St. Mary’s Hospital has earned platinum-level recognition for its work in support of organ, eye and tissue donation and public health, while continuing to serve on the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) program 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 raising awareness of the importance of donation and increasing organ, eye and tissue donor registrations.

Between October 2020 and April 2021, St. Mary’s participated in HRSA’s WPFL Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. The program challenged hospitals and healthcare organizations to partner with their local organ procurement organization, LifeLink of Georgia, to “let life bloom” by educating hospital staff, patients, visitors and surrounding communities about the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donation and by offering the opportunity to register as a donor. 

St. Mary’s was one of 1,647 organizations to participate in the 2021 campaign, which helped to add 27,386 new donors to state registries across the country. The campaign has generated 575,000 registrations since its inception in 2011 and unites donation advocates at hospitals with representatives from their local organ procurement organizations.

“Organ donation is the key to helping people all across our region and our country continue to live and live well,” said Montez Carter, St. Mary’s President and CEO. “We appreciate the work of LifeLink and the organ donation community and are honored to be recognized for the dedication and commitment of our colleagues and medical staff in supporting organ donation.” 

St. Mary’s worked with LifeLink of Georgia, the state’s organ and tissue recovery program, as well as Donate Life Georgia, the state organ and tissue donor registry, to leverage its outreach efforts. During the 2020-2021 campaign cycle, St. Mary’s was one of 92 hospital partners within the LifeLink service area.  For more information about the Hospital Campaign, visit www.organdonor.gov/hospitals.

An individual can make their decision to become a registered organ and tissue donor when obtaining a driver’s license through the Georgia Department of Driver Services, online when purchasing a hunting or fishing license through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, or by going to www.DonateLifeGeorgia.org.