James R. Rodrigue, PhD

After completing his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Memphis in 1989, Dr. Rodrigue was on faculty at the University of Florida, where he served as Director of Transplant Behavioral Health Services and led a clinical research program in organ donation and transplantation. In 2005, he was recruited to The Transplant Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and, for the last several years, has served as Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Surgery. He is also Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery and at the Harvard Medical School, and is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Most recently (January, 2024), he joined New England Donor Services, where he serves as Director of Data Research & Insights and will work collaboratively with the outstanding team there to help increase the number of transplantable organs in the New England region.

Dr. Rodrigue has been PI on numerous research grants from the NIH, HRSA, PCORI, private research foundations, state agencies, and industry over the last 30+ years. He has published 200+ peer-review articles, 4 books, and many book chapters on transplantation and organ donation. He has lectured nationally and internationally on the behavioral health and ethical aspects of transplantation, living donation, strategies to increase deceased organ donation, and disparities in transplantation and organ donation.

Recognition of Dr. Rodrigue’s achievements is reflected in him receiving an Honorary Master’s Degree from Harvard, the American Society of Transplantation’s (AST) Clinician of Distinction Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to clinical transplantation, induction as a Fellow into the AST, election to the AST Board of Directors, and alumni achievement awards from the University of Maine at Farmington, Fort Hays State University, and the University of Memphis.