North Oaks' Efforts to Encourage Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Registrations Nationally Recognized

For the third consecutive year, North Oaks Health System has earned platinum recognition for efforts to increase organ, eye and tissue donor registrations across the state through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. Pictured accepting the award at center is North Oaks Chief Medical Officer Robert Peltier, M.D., from Susana Ruddock, external engagement coordinator for the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA). Also participating in the award presentation, from left, are LOPA Representative Laura LeGuinn and North Oaks Volunteer/Foundation Director Staci Arceneaux, Shock Trauma Program Manager Jodi Gennusa and Pastoral Care Director/Chaplain Keith Kincaid.

The WPFL 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 to spread the word about the importance of donation.

Between October 2020 and April 2021, North Oaks participated in HRSA’s WPFL Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. The program challenges hospitals and health care organizations to “let life bloom” by educating their staff, patients, visitors and communities about the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donation. North Oaks completed awareness and registry activities to prompt new donor registrations during the campaign period.

By working with LOPA (Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency) and the Louisiana Hospital Association to leverage its outreach efforts, North Oaks was one of more than 1,657 organizations to participate in the 2021 campaign while also navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The partnership between LOPA and North Oaks is vital to our shared goals of saving and healing lives,” affirms North Oaks’ Shock Trauma Program Manager Jodi Gennusa, MSN, BSN, RN. “This recognition reinforces the importance and necessity of organ donation in today’s world.” Every ten minutes, another person is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list, reaffirming the critical and growing need for registered organ, eye and tissue donors.

This 2021 Hospital Organ Donation Campaign added more than 27,386 registrations to state registries. The campaign has generated more than 579,412 registrations since its inception in 2011 and unites donation advocates at hospitals with representatives from their local organ procurement organizations, Donate Life America affiliates, and state and regional hospital associations.

“North Oaks’ platinum recognition exemplifies their staff’s engagement,” notes Susana Ruddock, who is external engagement coordinator for LOPA. “The collaboration between North Oaks and LOPA is essential to saving lives. Working together to educate hospital staff, patients and the community about organ donation is an important aspect of our partnership.”

For more information about the hospital campaign, visit www.organdonor.gov/hospitals. To sign up as a donor, click here. To view the full list of healthcare organizations recognized nationwide by HRSA, click here.