Council Advisory Group

Meet the Council Advisory Group

The Council Advisory Group (CAG) is NMDPSM advisory group. The CAG is your direct line of communication to our NMDP leadership. Members of this board-level advisory group come from within our Network of partners facilitating unrelated transplants. They’re passionate about working with you to answer questions, facilitate improvements and always put the needs of patients and donors first.

FY26 Council Advisory Group goals

Accelerate progress

  • Explore and support process and practices of DC/TC communication to improve collaboration.

World Class Partner

  • Support the NMDP D360 and Transplant Center Improvements (TCI) projects through input on Network needs, feedback on upgrades, and user testing.

Expand Access

  • Collaborate with NMDP Patient Advocacy, provide feedback, and promote expanded patient access.
  • Work with NMDP team on understanding variability of required patient caregiver role and provide feedback on NMDP white paper.

The CAG members serve as your liaison between NMDP and the Network. The members meet regularly with NMDP leadership to review questions, issues and recommendations from Network members.

Each member of the Council of Advisory Group represents a part of the Network – transplant centers, operated donor centers, cord blood banks, apheresis centers and collection centers. They are nominated for two-year terms and can serve up to two consecutive terms.

  • Kimberly Schmit-Pokorny, RN, MSN, OCN, BTMCN, Council Advisory Group Chair
  • Jonathan Fish, MD, Council Advisory Group Vice Chair
  • Anne Archer, MPH, MSW, Transplant Center Representative
  • Jaclyn Jacques, Transplant Center Representative
  • Jena Schmitz, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Transplant Center Representative
  • Jennifer Reyes, MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW, OSW-C, APHSW, PMH-C, Transplant Center & Social Work Representative
  • Luis Hernandez, CQIA (ASQ), Cord Blood Bank Representative
  • Mindy Allen, RN, BSN, BMTCN, Transplant & Collection Center Representative
  • Naomi Herrera, LVN, Apheresis Center Representative
  • Rick Morse, BS, Operated Donor Center Representative

Council Advisory Group webinars

As the Network constantly evolves, the Council Advisory Group is dedicated to identifying best practices with the patient and donor in mind.

Confidentiality policy updates

Learn about changes to the NMDP Confidentiality Policy, along with how it affects communication between NDMP and Network partners.

Time matters

Learn about the importance of a patient’s timeline to transplant, cancellations and postponements, how these delays impact the donor, and what each center can do to influence change. Peers will also share how the efforts Network members are making today are contributing to a lasting impact.

Submit a question, suggestion or comment

If you have questions, suggestions or comments., email the Council Advisory Group. The CAG and NMDP meet monthly and will review the latest questions and comments at the next scheduled meeting. If you would like to submit a question anonymously, please email the CAG Chair.