MEDAL OF HONOR FOR ORGAN DONATION

We received the Medal of Honor for the fourth year in a row.

For the fourth consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recognized The University of Kansas Hospital's commitment to organ donation with its Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor recognizes hospitals that achieve at least a 75 percent organ donation rate from eligible donor families in a consecutive 12-month period. Former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson created the prestigious award as part of a national organ donation initiative launched in April 2001.

The hospital has begun to formally recognize when an organ donor has given the gift of life to a patient. A special flag is hung in the lobby for 24 hours after an organ donation is made, signifying a family has transcended their grief and loss to save the lives of others.