Mon Health System Hospitals Earn Recognition for Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation

L-R: Kevin Stalnaker, CAO, Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital; Jamie McLaughlin, Sr. Director Critical Care/Nursing Operations, Mon Health Medical Center; Julia Spelsberg, Marketing & Community Outreach, Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital; Michelle Stanton, Director of Quality, Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital

Three Mon Health System hospitals have earned national recognition for efforts to increase organ, eye, and tissue donor registrations across the state through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. 

During an event at Stonewall Resort on September 9, Mon Health Medical Center, Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital, and Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital all received the Titanium award, the highest an organization can achieve. 

“The WPFL is a vital organization in the continued healthcare continuum in our region and state. The ability to offer lifesaving transplants can extend the life of many patients and families,” said Kevin Stalnaker, Chief Administrative Officer of Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. “Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts a person could potentially give to a patient on a waiting list. Many thanks for all donors and their families for participating in this wonderful program.”

The WPFL is a national initiative that connects the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, and the organ donation community with workplaces across the nation in raising awareness about the importance of donation. The WPFL Hospital Organ Donation Campaign challenges hospitals and healthcare organizations to “let life bloom” by educating staff, including offering opportunities to register as organ donors. 

“Every ten minutes, someone is added to the organ transplant waiting list. Many people support donation as an opportunity to give life and health to others but fail to take the important step of registering as a donor,” said Krystal Atkinson, Chief Administrative Officer at Mon Health Medical Center. “By becoming a donor, you can save several lives and improve the lives of many more.”

Between January 1 and April 30, 33 West Virginia hospitals and health systems participated in the challenge. In 2021, 95 organ donors from West Virginia saved the lives of 223 people, and 317 tissue and cornea donors restored sight for 62 people. By the end of 2022, WV hospitals will have significant impact in saving and healing a record number of lives through organ and tissue donations and transplants for the fourth straight year. Mon Health System hospitals partner with the Center for Organ Recovery & Education to leverage its outreach efforts. 

To register as a donor today, visit RegisterMe.org. For more information about the WPFL Hospital Organ Donation Campaign, visit OrganDonor.gov/Hospitals.

About Donate Life West Virginia: Donate Life West Virginia is comprised of four federally-designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) that are dedicated to promoting and coordinating the donation of organs and tissue for transplantation – Center for Organ Recovery & Education, Lifeline of Ohio, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates and LifeNet Health. For more information, visit donatelifewv.org.

About CORE: The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of 57 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States, serving more than five million people in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. CORE coordinates the recovery and matching of organs, tissues and corneas for transplant within their service region, and works tirelessly to create a culture of donation within the hospitals and communities they serve. CORE’s mission is to Save and Heal lives through donation, ultimately ending the deaths of those on the transplant waiting list, while maintaining integrity for the donation process, dignity for the donors, and compassion for their families. CORE is a winner of the 2019 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a presidential award that recognizes nonprofits for their innovation and excellence. For more information, visit core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.