August 26, 2026 | 33 minutes | Hot Topics in Kidney Health
Episode Description
The transplant system in America is evolving. And you deserve to know what that means. Today, we unpack the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Act with experts Miriam Godwin and Jullie Hoggan. Learn why this legislation was introduced, how it could improve the organ transplant system, and what it means for people waiting for or living with a transplant.
Speaker Notes
Miriam Godwin is a kidney donor and Vice President of Health Policy and Clinical Outcomes at the National Kidney Foundation. She previously led transformative initiatives at CMS, including the ESRD Treatment Choices Model, and supported groundbreaking programs like Kidney Care Choices. With a strong foundation in health policy, clinical trials, and drug development, Miriam has dedicated her career to advancing kidney care and increasing access to transplants. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from George Washington University.
Jullie Hoggan is the Transplant Director at patients.app and previously co-founded Square Knot Health, where she helped develop a peer-led transplant navigation program alongside a transplant nephrologist. She is also a kidney transplant recipient, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to her work. Jullie provides peer mentoring, education, and support to patients, living donors, and care partners through Kidney Solutions. She serves on the OPTN Patient Affairs Committee, the National Kidney Foundation Public Policy Committee, and several other national committees and advisory groups focused on improving transplantation and living donation.
