Aaron Williams

Aaron Williams, MD, was recently recognized for developing a novel heart preservation technique that is expanding access to lifesaving transplants. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Aaron Williams a ‘pioneer’ on 2026 TIME100 Health list of influential leaders

Williams helped lead the team that developed a method to preserve donor hearts for up to 12 hours — triple the typical four-hour window.

Heart preservation technique increases pool of organs available for transplant

The technique, termed REUP (rapid recovery with extended ultraoxygenated preservation), avoids traditional methods that reanimate the heart within or outside the donor’s body.

A standard heart transplant requires surgical many types of instruments. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

New donor organ storage method helps reduce rates of severe primary graft dysfunction

Methods such as the cold storage system make it possible to preserve organs for longer after donation, expanding the pool of available organs.

New organ recovery technique could make more heart transplants available

The method, rapid recovery with extended ultra-oxygenated preservation, involves flushing the donor heart with a cold oxygenated preservation solution after death.