About Us
Founded in 2017 through a generous gift of Citrone 33, the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation honors the life and legacy of Thomas E. Starzl, MD, PhD, recognized as the father of transplantation, and carries on his work of discovery and lifesaving innovation. The Starzl Network aims to unite a community of top pediatric liver transplant centers in the United States and Canada that are committed to developing and sharing best practices. In this spirit, the vision, mission, goals, and guiding principles of the network were developed.
A network of pediatric transplant institutions committed to continuous improvement until every child can achieve a long and healthy life.
Mission
To unite big data, technology, patient advocacy, and transplant thought leaders to deliver the best possible care and develop new, scalable solutions to pediatric transplantation’s most challenging problems.
Goals
Collectively determine gaps in transplant outcomes, beginning with liver transplant, to plan network goals
Standardize and transparently share data for better outcomes in pediatric transplantation.
Initiate transplant technology funding and collaboration opportunities to encourage and foster innovation.
Guiding Principles
Collaboration
A desire among members to forgo individual gains in lieu of collective efforts.
Urgency
A shared sense of determination to quickly and dramatically improve patient care and outcomes.
Transparency
A willingness among members to freely and openly share data within and beyond the Network.
Equity
Continually striving to minimize financial, social, environmental, and racial inequities in access to and outcomes after liver transplantation.
Innovation
A determination to identify and use leading approaches and technologies to advance our goals.
Excellence
A commitment to engage leaders across multiple fields and combine their expertise.
Synergy
A drive to build off existing systems (e.g., SPLIT) or provide expertise to regulatory bodies (e.g., UNOS) who are advocating for improvement in outcomes for children.
Benefits for Patients and Families
- Increase awareness of complications and outcomes following transplantation. for patients and families.
- Access cutting-edge, patient-centered technology and use it to advance the field.
- Strengthen the voices of pediatric patients and their families.
- Utilize feedback to shape research and improvement priorities.
History of the Network
The Network was launched in 2017 with a leadership gift from Cindy and Rob Citrone, founders of Citrone 33, during the Play It Forward Pittsburgh campaign, an initiative which continues to amplify the need for transplant organ donation at a national level by seeking to register organ donors, raise awareness about organ donation and transplantation, raise funds to improve pediatric transplant outcomes, and encourage relevant policy updates.