9th Advanced TPM Course: Commitment, Training and Excellence in Organ Donation and Transplantation
Last week, we proudly held a new edition of the Advanced Transplant Procurement Management, TPM Course, bringing together highly committed professionals dedicated to strengthening organ donation and transplantation systems.
Over several intensive days, the course combined updated theoretical content with hands-on workshops focused on developing key competencies across the entire donation pathway. From donor identification and evaluation to clinical and organizational coordination, the programme promoted a comprehensive, evidence-based and system-oriented approach.
One of the greatest strengths of this edition was, once again, the exchange of experiences among participants. The diversity of professional backgrounds and healthcare settings enriched discussions, strengthened collaborative learning and highlighted that sustainable progress in donation systems depends on well-trained professionals working in coordinated teams.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants. Their active engagement, commitment to excellence and willingness to continue learning are the true driving force behind the TPM programme. Every reflection shared and every experience discussed contributes to building stronger, more resilient and patient-centered systems.
We also acknowledge the institutional collaboration that makes this training possible and supports the continued development of high-level professional capacity in the field of donation and transplantation.
The Advanced TPM Course is more than a training programme. It is a professional community committed to improving processes, strengthening capacities and ultimately increasing opportunities for life.
We continue moving forward together.
9th Advanced TPM Course in Portugal: strengthening organ donation and transplantation through training
In January, we held the 9th edition of the Advanced TPM Course in Portugal, in collaboration with the Instituto Português do Sangue e da Transplantação (IPST), Centro de Sangue e da Transplantação do Porto. The course brought together professionals from across the country with a shared goal: to continue strengthening organ donation and transplantation through training, continuous improvement, and coordinated teamwork.
This edition trained 50 participants, combining theoretical sessions with hands-on workshops designed to consolidate key competencies throughout the donation and transplantation pathway. The programme promoted a comprehensive approach to the process, encouraging experience-sharing, applied learning, and stronger collaboration among multidisciplinary teams.
New focus on controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD)
As a key update, the course included a dedicated session and a practical workshop on controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD). This addition reflects our commitment to supporting the development and preparedness of this donation model in Portugal, providing training tools that contribute to its structured and safe implementation.
DTI Foundation would like to thank the IPST, the faculty, and all participants for their dedication, professionalism, and outstanding engagement throughout the course.
TPM in Italy 2025: Strengthening Transplant Systems Through Long-Term Impact
In 2025, the Transplant Procurement Management (TPM) programme in Italy once again demonstrated its strategic importance in strengthening organ donation and transplantation systems nationwide. With a sustained presence across multiple regions, TPM continues to serve as a cornerstone for professional capacity building, directly impacting the quality, efficiency and ethical standards of donation processes.
Throughout the year, TPM courses were delivered across Italy, bringing together hundreds of healthcare professionals involved in donor detection, management and coordination. These training activities not only reinforced technical competencies, but also fostered a shared culture of excellence, collaboration and responsibility within the Italian transplant community.
TPM Italy 2025 in numbers and reach:
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52nd National TPM Course – Pomezia (Rome)
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9th and 10th TPM Campania – Caserta and Salerno
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8th TPM Emilia-Romagna – Bologna
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8th TPM Tuscany – Florence
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3rd TPM Piedmont & Valle d’Aosta – Turin
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5th TPM Puglia – Bari
The impact of these programmes goes beyond the classroom. By strengthening donor management skills and decision-making processes, TPM directly contributes to improved donation outcomes and, ultimately, to saving more lives through transplantation.
This long-standing success is the result of a solid collaboration between Italian institutions and DTI Foundation, built over decades and rooted in shared values of quality, consistency and continuous improvement.
DTI Foundation would like to express its sincere gratitude to Sara Mascarin, Chair of the National TPM Course in Italy and consultant at the Centro Nazionale Trapianti, for her leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to the programme. Special thanks also go to Gabriela Morini, whose essential role in organisation and technical coordination ensures the continuity and excellence of TPM activities year after year.
“El impacte del TPM a Itàlia és una mostra clara de com la formació transforma sistemes i salva vides.”
DTI Foundation remains proud to support TPM in Italy and to contribute to the development of resilient, well-trained transplant systems worldwide.
COTDF Delegation Visits Spain for Training and Knowledge Exchange in Organ Donation
DTI Foundation had the honour of welcoming a delegation from the Chinese Organ Transplantation Development Foundation (COTDF) to Spain as part of their international cooperation and training programme in organ donation and transplantation.
During their stay, the representatives participated in the Transplant Procurement Management (TPM) course, a globally recognised training designed to strengthen knowledge, skills, and ethical practices in the field of organ donation.
The visit also included institutional activities in Barcelona, such as a guided visit to the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, kindly hosted by Dr. David Paredes, to whom we express our sincere gratitude for his time, availability, and insights.
The delegation also met with the Organització Catalana de Trasplantament (OCATT), accompanied by Sònia Oliveras and Maria Barros from DTI Foundation, who coordinated and supported the visit with professionalism and dedication.
These exchanges reaffirm DTI Foundation’s commitment to global cooperation, capacity building, and the promotion of ethical and sustainable systems for organ donation and transplantation.
DTI Foundation warmly thanks all institutions and professionals involved for their collaboration and shared commitment to advancing transplantation worldwide.
🌍30th Edition of the Transplant Procurement Management (TPM): Three Decades of Global Impact
The 30th edition of the Transplant Procurement Management (TPM) course marked a historic milestone for DTI Foundation, gathering professionals from across the world for several unforgettable days of training, collaboration, and inspiration.
Over the years, TPM has become a global reference in the field of organ donation and transplantation education, empowering thousands of healthcare professionals to make a difference in their hospitals, regions, and countries.
This year’s edition celebrated not only three decades of continuous growth but also the passion and commitment of all those who make this mission possible — from professors and coordinators to participants who bring enthusiasm and new perspectives year after year.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to every contributor who helped make this edition a success.
Together, we continue to build a future where organ donation saves more lives every day.
🎥 Watch the video summary and relive the highlights of the 30th TPM edition!
Meeting in Dresden: experience exchange with the DSO
The DTI Foundation team, represented by Dr. Mauricio Galvão and Dr. David Paredes, took part between September 29 and October 1, 2025, in a series of hospital visits in the northeast and eastern regions of Germany, at the invitation of the Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation (DSO).
The aim of this mission was to exchange experiences with organ donation coordination teams, thus strengthening mutual learning and international collaboration in the field of organ donation and transplantation.
The visit concluded on September 30 at the University Hospital of Dresden, where the official photograph was taken together with:
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Dr. Sandra Loder
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Sepp Höhne
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Dr. Anne Trabitzsch
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Konrad Pleul
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Prof. Kristian Barlinn
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Dr. Félix Pfeifer
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Dr. Markus Dengl
DTI Foundation would like to sincerely thank the DSO, and especially Dr. Axel Rahmel, Dr. Sandra Loder and Dr. Félix Pfeifer, for their initiative and full support of this visit, which reinforces our shared commitment to saving lives through organ donation and transplantation.
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Welcome Session of the 22nd Edition of the Master in Applied Research in Donation and Transplantation
Today we officially welcomed the students of the 22nd edition of the Master in Applied Research in Donation and Transplantation, a 100% online program with weekly Live Sessions that combine flexibility, interaction, and collaborative learning.
This edition brings together 20 students from 14 different countries, reflecting the truly international and multidisciplinary spirit of the program. Most participants are physicians from various specialties, joined by nurses and professionals in biomedicine enriching the training with their diverse perspectives.
The program is led by Dr. Ricard Valero, together with Dr. Chloë Ballesté, Carmen Blanco, and Maite Pujol, a dedicated team that will guide participants throughout their academic and professional journey.
The welcome session marked the beginning of a transformative path that goes beyond academic knowledge: to prepare leaders capable of advancing organ donation and transplantation in their countries and contributing to a positive global impact.
From DTI Foundation, we warmly welcome all participants and wish them a year full of learning, collaboration, and success.
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.