Donor Network West Promotes Matthew Graves to Vice President of Donor Operations, Northern Nevada
In his expanded role, the Nevada-native will lead Donor Network West’s northern Nevada team in its mission to save and heal lives.
RENO, Nev. (Sept. 8, 2023) — Donor Network West, the only nonprofit organization authorized by federal law to recover organ, eye and tissue donations across northern Nevada and northern California, has announced the promotion of Matthew Graves to vice president of donor operations, northern Nevada.
Graves joined the organization in September 2021 as vice president of tissue operations and has expanded the organization’s tissue donation program to help heal more lives than ever before. In his new role, he will serve as the executive lead for the region and he will continue to support efforts to educate the northern Nevada community about the impact of organ, eye and tissue donation. Graves is based at Donor Network West’s Reno, Nevada, headquarters.
“As a northern Nevada native, Matt has been instrumental in helping Donor Network West grow our services to help those who need a life-saving organ transplant,” said Janice Whaley, president and CEO of Donor Network West. “We were fortunate to have someone with his many talents and accomplishments join our team. Matt brings more than 13 years of experience to his new role, along with a passion for the Silver State, and the health and wellness of the community we serve. Along with the hundreds of Donor Network West employees serving in Nevada, I look forward to Matt’s assumption of new leadership activities, which reflect our commitment to high-level organizational presence, action and outcomes in northern Nevada.”
Since joining the organization Graves has helped Donor Network West reach new organizational records including facilitating donations from 403 organ donors, saving 1,260 people with lifesaving organ transplants, and healing tens of thousands more from tissues donated from 2,051 tissue and cornea donors in 2022.
Prior to joining Donor Network West, Graves was the regional director of operations for Nevada Donor Network, Las Vegas, where he worked for more than 11 years, holding several roles from director of tissue services to tissue procurement technician. He is board-certified by the American Association of Tissue Banks as a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“I am honored to take on an expanded role within Donor Network West to help further the vital work we do in northern Nevada,” said Graves. “With more than 700 Nevadans waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, the need is great. For nearly 40 years, the entire team at Donor Network West has been proud to save and heal lives in the Silver State and beyond. I am proud to be a part of this life-saving mission.”
Graves holds an executive master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nevada, Reno. He is also an active American Association of Tissue Banks member.