Matthew Cooper, MD, is the director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute (MGTI) and a Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He was recently elected president of the UNOS Board of Directors, beginning July 1, 2021. Dr. Cooper is board certified in general surgery and accredited by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

Dr. Cooper chose the specialty of transplant surgery because it is tremendously rewarding and life-changing for his patients. In fact, he says that he has the "best job in the world." He appreciates the environment of excellence at the Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute, the focus on the care of the patient and the high expectations and commitment among colleagues. His goal is to meet the needs of patients at all stages of transplantation, including post-surgical care. He aims to provide a positive and welcoming overall experience and excellent long-term outcomes.

Dr. Cooper believes that transplantation allows him to not only make a real connection in his patients' and their family's lives, but also to make a significant improvement in his patients' length and quality of life.

Dr. Cooper's research interests focus on interventions to reduce the injury associated with ischemia-reperfusion leading to delayed graft function in kidney transplant recipients; he is currently involved with multiple ongoing clinical trials in this area. Washington Post Magazine has named Dr. Cooper a "Super Doctor" in 2011 through 2018.

Dr. Cooper received the following awards:

• AAKP 2020 Medal of Excellence Award Recipient
• National Kidney Foundation’s inaugural 2019 Excellence in Kidney Transplantation Award, awarded to a clinician scientist whose exceptional research has contributed novel insights in or resulted in improved access to kidney transplantation.
• Chairman of the 2018 American Transplant Congress
• National Kidney Registry’s 2018 Excellence in Physician Leadership Award, presented to the physician, who through engagement, teamwork, personal example, sharing and leadership, improved the practice of kidney transplantation and who facilitated a significant number of living donor transplants at their center and around the country.

Read details about Dr. Cooper's background and accomplishments.
Learn more about Dr. Cooper's clinical trials.