History

Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, formerly known as the University of Miami Organ Procurement Organization, was founded in 1978 as a subdivision of the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery. In the early years, the number of organ donors varied from 20 to 40 annually. The organizations first transplant organs were renal allografts in 1978.

A major concern of LAORA has been the transmission of disease to organ recipients. The AIDS virus and other diseases have contributed to the study of biology and epidemiology of HIV and other diseases by the University of Miami School of Medicine’s researchers. Results of this research have resulted in recommendations for quality control measures which were adopted by the South Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation (SEOPF) and the American Academy of Transplant Surgeons.

In an effort to improve the quality of life and make transplants readily available to patients, LAORA has played a role in the organization of new procurement programs. The agency also provides training for personnel from other procurement programs and for surgeons interested in organ transplantation and procurement programming. Currently, LAORA provides a wide range of services in organ recovery. This includes a solid relationship with the University of Miami Tissue Bank and the University of Miami Eye Bank. To date, the organization has supplied over 4,000 organs to surgeons at various institutions. LAORA now manages approximately 100 multiple organ donations each year and provides a full spectrum of services for transplantation surgery. All organs distributed by LAORA are excised and processed aseptically. Tissues recovered for research are obtained aseptically in the donor operating room and processed according to research protocols.

The LAORA staff includes a medical director, executive director, thirteen procurement coordinators, six perfusion technicians, five community affairs staff members, and administrative personnel.

LAORA is a member the South Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation (SEOPF) of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS). The agency is accredited by UNOS and the State of Florida.