On September 16, 2022, NJBIZ, New Jersey’s leading business journal, announced the honorees for its 2022 Best 50 Women in Business program, which recognizes professionals who have made a significant impact on New Jersey industries and the community at large. The year’s prestigious list includes Carolyn M. Welsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NJ Sharing Network, the non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization responsible for the recovery and placement of organs and tissue in the state.
A resident of Colts Neck, NJ, Welsh was recognized for her efforts in leading NJ Sharing Network’s 206 employees, local hospital and community partners, and hundreds of volunteers to consistently achieve record growth in lives saved and enhanced through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. During Welsh’s 23-year tenure at NJ Sharing Network, the number of life-saving transplants in the Garden State has quadrupled. In recent years, she has guided effective strategic plans, policies and procedures that resulted in all-time highs in the number of organ donors despite unprecedented restrictions due to the pandemic. NJ donor registrations also jumped 8.3% in 2021 ranking the state as 5th on the National Donate Life Registry.
“Every day, I am fortunate to work with our dedicated team of professionals, community volunteers and partners who are committed to saving lives and improving the health and wellbeing of our neighbors. Giving people a second chance at life through organ and tissue donation and transplantation is my purpose. I am honored to be recognized by NJBIZ alongside some of the most dynamic and inspirational leaders in our state,” said Welsh.
Since joining NJ Sharing Network in 1999 as a Hospital Services Manager, Welsh has continually advanced to take on new responsibilities. She currently oversees the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of NJ Sharing Network, including leading the organization’s clinical services, information technology, human resources, regulatory compliance, performance improvement, hospital and community outreach, and communications. In addition to her role at NJ Sharing Network, Welsh serves on the Board of Directors of Eversight and on the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Council of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO). She previously served on the United Network for Organ Sharing’s (UNOS) OPTN OPO Committee.
According to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), there are over 100,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 of whom live in New Jersey – waiting for a life-saving transplant. One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
PHOTO CAPTION: Carolyn M. Welsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NJ Sharing Network
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of NJ Sharing Network