The aim of the Education Committee (EC) is to coordinate ESOT’s efforts to advance multidisciplinary education for transplant professionals at all career levels and to contribute to their professional development.
The Basic Science Committee promotes scientific issues and transplantation research within ESOT. An active basic science community and an efficient translation of innovation into the clinic are crucial for the future of transplantation medicine.
The European Transplant Allied Healthcare Professionals (ETAHP) reaches out to allied healthcare professionals throughout Europe in order to ensure the best care possible for all transplant patients, with the aim to optimize patient outcomes.
The Young Professionals in Transplantation (YPT) is the Network for Junior Transplant professionals of ESOT, representing all young transplant clinicians and scientists who are beginning a career in transplantation and organ donation.
The mission of ECTORS is to provide a forum for discussing and stimulating novel developments in the fields of cellular therapies in organ transplantation, organ regeneration and generation of new organs from stem cells and biomaterials.
ECTTA is the forum for experience exchange on treatment of patients with end-stage heart and lung failure. Our aim is to improve outcomes for the patients.
EDTCO aims to support health care professionals to provide clinically effective programmes on organ and tissue donation, procurement and transplantation.
EKITA is the Organ Expert Section of ESOT on kidney transplantation in Europe, providing a forum for kidney transplantation professionals to exchange scientific information and views aimed at providing the best service to European patients .
The European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association (ELITA), previously known as the European Liver Transplant Association (ELTA), is a section of ESOT. Its membership represents the expertise on liver and intestinal transplantation in Europe.
ELPAT is a European platform that brings continuity and progress in European research and dialogue on "Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial Aspects of organ Transplantation". ELPAT currently consists of over 160 experts from more than 25 European countries.
EPITA is established to provide a forum for those working in the field of pancreas and islet of Langerhans transplantation or any other alternative form of beta cell replacement in Europe, to exchange scientific information and views related primarily to providing the best service for patients in Europe requiring pancreas or islet transplantation.
VCA has opened a new era in the field of transplantation, reconstructive and restorative surgery. This Section brings together 10 representatives of major European teams at the forefront in this field.
Rachel Thomas BSc MBChB MD FRCS
Rachel is a kidney and pancreas transplant surgeon in Edinburgh, UK and a lead surgeon for the UK National Organ Retrieval Service retrieving abdominal organs and tissue from deceased donors across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Rachel is also one of the live donor kidney transplant implant surgeons and has a general surgical practice.
Rachel trained in Edinburgh and Glasgow transplant units and completed her fellowship in Oxford Transplant Centre, focusing on pancreas transplant.
Rachel completed her MD in 2013 at the University of Edinburgh. For this, Rachel was Chief Investigator for the HOT study (Heme Oxygenase 1 in renal Transplant) looking at ways to protect deceased donor renal transplants from inevitable ischaemic injury. This work led to funding for a multicentre trial and Rachel was awarded the Moynihan Prize from ASGBI. Her current QI interest is in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) and a successful pilot was completed in 2021, which changed standard renal transplant practice. Rachel’s research interest is in the impact of different retrieval techniques on kidney grafts.
Rachel also has an interest in teaching and mentoring and is part of the University of Edinburgh medical student support programme. She regularly teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students locally and nationally.
