The Department of Health and Human Services presented awards to 404 hospitals, 38 organ procurement organizations and 174 transplant programs for their success in increasing the number of organs available and transplanted. Fifteen Ohio hospitals – three gold medal hospitals, seven silver medal hospitals and five bronze medal hospitals – received the department’s Medal of Honor for Organ Donation for achieving and sustaining national goals for donation, including a donation rate of 75 percent or more of eligible donors at their facilities. Awards were presented for the work done during the time period of April 1, 2010, through March 31, 2012. Four Ohio organ procurement organizations and Donate Life America affiliates also earned medals of honor.
In a similarly structured initiative, 31 Ohio hospitals are currently registered and participating in the Ohio Hospital Association’s statewide Hospital Champions program, a yearlong campaign with Donate Life Ohio to promote and increase organ donation registration in Ohio. From June 2012 to June 2013, participating Ohio hospitals will receive Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum designations, to be presented at the 2013 OHA Annual Meeting. All OHA member hospitals are invited to register and participate. To register your hospital and get involved in spreading the message, please visit the Hospital Champion website. (John Palmer)