Deborah Maurer Leads CORE in Organ Donation Innovation

Deborah Maurer, a seasoned transplant administrator, has taken the helm as President and CEO of the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), a 49-year-old organization dedicated to saving and healing lives through organ, tissue, and cornea donation.

Maurer, who brings over 30 years of healthcare experience, officially began her tenure at CORE in July, marking a new chapter for the organization. Prior to joining CORE, she served as the transplant administrator at the UPMC Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, one of the nation's premier transplant programs.

"Moving from transplantation to donation has given me a fresh perspective on the entire organ donation process," Maurer said. "I now have a deeper appreciation for the critical role that every team and individual plays in turning a donor's gift into a life-saving opportunity."

Under Maurer's leadership, CORE aims to build on its impressive track record of innovation and partnership. The organization has already achieved significant milestones, including a 23% increase in organ transplants in 2025, with 484 organ donors resulting in 1,191 organs transplanted. CORE also holds the 2019 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, recognizing its excellence in organizational performance.

"Building on what is already working, CORE will continue to invest in clinical innovation and infrastructure," Maurer explained. "Our goal is to make increasingly complex donation and transplantation possible safely and consistently, while honoring the donor and their family's decision."

Maurer's vision for CORE's future includes expanding its use of advanced organ preservation and perfusion techniques, which allow transplant teams to better assess and utilize donated organs. The organization is currently constructing the Susan Stuart Center for Excellence, a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance CORE's capacity and support for the evolving needs of donation and transplantation.

"Looking ahead, we must think ahead and anticipate the needs of our hospital and transplant partners," Maurer said. "Our new facility will be a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence."

Maurer also emphasizes the importance of strong partnerships with hospitals, transplant centers, and donor families. She believes that continuous dialogue and collaboration can drive further improvements in the donation process.

"Transparency and trust are at the center of everything we do," Maurer stated. "We must always keep the donor and their family's decision at the forefront of our work."

CORE serves more than five million people across western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Chemung County, New York, working alongside nearly 150 hospitals and supporting donor families throughout the donation process.

"Every one of the 100,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant is waiting for a phone call that could change everything," Maurer said. "If we can keep getting better, we can make more of those calls, more people can go home, and more ordinary days can be had with the people they love."

As CORE looks to the future, Maurer is excited about the potential to save and heal more lives through donation and innovation.