Newark, NJ – University Hospital announced today that it had been recognized with a national award for raising organ and tissue donation awareness in a national campaign.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This award reflects the numerous activities that University Hospital has undertaken throughout the year to promote organ and tissue donation.
The hospital was awarded the highest recognition, a Platinum Award, through the HRSA Workplace Partnership for Life Hospital Campaign.
This honor was awarded to University Hospitals for its ongoing awareness and registry campaigns to educate staff, patients, visitors, and community members.
About the critical need for organ and tissue donors, which have increased the number of potential donors in the Greater Newark and New Jersey community.
University Hospital partnered with N.J. Sharing Network on the campaign. N.J. Sharing Network is the organization in New Jersey responsible for saving lives through organ and tissue donation.
“This award recognizes University Hospital’s dedication to the mission of N.J. Sharing Network,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, President and CEO of University Hospital.
“With so many New Jersey residents waiting for an organ donation, we must raise awareness of this critically important issue. The holiday season is a good time to remember that being an organ donor can lead to a gift that saves a life.”
University Hospital is home to The Center for Advanced Liver Diseases and Transplantation, which has also celebrated a successful year.
The year began with Jim Rhatican celebrating the tenth anniversary of his successful liver transplant at University Hospital, by representing New Jersey on the annual New Year’s Rose Parade “Donate Life” float in California.
In August, the Center announced the successful completion of its 1,500th transplant. The Center also recently announced that it had completed the first transplant of a machine-preserved liver in New Jersey, pioneering new technologies for organ preservation.
“Our hospital partners are vital to our life-saving mission,” said Joe Roth, president, and CEO of N.J. Sharing Network. “With nearly 5,000 people in New Jersey in need of a transplant and 122,000 across the country.
The work that our hospital partners do to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation ultimately leads to more patients receiving those transplants.”
To learn more about organ and tissue donation, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.