Orlando Merced-O’Neill has over 30 years of experience and leadership in regenerative medicine, organ and tissue transplantation, and microsurgery. He has been continually involved with Axogen since July 2002 and joined full time in August of 2006.
He is nationally and internationally recognized for his surgical innovations in tissue and organ recovery, microsurgery, and peripheral nerve reconstruction. He was part of the founding group at Regeneration Technologies Inc. where he was instrumental in the development of BioCleanse® tissue sterilization process, and several de-novo bone products and processing platforms. He has held leadership positions at Regeneration Technologies, Inc. (RTI Biologics Inc. nka RTI Surgical), LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services, University of Alabama Health Services Foundation Cardiothoracic Transplant Surgery Division, the Alabama Organ Center, Texas Human Biologics, Bone Bank Allografts and the University of Florida Department of Orthopaedics Tissue Bank.
He has been instrumental in the development of new methodologies and instrumentation for tissue and organ recovery, processing, and implantation as well as microsurgical instruction.
Ove the last 20 years he has been part in the development of several departments and technologies at Axogen such as nerve tissue surgical recovery procedures, processing, storage, and professional education.
Currently he is a member of the Medical Affairs Team where he collaborates with the Professional Education Department to provide microsurgical education to over 500 surgeons annually. He is a member of the Tissue Services Medical Advisory Board. Actively collaborates with Marketing, Domestic and International Sales in supporting customer needs. Additionally, provides advisement to the Product Development Department and Biomedical Engineering Senior Project. Along with other members of Axogen participates in humanitarian mission work in pediatric brachial plexus surgery.
He is a member of the American Association of Tissue Banks, Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons, Associate Member of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery and Affiliate Member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
He is also Adjunct Faculty in the Plastics Department at University of Texas San Antonio.
He holds degrees from University of Florida (BS), Santa Fe College (RN), Cornell University Executive and High-Performance Leadership Certificates and is an American Association of Tissue Banks Certified Tissue Bank Specialist.
