UP Health System – Marquette Honored for Maximizing the Gift of Life

From left: Medical Director Dr. Nikole Neidlinger; UPHS – Marquette Hospital Supervisor Bronwyn Roell, RN; ICU/IMCU Clinical Manager Cherlynn Erickson, RN; and UW OTD Director Mike Anderson. The 2023 winners were honored during a ceremony on May 9 in Madison WI. 

UP Health System – Marquette (UPHS – Marquette) is among 21 hospitals recognized by the University of Wisconsin (UW) Organ and Tissue Donation this year for an ongoing commitment to saving and improving lives through organ and tissue donation.

UW Organ and Tissue Donation is a federally designated organ procurement organization serving more than 100 hospitals in Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. Each year, the organization presents four different awards to hospitals and staff for excellence in maximizing the gift of life.

The UW Organ and Tissue Donation Award of Hope recognizes the comprehensive work of hospitals that achieve or exceed goals that maximize organ donation. The award is based on two measurements. One is the true conversion rate, which calculates the percentage of medically-eligible donors who become actual donors. The other measurement is organs transplanted per donor, which evaluates the average number of organs recovered from each donor. Hospitals can earn a gold, silver or bronze Award of Hope. A rate of organs transplanted per donor of 3.25 earns a bronze award, a true conversion rate of at least 75 percent earns a silver award, and meeting both metrics earns a gold award.

“Hospitals play a pivotal role in the lifesaving journey of organ donation and transplantation through their compassionate care for donor heroes and the exceptional support of donor families,” said Michael Anderson, executive director, UW Organ and Tissue Donation. “We honor these hospitals and their incredible care teams for working so hard to help ensure that those who are waiting for a transplant will get a second chance at life.”

UPHS – Marquette partners with UW Organ and Tissue Donation to provide the best possible support for families and care for patients who give the precious gift of life. In 2021, our hospital helped honor the wishes of eight donor patients, providing 16 organs to 14 patients awaiting transplants.

"The Bronze Award of Hope recognizes the extensive work of the care team to facilitate organ donation with compassion and efficiency. Organ donation decisions come at a time of profound sadness and stress for families. That's why it's so important for individuals to learn about donation and make their wishes known before the unthinkable occurs," said Hospital Supervisor Bronwyn Roell, RN. 

One person has the power to save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal 75 more through eye and tissue donation. To learn more or register in Michigan, go to GiftofLifeMichigan.org. To sign up on a different state registry, visit DonateLife.net.