In January, Howard Nathan retired after an incomparable career as President & CEO of the Gift of Life Donor Program and shifted to his new role as Executive Director of the Transplant Foundation. There is hardly a professional involved in organ transplantation anywhere in the world who does not know Howard’s name. Thousands of recipients and donor families have felt the impact of his vision, determination, and empathy. However, since Howard stepped down amidst the challenges of a global pandemic, we have not had the opportunity to celebrate his career as we would like, until now.  

We are truly thrilled to announce a few ways we are honoring Howard this year:  

Gift of Life Howie’s House is being renamed in Howard’s honor! Gift of Life Howie’s House will be officially dedicated this summer and will continue to welcome guests with the warmth and compassion embodied by its new namesake. If you would like to share a message for Howard, please click here. 

We are also very proud to launch Beyond Measure: The Howard M. Nathan Impact Fund benefitting Gift of Life Howie’s House, a one-of-a-kind opportunity to honor Howard with a personal or corporate contribution, in gratitude for his outsized influence on donation and transplantation and to ensure that Howie’s House continues to fulfill its commitment that no family be turned away for inability to pay. To make a contribution in Howard’s honor, please click here.  

We are excited to be able to celebrate Howard. Throughout his 43+ year career, Howard’s visionary efforts to move the field of organ and tissue donation forward have resulted in the successful coordination of more than 55,000 life-saving organs for transplant and more than 2 million life enhancing tissues for transplant through Gift of Life Donor Program alone. Each precious gift offered hope to patients and their families. His tireless dedication, leadership, and mentorship have influenced best donation practices and policies regionally, across the United States and around the world.   

Many professionals in our chosen field have had the chance to work with Howard throughout his career and have experienced first-hand his dedication and commitment. His passion to advance the Art & Science of Donation is well established, with Gift of Life Institute supporting innovation and accountability in the field. And it is only because of Howard’s compassion and commitment to the families undergoing the challenging transplant journey that his dream of Gift of Life Howie’s House became a reality, a home away from home for transplant families travelling to the Philadelphia region for their transplant care. Informed by his own family’s experience while his sister underwent her life saving liver transplant, Howard took action to complete the circle of care provided by the Gift of Life family.  

The Howie’s House, celebrating its 10 years of providing support and affordable lodging stands as a testament to what Howard sought for all families. Compassion, care and expertise all harnessed to support life-saving work grounded in the altruistic acts of donor families.  

We are all grateful for Howard’s leadership, his vision, his tenacity, and his personal compassion. We hope you will join us in this singular opportunity to thank an exceptional man who has had a foundational impact on the profound work we all share.