James S. Wolf, MD was one of the early pioneers in the medical transplantation field. He became a transplant surgeon at Northwestern University Medical School and eventually rose to chairman of its Division of Transplantation and associate dean of Medical Education. He also served as president and medical director of the Regional Organ Bank of Illinois (now Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network).
Wolf was one of the first transplant surgeons to see the value and need for public education to increase organ donation. At a time when donation and transplantation were rarely thought of by most Americans, he was able to convince influential leaders from organ, eye and tissue recovery organizations to work collaboratively toward solving this public-health challenge.
Wolf served in several capacities with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), including director of Medical Affairs, from 1994-2000, when he retired due to heart disease. He received a heart transplant in 2001. He also was a founder and first president of the Coalition on Donation (now Donate Life America).
In his honor, Donate Life America annually presents the Dr. James S. Wolf Courage Award to an individual for his or her extraordinary efforts to inspire people to donate life.
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