LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As the federal government cracks down on the organ donation provider for Kentucky, one local family said there is a change they're still fighting for.
TJ Hoover's case continues to make national headlines. Medical records say Hoover had been declared brain dead in 2021 and was being prepared for organ donation when he regained consciousness — a stunning turn that has sparked a federal investigation and raised serious questions about the organ donation process.
At the time, the donation process was overseen by Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, which has since merged with LifeCenter Organ Donor Network and is called Network for Hope. The organization coordinates organ donation across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.
Documents obtained by WDRB Investigates show the Health Resources and Services Administration identified issues with medical assessments, family communication and the recognition of neurological activity during Hoover's case. The agency concluded there was a "potentially serious and ongoing risk to patients and families."
Wednesday, during a stop at the University of Kentucky, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the decertification of Network for Hope, saying reviews found persistent patient safety failures despite repeated oversight and warnings.
But as Network for Hope plans its appeal of the federal decision, Hoover's family wants to make sure what they went through doesn't happen to anyone else.
It's been a long road to recovery for Hoover, but his sister said he's now feeding himself, doing speech therapy and is in occupational therapy.
"He's doing good," Donna Rhorer said.
In 2025, Hoover was starting to remember little bits of what happened to him. Now, his family said it comes in waves.
"It just comes up out of the blue," said Rhorer. "He'll be thinking and start talking about it."
Hoover and his family were at UK for Wednesday's announcement, calling it an emotional day for him.
"He actually broke up crying a couple times during the announcement," said Rhorer.
When asked what their reaction was to the news that Network for Hope would be losing its certification, Rhorer said it was justice for TJ.
"We've been fighting for a long time for reform and change, so another person doesn't have to go through this," she said.
When asked if this was the change they were looking for, Rhorer said it's a start.
"It's a beginning. I want it to be nationwide," she said. "That organ donation is safe for all patients and families."
Kennedy said the problems at Network for Hope persisted even after the group promised to fix them.
"Federal reviewers found serious deficiencies in nearly 30% of the cases they examined. We found patients placed on the organ donation pathway who should have never been there," he said. "We found cases with the donation process continued despite signs that patients were not appropriate organ donors. We found repeated failures in clinical judgement oversight and patient safety, and we found that these problems continued even after the organization promised to correct them."
In a statement, the organization said it "strongly disagrees" with Kennedy's decision and plans to appeal.
"NFH is compliant with all OPTN policies and has implemented a first-of-its-kind 'pause in procedure' process. This pause process is now Kentucky law and NFH proudly worked hand-in-hand with legislators and regulators by providing input in the drafting both of the new law and its implementing regulations," the statement continued.
The organization said it complied with all federal policies, and the move will impact more than 3,000 people waiting for a transplant.
UofL Health said the decertification of Network for Hope is expected to have minimal impact for its patients since the majority of its organs for transplants come from other certified organizations.
Norton Children's Hospital said it's reviewing the new information, and that it's transplant programs for hearts and kidneys are operating as normal.
Baptist Health released a statement saying, in part, that the "HHS decertification notice outlines a 90-day window for Network for Hope to continue providing services, with the current end date of Nov. 3. Our focus remains on patient safety and delivering the highest standards of care."
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