Avera McKennan Hospital Receives National Honor for Organ Donation
SIOUX FALLS (Nov. 9, 2006) - Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center has been awarded with the Health and Human Services (HHS) Medal of Honor Award. Representatives of 371 of the nation's largest hospitals, together with their partners in 57 organ procurement organizations, were recognized on Oct. 19, 2006, during a meeting in New Orleans of the Breakthrough Collaborative National Learning Congress on Organ Donation and Transplantation.
The prestigious Medal of Honor award is presented to hospitals and organ procurement organizations who achieve life-saving organ donation rates of 75% or more for a sustained twelve month period. The national average donation rate in all hospitals in 2005 was 59%, up from 54% in 2004. The Medal of Honor Award is one element of the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaboratives, two highly successful national initiatives to increase organ donation rates in the nation's largest hospitals, thus increasing the number of lives saved through transplantation.
"The work of these hospitals and OPOs made possible 1,200 more life-saving and life-enhancing transplants in 2005 compared to 2004," said Elizabeth M. Duke, administrator of HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration, which houses the federal government's pro-donation activities. "Their achievements show we can improve systems to boost donation rates and save more lives in the future."
LifeSource, the non-profit organization responsible for managing organ donation activities in the Upper Midwest, partners with hospitals and transplant centers to provide the bridge between the loss of life and the gift of life. In 2005, 181 people in the region generously extended the gift of life to more than 600 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Twelve of more than 200 hospitals in the LifeSource region received this prominent national award.
Susan Gunderson, chief executive officer at LifeSource, commented "We are thrilled that so many of our hospitals received this prestigious award. The steadfast support and dedication of our hospitals is truly remarkable, and we are proud to partner with so many organizations that are exceptionally committed to saving lives through donation and transplantation."
"It's a tremendous honor to once again receive this prestigious national award," said Fred Slunecka, president and CEO of Avera McKennan. "We are proud of our state-of-the-art Avera McKennan Transplant Institute and our long history of organ donation and transplant services. It's humbling to be involved in the lives of patients who find new hope and new life through organ donation."
Dedicated hospital staff is vitally important in the life-saving work of organ donation, as are the generous and noble families who give the gift of life. Individuals are also encouraged to talk with their loved ones about their wishes.
Organ donation facts from LifeSource (www.organdonation.org):
Over 93,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
Each day 100 names are added to the national transplant waiting list and 17 people die simply because not enough people say yes to donation.
On average, about 74 people in the United States receive an organ transplant each day.
One person can save or enhance up to sixty lives through organ and tissue donation.
A photo of Avera McKennan receiving the Medal of Honor is available at: http://www.organdonationnow.org/Files/NLC2006_Photos/MNOP12.JPG. (Pictured left to right are: Susan Gunderson, CEO of LifeSource, RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., U.S. Deputy Surgeon General and Rosanna Morris, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services at Avera McKennan.)
About Avera McKennan
Our ministry, our people and our superior value distinguish Avera. We carry on the healthcare legacy of the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters, delivering care in an environment guided by our values of compassion, hospitality and stewardship. Avera McKennan colleagues work for the largest health system in the region. The Avera network has some 11,500 employees and physicians, serving 215 locations and 82 communities in a five-state region. Inpatient and clinic visits totaled upwards of 1,890,000 in the last fiscal year, a number equal to nearly twice the population of the Avera service area.
About LifeSource
LifeSource is the non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation in the Upper Midwest. The LifeSource service area covers Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of western Wisconsin.
