Iowa Health Systems Integrate Organ Donor Registration into MyChart

Iowa health systems have integrated a donor registration tool into the MyChart patient portal, resulting in more than 9,000 registrations. This initiative, led by University of Iowa Health Care and other partners, places Iowa eighth nationally as of June 2026, according to program data.

How does the MyChart donor tool work?

The tool allows residents to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors through the National Donate Life Registry without leaving the MyChart platform. Epic MyChart and Donate Life America developed the technology to streamline the registration process.

Donor decisions remain private from patient care teams. However, the information is accessible to donation professionals across the country. Users can update or remove their registration on the National Donate Life Registry at any time.

Did You Know? As of June 2026, the integration of this tool helped Iowa achieve a national ranking of eighth for donor registrations.

Why does this integration matter for transplant lists?

David Fleming, president and CEO of Donate Life America, stated in a news release that the technology is transforming how Americans engage with the donation process. He noted that every registration provides hope for the more than 100,000 patients currently on the national transplant waiting list.

The initiative was led by a coalition including University of Iowa Health Care, UnityPoint Health, Mercy Medical Center, and Health Ventures of Central Iowa. By embedding the registry into a portal patients already use, the systems have removed steps from the registration process.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that integrating critical registries into existing patient portals reduces the administrative friction that often prevents registration. By moving the process into a secure, familiar digital environment, health systems may see a sustained increase in donor participation.

What could happen next for donor registration?

The success of the Iowa model may lead other states to adopt similar portal integrations. If more health systems implement the Epic MyChart and Donate Life America tool, the national transplant waiting list could see a shift in available donor numbers.

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Further expansions of the tool’s functionality could be a possible next step. This may include more streamlined ways for users to manage their preferences via the National Donate Life Registry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which health systems led the Iowa initiative?
The initiative was led by University of Iowa Health Care, UnityPoint Health, Mercy Medical Center, and Health Ventures of Central Iowa.

Who developed the registration tool?
The tool was developed by Epic MyChart and Donate Life America.

Can a person change their donor status after registering?
Yes, individuals can update or remove their registration on the National Donate Life Registry at any time.

Do you think integrating medical registries into patient portals will increase organ donation rates nationwide?