OSF Saint Anthony honored for organ donation, Illinois

ROCKFORD — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recognized OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, 5666 E. State St., with a National Medal of Honor for the sixth consecutive year for its work to improve organ donation.

The hospital, one of 307 in the country to receive the award, was honored at a Jan. 20 ceremony hosted by the UW Organ Procurement Organization, the program that partners with OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center to serve organ donors and their families.

To receive the recognition, hospitals must achieve a 75 percent donation rate, meaning that at least three-fourths of the people who were eligible to be an organ donor became one. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center served 10 donors which resulted in 32 organs for transplantation from Oct. 1, 2008, to March 31, 2010, the timeline reviewed for the 2010 honor.

“Our partners at St. Anthony’s are committed to the life-saving gift of organ donation,” said Jill Ellefson, executive director at the UW Health OPO. “These professionals recognize the important role they play in partnering with us to serve patients and their families to ensure the gift of life can be honored.”

In Illinois, more than 4,800 people are on the organ waiting list including almost 40 percent under the age of 50, and 85 children.