Allegiance Earns Medal for Excellence in Organ
Donation
October 15, 2012
Jackson,
Mich. — Donor hospitals from across Michigan, including Allegiance Health,
were recognized nationally earlier this month for outstanding accomplishments
in organ donation. Allegiance Health was the recipient of a bronze medal
granted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Hospitals
across our state are working hard to improve the donation process for donors
and their families wanting to help save lives. In doing so, they also offer
hope to the more than 3,000 people waiting in Michigan for transplants today,”
said Richard Pietroski, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan.
The winning hospitals converted at least 75
percent of eligible candidates for organ donation, which is a national goal set
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Nearly 400,000 people joined the Michigan
Organ Donor Registry in 2011, compared with 320,000 in 2010, representing a 25
percent increase. While this increase is encouraging, Allegiance Critical Care
Services Manager Michael Barabash said,”If you don’t have a red heart above
your picture on your Michigan driver’s license, you are likely not on the organ
donation registry. The need for organs for donation is great, so please go to GiftofLifeMichigan.org to add
your name to the registry and some day you could give the gift of life.”