Meet the Team
At ProCure On-Demand, our team is united by a shared commitment to excellence and integrity. Each member embodies our values, bringing the courage to challenge the status quo, a deep respect for the organ donation process, and an unwavering dedication to collaboration. We pride ourselves on delivering uncompromising quality, adapting swiftly to the evolving transplant landscape, and staying grounded in integrity. Our diverse, skilled team works relentlessly to drive innovation and create life-saving solutions for donors, patients, and the entire transplant community.
Our Leadership Team
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Zachary Kon, MD
FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dr. Zachary Kon has always been at the forefront of his profession. From his trailblazing efforts as the very first cardiothoracic resident at the University of Maryland, to his establishment of a thoracic transplantation program at New York University, to being the first in the United States to successfully perform thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) for the purposes of organ donation, he has a proven commitment to the solution of old problems and the creation of new opportunities. Dr. Kon brings this same vision to ProCure, building a system that recognizes the existing expertise and dedication of the many organ transplant professionals across the country, while developing new strategies for fiscal responsibility and unprecedented organ utilization. Dr. Kon earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, and he completed his post-graduate training there as well. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
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Bartley P. Griffith, MD
FOUNDER AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Bartley Griffith is a tireless innovator. In a distinguished career as an internationally-renowned surgeon, educator, and researcher, there has been one constant: his drive to bring solutions once thought impossible into the realm of clinical reality. This commitment is evidenced in his pioneering work in the formative days of heart and lung transplant at the University of Pittsburgh, his development of the first ambulatory venovenous ECMO system, and his leadership culminating in the first life-supporting cardiac xenotransplant. Dr. Griffith brings this spirit of innovation to ProCure, guiding the organization from a strategic perspective as ProCure continues to explore novel clinical and systems-based enhancements to our current organ recovery paradigm. Dr. Griffith earned his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University and did his post-graduate training at the University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
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Gregory J. Bittle, MD
CHIEF OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES
Dr. Gregory Bittle knows the value of a well-functioning team. As a thoracic transplant and adult ECMO surgeon at the University of Maryland, he demonstrated that thoughtful communication and meticulous, evidence-driven technique were fundamental to scalable quality. His colleagues appreciate the unique combination of consistency and flexibility in his practice, as well as his unwavering respect and compassion in his interactions with patients and colleagues, alike. At ProCure, Dr. Bittle is committed to developing a multi-disciplinary network of organ recovery professionals around the country, fostering a culture of shared goals and shared responsibility, increasing the availability of life-saving organs and maintaining the highest standards. Dr. Bittle earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, where he also completed his post-graduate training. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
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Stacey Dash
CHIEF OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Stacey Dash believes in the power of listening. Her approach to solving challenges starts with understanding foundational needs. Stacey’s background spans multiple industry verticals and she has experience working within start-ups, mid-sized organizations and Fortune 500 companies. She is recognized as a strategist and efficient operator with strong business acumen and a reputation for propelling emerging ideas forward. Her career has been focused at the intersection of changing markets and emerging solutions, where unique offerings are created and meaningful impact can be made. At ProCure, Stacey oversees the areas of business development and marketing strategy and is focused on connecting ProCure’s innovative solutions to a broad range of stakeholders within the transplant community. Stacey holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts from Randolph-Macon College.
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Jane Dunigan
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Jane Dunigan is an architect of successful business solutions and an inspiring leader of high-functioning teams. As an award-winning CIO, Jane has an impressive track record driven by a combination of technical and business skills that have helped grow and scale several successful organizations. She brings deep experience in business process strategy, transformative change management, organizational development, enterprise-level application development and analytical solutions. At ProCure, Jane leads the day-to-day business operations for the company ensuring priorities, systems and people are aligned with the strategic direction of the organization. She has comprehensive responsibilities for key business processes and teams of people that ensure ProCure delivers the highest quality solutions to all stakeholders. Jane holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Elon University.
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Christine Lorenz
Chief Financial officer
Christine Lorenz brings a wide range of financial operations expertise including working with start-ups and multiple Fortune 500 companies. Christine’s background has given her extensive knowledge of financial operations including financial planning and analysis, M&A, billing, accounts payable, financial reporting, accounts receivable, treasury, and internal audit. Christine’s success with streamlining and automating financial processes has resulted in achieving notable improvements in financial metrices. At ProCure, Christine leads the financial operations and systems and ensures controls and processes provide the needed level of integrity and efficiency to achieve the company’s strategic direction and mission. Christine holds a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Maryland and a Bachelors of Arts in Accounting from Assumption University.
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Ashley Merkel
CHIEF OF PERFUSION SERVICES
Ashley Merkel combines her clinical background with an intellectual curiosity to discover new ideas. Ashley is a certified clinical perfusionist. She is known to her colleagues not only for her perfusion skills, but also as a collaborative teammate and exceptional leader willing to undertake a range of responsibilities. Her background includes experience with academic institutions in high-acuity cardiothoracic surgeries and a deep experience in machine perfusion. At ProCure, Ashley leads all of the organization’s perfusion capabilities, including its people strategy and operational approach. Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Genetics from the University of Georgia and her Masters of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion from the Medical University of South Carolina.
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Kelsey Young
CHIEF OF COORDINATION SERVICES
Kelsey Young brings a donor-centric perspective to everything ProCure does. As a certified procurement transplant coordinator with a formal education in organ donation and transplant, Kelsey brings a unique skill set to ProCure. Her approach is grounded in her formative work as a recovery transplant coordinator. She focuses her work on ensuring the entire coordination team and process safeguards donor organs with utmost care and highest levels of efficiency. Kelsey leads ProCure’s team of coordinators and is also responsible for key areas of operations, logistics and supplies that deliver the best experience to the transplant community. Kelsey received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Master of Science in Biomedical Science with a concentration in Transplantation and Donation Sciences both from the University of Toledo.
Board of Directors
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Zachary Kon, MD
FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dr. Zachary Kon has always been at the forefront of his profession. From his trailblazing efforts as the very first cardiothoracic resident at the University of Maryland, to his establishment of a thoracic transplantation program at New York University, to being the first in the United States to successfully perform thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) for the purposes of organ donation, he has a proven commitment to the solution of old problems and the creation of new opportunities. Dr. Kon brings this same vision to ProCure, building a system that recognizes the existing expertise and dedication of the many organ transplant professionals across the country, while developing new strategies for fiscal responsibility and unprecedented organ utilization. Dr. Kon earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, and he completed his post-graduate training there as well. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
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Bartley P. Griffith, MD
FOUNDER AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Bartley Griffith is a tireless innovator. In a distinguished career as an internationally-renowned surgeon, educator, and researcher, there has been one constant: his drive to bring solutions once thought impossible into the realm of clinical reality. This commitment is evidenced in his pioneering work in the formative days of heart and lung transplant at the University of Pittsburgh, his development of the first ambulatory venovenous ECMO system, and his leadership culminating in the first life-supporting cardiac xenotransplant. Dr. Griffith brings this spirit of innovation to ProCure, guiding the organization from a strategic perspective as ProCure continues to explore novel clinical and systems-based enhancements to our current organ recovery paradigm. Dr. Griffith earned his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University and did his post-graduate training at the University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
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Mani Daneshmand, MD
MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Mani Daneshmand understands the needs of high-performing, well-organized thoracic transplant programs. He is the Director of Heart and Lung Transplant, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and ECMO at Emory University – life-saving programs that were effectively integrated under his leadership. Dr. Daneshmand brings his visionary organizational experience to ProCure, in addition to his unique expertise in transplant informatics and software development. Dr. Daneshmand received his medical degree from Albany Medical College. His post-graduate training was done at Duke University Medical Center in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.
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Ish McLaughlin
MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ish McLaughlin draws on his deep experience as a manager of people and process in his career as a senior finance executive, as well as in his work advising early-stage companies and serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations. While at Citigroup as Head of Sales and Relationship Management for North America he was responsible for an annual $7bn revenue client franchise and managed a 700-person team of sales and operational support personnel across the United States and Canada. Ish served on various North American management and steering committees at Citigroup, including the Markets Steering Committee, the Reputational Risk Committee, the Managing Director Promotion Committee, and served as Chair of the Markets Recruiting and Compensation Committee. Ish currently serves as a board member for two nonprofits, as well as an advisor to several startup organizations. He completed his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College majoring in history and received an MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School.
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Robert Montgomery, MD, DPhil
MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Robert Montgomery is a luminary in the field of transplantation–performing the first successful pig-to-human gene edited kidney xenotransplant, minimally-invasive donor nephrectomy, “domino” paired donation, and recipient desensitization among his many ground-breaking contributions. He is currently the Chair of the Department of Surgery and the Director of the Transplant Institute at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Montgomery has dedicated his career to developing out-of-the-box solutions for the systematic and biologic problems of organ availability in the United States, and he now continues this same mission with ProCure. Dr. Montgomery received his medical degree from the University of Rochester and his doctor of philosophy degree specializing in molecular immunology from the University of Oxford. His postgraduate training in general surgery and organ transplantation was done at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Additional Board Members
Lung Bioengineering holds a minority investment interest in ProCure On-Demand and holds two non-voting board seats
Scientific and Ethical Advisory Council (SEAC)
ProCure set up the SEAC to provide strategic advice to the company regarding emerging scientific advancements, ethical issues, policies and regulations that are relevant to ProCure’s interests. The SEAC makes recommendations to ProCure regarding scientific validity and ethical implications of current and planned products, services, and processes. Its purpose is to foster open dialogue and engage expert opinions as ProCure evolves its approach in the dynamic transplant community. The SEAC Chairperson is selected by majority vote of ProCure’s Board of Directors, and the SEAC Chairperson selects members. Current members of ProCure’s SEAC are listed below.
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Robert Montgomery, MD, DPhil
SEAC CHAIRPERSON & MEMBER OF PROCURE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Robert Montgomery is a luminary in the field of transplantation–performing the first successful pig-to-human gene edited kidney xenotransplant, minimally-invasive donor nephrectomy, “domino” paired donation, and recipient desensitization among his many ground-breaking contributions. He is currently the Chair of the Department of Surgery and the Director of the Transplant Institute at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Montgomery has dedicated his career to developing out-of-the-box solutions for the systematic and biologic problems of organ availability in the United States, and he now continues this same mission with ProCure. Dr. Montgomery received his medical degree from the University of Rochester and his Doctor of Philosophy degree specializing in molecular immunology from the University of Oxford. His postgraduate training in general surgery and organ transplantation was done at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
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Matthew Cooper, MD
MEMBER OF PROCURE’S SEAC
Dr. Matthew Cooper is the Chief of Transplantation, Director of Solid Organ Transplant and the Mark B. Adams Distinguished Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is also a member of the National Kidney Registry’s Medical Board and its Surgical Director. He is the Past President of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Dr. Cooper received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed his general surgical residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and he completed his transplant surgery fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
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Brendan Parent, JD
MEMBER OF PROCURE’S SEAC
Brendan Parent is an attorney and Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics in the Department of Population Health with joint appointment in Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He is also the Director of Transplant Ethics and Policy Research at NYU Langone. Professor Parent’s primary research focuses on organ donation, procurement, and transplantation ethics and policy. He serves as an independent living donor advocate, an advisory board member for the National Kidney Foundation, and a member of the national donation leadership council for The Alliance. He provides ethics consultation for transplant and medical research programs across the United States. He received his JD from Georgetown University and completed two fellowships: one at NYU Langone Health (Division of Medical Ethics, Dept Population Health) and one at the New York State Task Force on Life and the Law.