Transplant Center honored for organ donation efforts
by Matt Batcheldor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Vanderbilt Transplant Center have won Platinum Recognition, the highest possible level of achievement, from the National Hospital Organ Donation Campaign of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The recognition, part of HRSA’s Workplace Partnership for Life, honors VUMC “for saving and improving lives during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging hospital colleagues and community members to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.”
Ninety-one people gave the gift of life as deceased organ donors at VUMC in 2020, more than any other hospital in the country.
“This award is wonderful recognition of the efforts of the people throughout our institution to provide lifesaving transplants to those in desperate need,” said Seth Karp, MD, H. William Scott Jr. Professor, chair of the Section of Surgical Sciences and director of the Vanderbilt Transplant Center.
“With COVID increasing the number of patients who require transplants, it is heartwarming to see our continued extraordinary achievement in the face of the pandemic,” Karp said.
HRSA developed the national campaign to help hospitals promote organ donor awareness. Hospitals are graded on a scorecard based on efforts to increase donation awareness during the annual timeframe, from October through April.
During that time, 1,647 hospitals helped add 27,386 donor registrations, according to HRSA. This is the 10th anniversary for the campaign.