News
Welcome New Officer & Councilors!
We are pleased to announce your newly elected DEI Officer and Councilors-at-Large!
DEI Officer
Irene Kim, MD
Director, Comprehensive Transplant Center. Surgical Director, Liver Transplant, Professor, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Dr. Kim brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as DEI Officer on the ASTS Council. She attended medical school at the University of California San Francisco before completing her residency at Tufts University, where her passion for transplant began. From there, she attended Stanford University School of Medicine, where she completed her fellowship.
Dr. Kim is a decades-long member of ASTS, and has been deeply involved in advancing ASTS’ mission. She has contributed her leadership and vision across multiple committees, including the Bylaws Committee, Fellowship Training Committee, and the Boldly Against Racism Task Force - a coordinated effort to directly address racism and promote permanent and positive change. Dr. Kim has also served as a Councilor-at-Large from 2020-2023.
"It’s an honor to represent our professional organization of transplant surgeons as the DEI officer, a position rooted in the importance of representation and inclusion of all members in our society.
My goal for the ASTS is to foster broad engagement of our membership and to surface and integrate the many perspectives and needs of this diverse organization and the patients we serve."
Councilors-at-Large
Kristopher Croome, MD, MS
Professor of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Florida
Dr. Croome attended medical school at the University of Western Ontario, followed by a Master’s Degree in Clinical Epidemiology from Harvard University. He returned to the University of Western Ontario to complete his transplant surgery fellowship.
As a dedicated member of ASTS, Dr. Croome has made significant contributions to our Society’s mission through his service on multiple ASTS committees, including the Vanguard Committee, Winter Symposium Planning Committee, and the Scientific Studies Committee, where he served as Chair.
“It is imperative that the ASTS play a strategic role in helping guide the OPTN Modernization Initiative. I am honored to have the privilege as Councilor-at-Large to advocate for the membership, their patients, and the future of transplantation. In times of change and uncertainty, I pride myself as someone who will focus on positive opportunities to strengthen our society and drive progress in transplantation.
During my term I will be dedicated to enhancing organ utilization and to ensuring safe, ethical, and effective pathways for broader organ access. I am committed to being accessible, transparent, and responsive to all ASTS members, to ensure that your voices are heard.”
Rachel Forbes, MD, MBA
Chief Division of Kidney & Pancreas Transplantation, Associate Professor of Surgery, Living Donor Kidney Medical Director, Division of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Dr. Forbes earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where she also completed her General Surgery Residency. She later pursued a Master of Business Administration at The Ohio State University, where she also completed her transplant fellowship training.
Since joining ASTS in 2010, Dr. Forbes has been an active and valued member of the Society, contributing her expertise to several committees. Notably, she served as Chair of the Membership & Workforce Committee, helping to strengthen and support the transplant community.
"I was inspired to run for this position so I might better contribute more to my colleagues and the field of transplantation through ASTS programs, policies, and initiatives. I hope to help foster collaboration, growth, and innovation in our community."
Chris Freise, MD
Professor of Surgery, University of California San Francisco
.png?sfvrsn=eece50d3_0 "freise (2)")
Dr. Freise earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Minnesota, before pursuing his transplant fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive research expertise, with a focus on immunosuppressive therapies following transplantation and strategies to prevent tissue injury caused by the restoration of blood flow to transplanted organs.
A dedicated member of ASTS, Dr. Freise has contributed significantly through his service on several committees, including the Ethics Committee and the Living Donation Committee, where he provided strong leadership as Chair and advanced key initiatives to support living donors and transplant recipients.