HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals are proud to have received platinum recognition from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for outstanding efforts to promote organ, tissue and eye donation, and increase enrollment in the Wisconsin donation program.
This is the first time the hospitals have achieved the highest level of recognition for work done in our communities to increase awareness of the need for organ donation. Previously, the hospitals had achieved gold level recognition.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS), nearly 114,000 people are on the national waiting list for a transplant, including more than 2,000 men, women and children in Wisconsin. WDHS also says, unfortunately 22 people die each day while waiting for a transplant.
The organ donation committee at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals includes colleagues from multiple departments, including emergency, respiratory, critical care, surgical services, spiritual care, palliative care and education. Anne Pretasky, committee chair and manager of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital’s critical care unit, says this designation is personally and professionally important.
“This recognition is about the promotional work we do every day to encourage colleagues and community members to become donors or include organ, tissue and eye donation directives in their legal health care power of attorney documents,” she said.
Besides regularly speaking with patients, families and colleagues about the need, participating in community awareness events, and directing people to the donation registry, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital holds a flag raising ceremony each April during National Donate Life Month to heighten awareness and share statistics about donation.
Currently, more than 3 million Wisconsin residents have said yes to organ, tissue and eye donation registration. Just one donor can save and improve the lives of more than 75 people.
To register or learn more about organ, tissue and eye donation visit
Donate Life Wisconsin. You can also complete the free registration at your local Department of Motor Vehicles center or by mail through the
Wisconsin Department of Health Services.