Lifeline of Ohio Honors Award Winners at Evening with the Stars

The Lifeline of Ohio 2007 hospital and community award winners.

4/4/08 -- Several individuals and institutions were honored Saturday, March 1, 2008 by Lifeline of Ohio for their role in saving lives through organ and tissue donation. Sixteen awards were presented by the federally-designated organ procurement organization at the sixth annual ceremony, “An Evening with the Stars,” in Columbus, Ohio. Each award was introduced by a local individual whose life has been touched by donation and transplantation. Donor mom Faith Tipton-Smith and heart transplant recipient Rachel Ball who met on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition were among the presenters. Rachel is from Lancaster, OH and Lifeline of Ohio helped to facilitate the meeting as part of Faith's home reveal on the March 11, 2007 episode.

THE JOINT COMMISSION accepted the Lifeline of Ohio Legacy Award for championing the effort to improve both access to transplantation, as well as increase opportunities for donors and their loved ones. The Legacy Award was established in 2000 to honor an individual or group who has impacted public policy regarding organ and tissue donation.

The Lifeline of Ohio Infinity Award, honoring a media outlet for a commitment to furthering understanding about organ and tissue donation and stimulating debate about the issues surrounding it through accurate, thorough and consistent reporting, was given to THE CHILLICOTHE GAZETTE.

The Lifeline of Ohio Funeral Director of the Year Award, established in 2003, was presented to DWAYNE SPENCE, with locations in Pickerington and Canal Winchester , as a funeral home who has demonstrated professional excellence in support of donation.

The Lifeline of Ohio Community Partner of the Year Award was presented to, WALGREENS, recognizing a community partner who has made a difference in raising awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation during a Donate Life Month campaign.

The medical professionals receiving awards for their efforts in 2007 included:

ST. RITA’S MEDICAL CENTER – Hospital of the Year Award, presented to a hospital that demonstrates outstanding collaboration to support the mission of donation;

DR. PATRICIA ESCOBAR, Riverside Methodist Hospital – Physician of the Year Award, honors a physician for commitment to organ and tissue donation;

PAUL HELWIG, Mount Carmel East – Liaison of the Year Award, recognizes the dedication and innovation of a hospital liaison in promoting donation;

TAMMY McCHRISTY, Med Center- Mansfield – Clinical Educator of the Year Award, given to a hospital department or individual who has excelled in supporting or educating the hospital staff about organ and tissue donation.

KAY WELLMAN, St. Rita’s Medical Center – Hospital Administrator of the Year Award, recognizes the guidance and direction of a member of a hospital administration team in promoting donation;

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER – Outstanding Hospital Marketing Department Award, acknowledging the comprehensive support of a hospital public relations and marketing department in promoting donation;

LIMA MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM ICU/CCU – Unit of the Year Award, recognizes the outstanding support of a hospital unit; and

AMBER HULSE, Grant Medical Center – Staff Member of the Year Award, for outstanding hospital support that impacts donation.

STEVE BAXTER, Riverside Methodist Hospital – Chaplain of the Year Award, for outstanding support that impacts donation.

Congratulations to all Evening with the Stars award recipients!