Enhancing Lives Through Tissue Donation - Archived

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

For More Information:
David McArthur, Community and Media Relations Manager
502.562.3575 or 502.648.3411                                                                                 
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 Saint Joseph East Recognized for Commitment to Enhancing Lives Through Tissue Donation 

Louisville, KY (June 5, 2013) – Saint Joseph East, part of KentuckyOne Health, has been awarded the “Tissue Donations Performance Award” for 2012 by the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA).  The award is  presented to a select group of hospitals that have achieved or exceeded a targeted conversion rate for tissue donation, providing life-enhancing gifts to many in need.

“A tissue donation can truly change a life,” said Deborah Bryant, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing at Saint Joseph East. “We’re proud that our organizations can take part in this process and impact the lives of so many in a positive way.”

Due to the efforts of Saint Joseph East, more tissues were available to enhance the lives of patients through the gift of tissue donation. Donated tissues may help renew sight through cornea transplantation, provide skin for burn victims, bone for spinal surgeries and cancer, veins for heart bypass surgery, and heart valve replacements for children and others.

“KODA works closely with our hospital partners to help create the opportunity for meaningful donation, out of what is often a difficult, stressful situation for our donor families.  The gift of organ and tissue donation provides comfort to the donor family and can also help hospital staff by knowing that a tragic loss has helped the lives of others,” said Paul O’Flynn, CEO of KODA.

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony in each hospital by representatives from KODA.

About KentuckyOne Health

KentuckyOne Health was formed when two major Kentucky health care organizations came together in early 2012. KentuckyOne Health combines the Jewish and Catholic heritages of the two former systems – Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System. In late 2012, the organization formed a partnership with the University of Louisville Hospital | James Graham Brown Cancer Center.  The nonprofit system is committed to improving the health of Kentuckians by integrating medical research, education, technology and health care services wherever patients receive care. KentuckyOne Health has more than 200 locations including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies, with nearly 15,000 employees across the state of Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is the largest health system in Kentucky and has more than 3,100 licensed beds.

 

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