Mountain Health Network hospitals earn national recognition for promoting organ, eye and tissue donation

Monday, September 20, 2021

Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) and St. Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC), members of Mountain Health Network, have earned national recognition for efforts to increase organ, eye and tissue donor registrations across the state through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. The WPFL is a national initiative that unites the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the organ donation community with workplaces across the nation to share the importance of donation.

CHH and SMMC received platinum recognition for conducting awareness and registry activities, such as honor walks and flag raising ceremonies, between October 2020 and April 2021, and for navigating the changes and challenges brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The WPFL Hospital Organ Donation Campaign challenges hospitals and healthcare organizations to educate staff, patients, visitors and communities about the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donation, and offer opportunities to register as organ donors.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from HRSA as one of our many efforts to save and heal lives in our region,” said Hoyt Burdick, MD, chief medical officer for Mountain Health Network. “Organ, tissue and eye donation and transplantation is one of the great advances in medical science.  To those in need, it is a second chance at life.  To those families who give, it is an opportunity to leave a legacy of hope and love.  We are committed to ensuring every family has the opportunity to give.”

 “Without our hospital partners, this mission would not be possible. Even amid a pandemic, these healthcare heroes ensure that the miracle of donation and transplantation continues to transform lives,” said Julie Bergin, president and CEO of Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA). “Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the organ transplant waiting list, reaffirming the critical and growing need for registered organ, eye, and tissue donors.  Congratulations to Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center for this national recognition and thank you for the continued commitment to saving lives,”

The 2021 Hospital Campaign efforts added 27,386 registrations to state registries, including registrations from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its inception in 2011, the campaign has generated 579,412 registrations. The campaign also has united donation advocates at hospitals with representatives from their local organ procurement organizations, Donate Life America partners, and state and regional hospital associations. CHH and SMMC worked with KODA to leverage its outreach efforts.

CHH and SMMC were two of 1,657 organizations to participate in the 2021 national campaign.

See the full list of hospitals recognized.

For more information about the WPFL Hospital Organ Donation Campaign, visit www.organdonor.gov/hospitals. Visit www.donatelifeky.org to sign up as a donor today!