From 80/20 to 60/40: NRP in DCD Donation and Its Implications for Eye Bank Practice

Includes a Live Web Event on 08/12/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)

As donation after circulatory death (DCD) cases continue to rise, shifting the donor pool from an 80/20 to a near 60/40 split with brain death donation, normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is becoming a standard part of the donor management landscape that eye banks need to understand. This webinar offers eye bank professionals a clear breakdown of brain death versus DCD, an explanation of NRP and its growing role in the organ donation community, and a focused look at how NRP affects ocular recovery timing, dispatch decisions, and OR coordination. Attendees will also hear emerging science on whether NRP perfusion reaches the corneas and what that could mean for tissue outcomes, leaving with both the clinical context and practical knowledge to adapt eye bank workflows to this evolving environment.

Ryan Nelson

Manager, Tissue Recovery Optimization

Donor Network of Arizona

Ryan Nelson is the Manager of Tissue Recovery Optimization at Donor Network of Arizona, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on advancing tissue recovery operations, strengthening Medical Examiner partnerships, and maximizing donation opportunities across Arizona. With more than 18 years of experience in organ, eye, and tissue donation, Ryan has held progressive leadership roles spanning tissue recovery operations, staff development, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.

Ryan currently serves as Chair of the Recovery and Donor Eligibility Council and Board Member for the American Association of Tissue Banks and has presented nationally on topics including Medical Examiner collaboration, operational innovation, and tissue donation best practices. He is a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist and earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Grand Canyon University.

Dana Owens, CEBT (Moderator)

Director, Tissue Recovery

Eversight

Dana Owens, CEBT, is the Director of Tissue Recovery for Eversight. Dana began her healthcare career as an EMT and Medic in the United States Army. Soon after, she found her calling and purpose within the world of eye banking. Dana has been involved in eye banking as a recovery technician, recovery manager, business development, research recovery development, and distribution manager and has been the Director of Tissue Recovery since 2022. Dana currently serves as the Chair for the EBAA Technician Education Committee.