgium, Brazil, France, and Spain.
We sincerely thank King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh and Aseer Central Hospital in Abha for their invaluable collaboration and the facilities to conduct these courses successfully.
We commend SCOT's efforts to improve the deceased donation program in the country and eagerly anticipate the positive outcomes of this collaboration in the near future.
Success during the 28th edition of the TPM Advanced International Training Course
The 28th edition of the Transplant Procurement Management Advanced International Training Course took place in Barcelona from November 6th to November 10th, 2023. This has been the first edition conducted face-to-face after the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have counted with 66 participants from 19 countries. This international gathering of healthcare professionals allowed participants to learn and share experiences while creating an international network.
The course's success was underpinned by collaborative teamwork in small groups, interactive workshops and the guidance of an esteemed international faculty with expertise in the field of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
We wish all participants the best in their careers, and we hope the course will help them advance in organ donation and transplantation in their countries. It has been an honour to have you in this course and work with your potential and enthusiasm towards the same goal.
7th International Workshop on DCD donors: Uncontrolled & Controlled
The 7th International Workshop on Uncontrolled & Controlled donors after circulatory death ended today. This course had 31 participants from over 10 nationalities.
After some online sessions guided by international experts in DCD, participants and faculty gathered in La Coruña, Spain, for in-person sessions. From October 26 until October 28, healthcare professionals actively participated in different workshops to learn about uncontrolled and controlled DCD. These workshops took place in the Technological Training Centre (CTF) of the University Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC).
In the recent years donation after cardio-circulatory death (DCD) donors, either from an uncontrolled or a controlled DCD program, have been a focus of intense interest in the transplant community, based on the high potential they must increase the pool of organ donors.
During this course professionals were trained in DCD procedures, including organ recovery using normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) technique and ex-situ machine perfusion. Thanks to EBERS sponsorship, kidney and liver ex-situ machine perfusion was demonstrated.
