Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) has earned national recognition for its efforts to increase organ, eye and tissue donor registrations across the state through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. The WPFL is a national initiative that unites the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the organ donation community with workplaces across the nation in spreading the word about the importance of organ donation.

PMC earned Platinum recognition for educating its staff, patients, visitors and community about the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donation through awareness and registry activities between October 2021 and April 2022. These activities prompted many new donor registrations during that period.

“We are honored to receive the HRSA 2022 Platinum Recognition for the seventh year in a row,” said PMC Chief Operating Officer Kansas Justice. “PMC believes that organ donation saves lives, and it is crucial to spread that awareness to the people in our region and encourage donor registrations.”

The 2022 Hospital Campaign efforts added several registrations to state registries, including registrations from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its inception in 2011, the campaign has generated numerous registrations, as well as united donation advocates at hospitals with representatives from their local organ procurement organizations, Donate Life America affiliates, and state and regional hospital associations. PMC worked with Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) to leverage its outreach efforts.

KODA Community and Partnership Services Liaison Lauren Salyer met with PMC administration on August 16th to present the award.

“Pikeville Medical Center and KODA continue to have a strong partnership,” said Lauren. “Both parties are dedicated to saving and enhancing lives while having a profound appreciation for those who give. PMC is more than deserving of this award.”

Every nine minutes, another person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list, reaffirming the critical and growing need for more registered organ, eye, and tissue donors. For more information about the WPFL Hospital Organ Donation Campaign, visit www.organdonor.gov/hospital. Visit https://registermeky.org/ to sign up to become a donor.