Allegheny General Hospital was named top performing hospital in the state, Jefferson Hospital also listed among top three

PITTSBURGH – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is once again receiving statewide recognition for its efforts to support and raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation as the top-performing health system in Western PA for HAP’s 2024 Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge. AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) and AHN Jefferson Hospital were also named top-performing hospitals in the region as part of the challenge, with the hospitals receiving first and third place awards respectively.

Through this annual challenge, HAP recognizes the efforts of health care providers who lead effective campaigns to increase organ 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.

This year, 118 hospitals statewide participated in the challenge. Participating hospitals’ Donate Life Month activities are captured on a scorecard and assigned titanium, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze level recognitions based on their scope, scale and ultimate success at increasing the number of registered organ donors.

A total of 11 AHN hospitals were recognized through the challenge with titanium or platinum designations, including AHN’s, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harmar Neighborhood Hospital, Canonsburg Hospital, Forbes Hospital, Grove City Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, West Penn Hospital and Wexford Hospital in the Pittsburgh region; and Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pa.

“We thank CORE for their partnership in raising awareness around the critical importance of organ donation across our communities and applaud the care teams and staff across the network for earning these top distinctions,” said Sri Chalikonda, MD, chair, AHN Surgery Institute.

This year, AHN hosted ten flag raising ceremonies, one rose garden ceremony, and one donor memorial ceremony across its 10 participating hospitals. Clinicians and caregivers at AGH also hosted the second annual ceremonial honor walk, paying tribute to nearly 100 members of organ donor families who gave the lifesaving gift of organ donation. In total, AHN registered more than 460 new organ donors in April thanks to its efforts.

"We are deeply honored to partner with so many committed hospitals across Pennsylvania in the HAP Donate Life Hospital Challenge," said CORE President and CEO, Susan Stuart. "This year’s record participation is a testament to the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to advocate for organ, tissue, and cornea donation.”

According to CORE, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a transplant to save their lives. In Pennsylvania alone, more than 7,000 people are on the waiting list.

To view a full listing of award winners, visit www.haponline.org.