National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop

July 20-22, 2007

Renaissance Hotel

Washington, DC

The Federal Government's National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop (NDRCW) pays tribute to and honors the gift of life from America’s deceased and living donors and donor families. The ceremony includes tributes to donors and donor families from transplant recipients, government officials, and others. The educational program provides relevant workshops and support sessions to help donor families, living donors, their family and friends, and donation professionals cope successfully with the donation processes and outcomes.

The tenth National Donor Recognition Ceremony and Workshop will take place in our Nation's capital on July 20-22, 2007.

This biennial event, held in odd-numbered years, is sponsored by the Health Resources & Services Administration of the United States Department of Health & Human Services.

There is no registration fee for the NDRCW workshops and ceremony; however, pre-registration is required for the Friday and Saturday workshops and sharing sessions in order that adequate facilities and facilitators can be provided. All arrangements and expenses associated with travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals are the responsibility of the participants and/or sponsor. Organ donation organizations – as well as other organizations- may sponsor a donor or donor family so that they can visit Washington DC for the ceremony. Transplant recipients are invited to attend the Sunday ceremony to join in celebrating the altruism and generosity of those who have donated life.

If you would like more information about the NDRCW, please call Joy Demas at the Division of Transplantation at 301-443-7577, contact the National Donor Family Council of the National Kidney Foundation at donorfamily@kidney.org or 800-622-9010 or contact Michelle Lester of the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network at michelle_lester@urmc.rochester.edu or at 315-428-8500.

Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network Names New Executive Director

Rob Kochik has been appointed executive director of the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, the organ procurement organization affiliated with the University of Rochester Medical Center and SUNY Upstate Medical University that serves 394 hospitals in Western, Central and Northern New Yorkthe Finger Lakes and Central New York regions. He begins this month.

Kochik has extensive experience with organ procurement organizations, most recently serving with the New York Organ Donor Network as director of donor referral and recovery services, and prior to that as the group’s director of clinical operations. He also has worked with the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation and the Delaware Valley Transplant Program (now the Gift of Life Donor Program).

Kochik began his career in the field of nursing, and has nursing degrees from the University of Maryland - Baltimore County, and the Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital School of Nursing. He also did graduate Health Care Administration coursework at Widener University.

“We are pleased to welcome Rob to Upstate New York,” said Kathy Parrinello, chief operating officer for Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester Medical Center and head of the search committee that chose Kochik. “His valuable experience in organ procurement will benefit the organization, which helps so many people each year who need life-saving transplants.”

As executive director of the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, Kochik will be responsible for the overall direction, leadership and administration of the organization. He will work closely with medical directors and administrators at regional hospitals to ensure programs, processes and procedures are implemented to maximize and increase donation.

The Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network covers 19 counties with a population of 2.4 million, and serves 44 39 hospitals and the University of Rochester Medical Center and SUNY Upstate Medical University transplant centers.

Medical Center Awarded Medal of Honor

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

ELMIRA, NY — Arnot Ogden Medical Center was recently a recipient of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) distinguished Medal of Honor. This award is given to those hospitals that achieve and exceed a life-saving organ donation rate of 75 percent or greater in a 12-month period. Arnot Ogden Medical Center is among 318 hospitals nationwide receiving the HHS Medal of Honor, and one of only fifteen honored in New York State.

Greg Finch, Director of Medical Social Work at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, along with staff from Finger Lakes Donor Recovery accepted the award from acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugu, MD, MDH. Finch commented, “this recognition is the result of the commitment of the medical staff at Arnot Ogden Medical Center to saving lives. We are happy we can do our part to close the gap between patients on an organ waiting list and organs available for transplantation.”

Each day in the United States, 74 people receive a donated organ. At the same time, 19 others will die waiting for transplants that can’t take place because of a shortage of donated organs. People of all ages may be organ and tissue donors, and Arnot Ogden Medical Center encourages everyone to consider organ donation. The Finger Lakes Organ Donor Network suggests simple steps for potential organ donors. To become a donor you can, sign the section on the back of your New York State driver's license where you agree to make an "anatomical gift,” enter your name on the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry at www.health.state.ny.use/nysdoh/donor/agreement, and most importantly, be sure to discuss you organ and tissue donation wishes with your family.