Michael Palmisano, Director of Tissue Operations at We Are Sharing Hope SC, is an openly LGBTQ+ leader working to make healthcare, especially organ, eye and tissue donation, more inclusive. Through his roles on the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation’s Board of Governors and LGBTQ+ Committee, and the Association for the Advancement of Tissue and Biologics’ CARE Committee, he challenges outdated federal donor eligibility rules that exclude men who have sex with men, advocating for science-based individual risk assessment. With his Legacy Protect model, Michael places people at the center of everyday, honoring each donor’s legacy by investing in the team entrusted to protect it. He presents nationally and internationally, sharing insights and building cross-cultural collaborations. As a mentor and educator, he empowers emerging professionals to lead authentically, showing that inclusion strengthens organizations and drives lasting change in healthcare and donation.
