Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie  earned the Silver Medal of Honor for Organ Donation and Transplantation for the second time in three years.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials presented awards to 404 hospitals, 38 organ procurement organizations and 174 transplant programs. Hospital representatives are awarded for reaching national goals for donation with a rate of 75 percent or more collaborative conversion rate and a 10 percent or higher donation after circulatory determination of death, meaning 3.75 or more organs transplanted per donor or greater.
“This award is possible because of all the hard work and dedication our team has to bringing the ”˜gift of life”™ to so many,” said Janet Ready, president of Vassar Brothers Medical Center, in a press release. “Our physicians, nurses, and staff realize the importance of this life-saving measure, and make it a goal to educate the public about the importance of becoming an organ donor through a variety of efforts all year long. We are very proud to have received this award.”
