HHRI News & Press Releases
September 22, 2026 -- A transition is underway in the management of the nation's transplant data infrastructure. Publicis Sapient, a global digital business transformation company, is in the process of taking over fundamental elements of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) contract, from the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI). The transition is currently in progress. The IT infrastructure transition is expected to be fully completed by December 1, 2026, with other contract element timelines yet to be determined.
SRTR is a vital national resource that supports the transplant community through comprehensive data analysis, with a core mission of improving patient outcomes and experience. It operates under a contract from the Division of Transplantation (DoT), Health Systems Bureau (HSB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The registry provides program-specific reports on transplant programs and organ procurement organizations, offering wide-ranging information to clinicians, researchers, and patients.
HHRI has been a cornerstone of medical research since 1952, supporting and overseeing research conducted at HCMC, the flagship acute care and teaching hospital of the Hennepin Healthcare System in downtown Minneapolis. As one of the largest medical research nonprofits in Minnesota, HHRI often ranks in the top ten percent nationally of institutions receiving research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The organization, through its Chronic Disease Research Group (CDRG), has operated SRTR for over 15 years with a steadfast commitment to its mission of transforming health and health care for all through ethical research and meaningful community partnerships.
The transition from HHRI to Publicis Sapient is being conducted collaboratively to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities and the continued integrity of SRTR's operations. Both organizations are dedicated to ensuring that the registry continues to provide reliable, data-driven insights that are essential for the transplant community and the patients they serve.
Further updates will be provided as the transition progresses.
More HHRI Research Highlights
Redefining Tobacco Cessation and Mental Health Care: Inside BHERG’s Mission to Break the Cycle
Director of Training and Mentoring and Senior Psychologist, Sandra Japuntich, PhD, LP, and Senior Psychologist and Director of the Hennepin Healthcare Tobacco Dependence Clinic, Drew Busch, PhD, LP, both have Minnesota roots. However, they met on the other side of the country during their respective clinical internships at Brown University…
Read MoreHHRI Leadership Updates
Dr. Kirsten Johansen was recently appointed as HHS Chief Research Officer. We are pleased to announce that HHRI’s President, Kirsten Johansen, MD, has been appointed to a new leadership position as Hennepin Healthcare System’s (HHS) Chief Research Officer (CRO). The establishment of this position represents an important step forward in…
Read MoreHHRI Adopts New Mission, Core Values
HHRI is excited to announce the adoption of a new organizational mission and set of core values. The new HHRI Mission is: Transforming health and healthcare for all through ethical research and meaningful community partnerships. The new Core Values for HHRI are: Excellence World-class health science research and education engages,…
Read MoreThe Heart Whisperer: How Dr. Fred Apple Transformed Cardiac Diagnostics
Peace. This one word ends all his emails. He’s a product of the peace and love movement that encapsulated the 1960s and 1970s and cherishes the iconic song “Imagine” by John Lennon. It’s a life philosophy he’s carried with him throughout the decades. Since 1982, Fred Apple, PhD, DABCC, has…
Read MoreWomen Who Lead: Meet the leaders of HHRI
International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, started over 100 years ago in 1911, focusing on women’s equality, achievements, the gender pay gap, and raising awareness about discrimination. Later, one celebratory day turned into one week when the U.S. President proclaimed the week beginning March 7, 1982, Women’s…
Read MoreTo Antarctica & beyond; Infectious Diseases researcher Kristina Burrack, PhD, completes Homeward Bound trip
Stop. Waddle time. HHRI Principal Investigator Kristina Burrack, PhD, along with 122 participants of the year-long women in STEMM leadership program, Homeward Bound, “could not pass go or collect $200.” They trekked across the lands of the Antarctic Peninsula, pausing along the way to wait for any penguin crossings. Biosecurity…
Read MoreSRTR biostatisticians are using data to help transplant communities
One word strikes fear into the hearts of many – math. Biostatistician Yoon Son Ahn, MS, encourages those interested in the field, “Do not be afraid of math. You have to take several math classes, but it’s not that hard compared to other math-driven courses or master’s programs.” Ahn is…
Read MoreHHRI Research Heroes Profiles
HHRI Research Heroes Home » Newsroom » HHRI Research Heroes » HHRI Research Heroes Profiles HHRI Research Heroes HHRI researchers are experts in their fields, tackling our biggest healthcare challenges, including COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, life-threatening and time-sensitive conditions, chronic diseases, and access to care. They conduct basic, translational,…
Read MoreMarch is Brain Injury Awareness Month
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is usually caused by an external force, injuring the brain and impacting the normal function of how the brain works. TBI can affect anyone, but data indicates that some groups are more likely to be impacted the most. TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe…
Read MoreHealing Future Generations: One woman’s journey in helping expectant families and parents of young children
Imagine who you are now. Now imagine your identity completely changing. That is the stark reality for many women who choose to become mothers. For six-time Oscar nominee, Amy Adams in the 2024 book-to-film adaptation, “Nightbitch,” her newfound identity as a former artist turned stay-at-home mom has her barking at…
Read MoreThe Quorum for Community-Driven Wellness Research: Guiding research that promotes health equity for people experiencing homelessness and living with chronic illnesses
The Health, Homelessness, & Criminal Justice (HHCJ) Lab is embedded within the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI), the research arm of the Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS). The HHCJ Lab conducts research that focuses on the complex drivers of health for people experiencing homelessness and/or criminal justice involvement. Within this context,…
Read MoreRestorative Neurotrauma Lab (RNL): A small lab making a big difference
The Restorative Neurotrauma Lab (RNL) describes itself as “a small lab making a big impact for those who have suffered.” The RNL is within the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) and is studying neuromodulation to improve the lives of individuals who’ve suffered neurotrauma. Neurotrauma is an umbrella term to describe…
Read MoreA stand of its own: E-STAND study improves the lives of neurotrauma patients
In the blink of an eye, 24-year-old Evan Faucett’s world turned upside down during a motocross competition when his bike landed without him. That life-changing moment was over six years ago on July 9, 2018. It’s been a long road to recovery, but with the help of the Epidural Stimulation…
Read MoreGrowing and sustaining a diverse workforce that reflects the community
As Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) advances its mission of improving patient care and the health of our community through research and education, adding more professionals of color to its staff and boosting diversity in research will benefit all communities, reduce biases and disparities, improve patient care and build trust.…
Read MoreHHRI researchers are here, there, and everywhere
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) investigators and staff connected with the community and shared their expertise at events and as guests on radio programs and podcasts throughout 2024. Here’s a compilation of some of those activities and interviews. Dr. Rachel Nygaard was interviewed on the Tiny Matters podcast December 11,…
Read MoreNephrology investigator Dr. Casey Dorr interviewed for the FDA’s OMHHE Health Equity Lecture Series for National Native American Heritage Month
Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Associate Commissioner for Minority Health and Director for the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) Cheryl Anne Boyce, PhD, interviewed Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) Investigator Casey Dorr, PhD, MS, for the FDA’s OMHHE Health Equity Lecture Series for National Native American…
Read MoreLung Cancer Awareness Month: One Woman’s Story of Advocacy and Hope
In the United States, 20,000 to 40,000 people who have never smoked are diagnosed with lung cancer, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) employee Renee Marrero’s journey with lung cancer has transformed her from a concerned family member to a passionate advocate working…
Read MoreRamping Up Diversity in Research; Enriching Hennepin Healthcare’s Representation
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) continue to be important elements of Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute’s (HHRI) and are values the organization is prioritizing with its research and in its staff. HHRI is heightening its emphasis on DEI by fostering a movement to include more communities of color in its mission…
Read More