Fulton County Medical Center recognized for supporting organ donation
McCONNELLSBURG, Pa. — Fulton County Medical Center is receiving statewide recognition for its efforts to support and raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation.
The Fulton County Medical Center was honored with a Platinum designation through The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) 2024 Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge. FCMC also was awarded with Gold Recognition through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) DoNation Campaign which unites America’s workforce for organ, eye and tissue donation.
The annual campaign encourages Pennsylvania hospitals to increase organ, eye and tissue donation awareness within their hospitals and communities. HAP partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the two organ procurement organizations serving Pennsylvania — the Center for Organ Recovery & Education and Gift of Life Donor Program — to support the challenge.
“I am proud of Futon County Medical Center and our community as a whole for the CORE Platinum designation because it signifies our commitment to organ donation and helps raise donation awareness. The number of people in need of transplants far exceeds the number of organs, tissues and corneas that are donated. FCMC is happy to play even a small part if it helps people become organ, tissue and cornea donors. Thanks to Alexandria Watkins RN, for leading the Medial Center toward accomplishing this special designation,” said Michael Makosky, President and CEO of Fulton County Medical Center.
Alexandria Watkins, RN, Acute Care Manager and CORE Liaison, attended the 2024 CORE Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Aug. 16 at the Pittsburgh Field Club to accept the recognition.
At the Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, Watkins’ said that her proudest moment of the campaign included being able to hold the Flag Raising Ceremony while also recognizing two staff members. Kayla Smith, RN BSN and Michael Straley, FCMC Foundation, both played an integral part in the ceremony.
Kayla Smith spoke on behalf of her mother, Carol who received a lung transplant in 2022. Michael Straley spoke on behalf of his son, Chris, who saved the lives of multiple individuals by being an organ donor.
Watkins’ role as CORE Liaison includes communicating with CORE staff in reviewing and auditing donor referrals, educating staff members, holding events and overall assisting in increasing the awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation.
In April, which is National Donate Life Month, multiple educational sessions were held for hospital staff, registration events were held for the public and a flag raising ceremony was organized in order to provide awareness to the 7,000 individuals who are currently waiting for a life-saving organ or tissue donation. The events also honored the individuals who selflessly donated organ or tissue to save or aid someone’s life. Through the campaign, three individuals signed up to be organ donors.
HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings said, “HAP commends Pennsylvania hospitals and our partners for their terrific work to support and raise awareness about organ donation. The level of participation in the challenge demonstrates the commitment and dedication hospital teams have for the health of their communities. Increasing the number of organ, eye and tissue donors is critical to helping hospital teams save and improve lives.”
Fulton County Medical Center was one of 118 hospitals statewide that participated in this year’s challenge.
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