University Hospital receives Medal of Honor from Health and Human Services
Heather Huddleston of Rep. Anne Northup's office presents James Taylor, president and CEO of University Hospital, with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony Dec. 7.
University Hospital was recognized for superior medical care Dec. 7 when it was awarded the Medal of Honor from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for substantially increasing organ donation rates.
University Hospital was one of 187 hospitals out of 787 nationwide to receive the distinguished award.
By partnering with the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) in the ongoing "Donate Life" campaign, University Hospital was able achieve, and sustain, a donation rate of at least 75 percent of eligible donors for 2005.
By contrast, the national average donation rate in all hospitals was 59 percent in 2005. In 2004, it was 55 percent.
The record gains followed the Health Resources Services Administration's launch in 2003 of the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative.
That initiative brought together donation professionals and hospital leaders to identify and share best practices to maximize organ donation rates.
The goal was to achieve organ donation rates of 75 percent or more for at least a year. Staff from the Health Resources Services Administration and the organ procurement organizations helped participating hospitals identify, adapt, test and implement practices known to produce high donation rates.
"As we celebrate University Hospital's outstanding accomplishments, let us remember that behind each number is a human face: an individual who has made a gift of life by becoming an organ donor, and the people who have benefited from the live-saving, life-enhancing transplant," said Kenneth Moritsugu, the acting U.S. surgeon general.
Heather Huddleston, a field representative for Rep. Anne Northup, presented the award to James Taylor, University Hospital president and CEO, and Larry Cook, M.D., UofL's executive vice president of health affairs
"University Hospital doctors, nurses and support staff never stop fighting for our patients," Taylor said. "The exemplary dedication and teamwork that they display every day to save lives is also used to increase the quality and length of life for so many more."
