After 35 years of giving hope and sharing life, Jan Finn, President & CEO, to retire in 2026

At a recent Town Hall recognizing successes and celebrating years of staff service, a surprise announcement prompted heartfelt applause and tears of gratitude.

Jan Finn, RN, BSN, MSN, President and Chief Executive Officer, will retire from Midwest Transplant Network after a distinguished 35-year career in organ, eye and tissue donation.

Jan began her career as a registered nurse in critical care at St. John’s Regional Medical Center Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. In 1990, she joined Midwest Transplant Network (MTN) as an Organ Procurement Transplant Coordinator and Hospital Services Coordinator. She also opened MTN’s satellite office in Joplin.

As MTN grew through supportive leadership, innovation and continuous improvement, Jan advanced in her career. She progressed from Senior Organ Procurement Transplant Coordinator to Associate Director and became Chief Operations Officer in 1998. In 2017, she was named President and Chief Executive Officer, becoming the third individual to hold that position in MTN’s history.

Jan is a respected leader in the organ donation and transplant community. She has served on numerous national committees, boards and task forces. Jan was President of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO), President of the North American Transplant Coordinators Organization (NATCO), and Chair of the Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance. She has served on the boards of MTF Biologics and the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative. In addition, she was an appointed member of the Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation (ACOT) and the Missouri Governor’s Advisory Council on Organ and Tissue Donation. One of her most rewarding experiences was serving as faculty for the HRSA Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative and the National Learning Congress events.

In June 2024, Jan received a Lifetime Achievement Award from AOPO.

Locally, she served on the boards of the Gift of Life Foundation and Friendship Inn of Kansas City.

Jan is most proud of her work as a nurse and her dedication to caring for others. She is honored to have helped an organ procurement organization grow into a national leader among OPOs, fostering a culture of support, professionalism and high expectations. As AOPO president during a challenging period, Jan demonstrated collaboration, improvement and relationship-building – efforts that have helped save lives, supported donor families and provided hope to transplant recipients.

“My work began as an RN, knowing I wanted to help others, but never realizing the impact that was possible with a dedicated and amazing support team,” Jan wrote in a letter to MTN staff.

“We’ve saved lives, given hope to those whose very lives depended on us and provided comfort to our donor families. I will always cherish the accomplishments and celebrations of leading the donation and transplantation community.”

Jan’s decision to retire came after careful reflection. She describes it as “bittersweet given the joy and support I’ve experienced in my career.” Jan is confident in MTN’s future and believes challenges will be met with a commitment to improvement and life-saving strategies.

“My professional life has been second only to the happiness and pride brought to me by my family. I’m looking forward to personal pursuits, learning new things and having free time.”

Midwest Transplant Network’s Board of Directors will partner with WittKieffer, an executive search firm, to find a successor beginning in January.

Jan Finn’s retirement is effective July 3, 2026.