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NJ Sharing Network, the federally designated non-profit organization responsible for recovering donated organs and tissue in the Garden State, has announced that Sharyn Sawczak, RN, CPTC, CTBS, of Franklin Township (Hunterdon County), NJ, Director of Clinical Practice and Innovation, has been appointed to a three-year term as a Regional Representative of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) Committee. Sawczak will focus on medical, scientific, and ethical issues relating to the transplant community on a national level. At NJ Sharing Network, Sawczak guides her teams to improve and streamline clinical processes and spearheads countless best practices to further the organization’s life-saving mission. Sawczak is also tasked with training clinical team members and will develop and lead education programs in NJ Sharing Network’s new Simulation Training Center, which is scheduled to open within its New Providence headquarters next year. “It is an honor to be a part of NJ Sharing Network and to work with an amazing team committed to saving and enhancing lives and offering countless families the opportunity to honor their loved ones,” said Sawczak. “The miracle of organ and tissue donation and transplantation is my passion, and I am excited to be taking on additional responsibilities and challenges to further our mission.” In 2006, Sawczak joined NJ Sharing Network’s team as a Clinical Donation Specialist. She earned valuable experience working with families of organ and tissue donors, assembling the clinical team for surgery, and facilitating the recovery and allocation of organs for transplant. Sawczak advanced her career at NJ Sharing Network, earning promotions to key leadership positions. Sawczak’s passion for organ and tissue donation and transplantation began while she was working as a registered nurse in ER, Trauma and Critical Care units in various clinical settings across the country. She witnessed firsthand the gift of life and was immediately inspired. “Sharyn’s leadership has helped NJ Sharing Network consistently achieve record growth in the number of lives saved and enhanced through organ and tissue donation and transplantation,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NJ Sharing Network. “Her vast expertise and tireless commitment have enabled her to make a positive impact, not only here in New Jersey, but within the broader organ and tissue donation community.” In addition to being a registered nurse, Sawczak holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration/Management from Purdue University Global and an Accounting degree. She is also a Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator and Certified Tissue Bank Specialist. Sawczak and her husband, Deon Metelski, reside in Franklin Township, NJ. According to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), there are over 100,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 of whom live in New Jersey – waiting for a life-saving transplant. One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.