Organ, eye, and tissue donation saves lives every single day, but the demand far outweighs the number of donations. In the United States, there are over 100,000 people on the transplant list, but there are only enough organ donations for around 40,000 transplant surgeries each year. As a result, 17 people die .everyday waiting for a transplant.
Maimonides Health is proud to have two nationally recognized hospitals championing organ, eye, and tissue donation awareness. The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Division of Transplantation awarded Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital (MMCH) with a Bronze distinction, while Maimonides Medical Center earned Platinum status, the highest level of recognition.
Achieving These Awards Is Hard Work
Reaching bronze and platinum status through HRSA’s transplant awareness campaign isn’t easy. There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to accomplish this goal. Participating facilities fill out a scorecard to earn points toward bronze, silver, gold, or platinum recognition.
Organizations that participate in the campaign earn points from three categories:
- Hospital Campaign Donor Registration
- Hospital Communications and Events
- Community Engagement and Events
Dr. Richard Savel’s leadership and vision are what landed Maimonides these distinctions. His roles as the Vice Chair for Inpatient Operations for the Department of Surgery and Director of Adult Critical Care Services put him in a unique position to champion organ transplant and donation awareness.
“I see critical care patients who need transplants on a regular basis,” Dr. Savel explained, “so I know how important this work is. We’re making a difference in these patients’ lives by promoting organ donation awareness and registering people to become organ donors.”
Maimonides Community Partner Congratulates Our Platinum Status
Maimonides achievement hasn’t gone unnoticed. Leonard Achan RN, MA, ANP, President & CEO of LiveOnNY, congratulated both hospitals for their “commitment and advocacy work to increase awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation in the communities they serve.” There’s no doubt these efforts are giving New Yorkers a second chance at life through increased organ donor enrollment and awareness.
HRSA’s organ donation awareness campaign starts back up on October 1st. To get involved and help Maimonides reach platinum status once again, please contact Dr. Savel at (718) 283-7991.
