Georgian Bay General Hospital Awarded for Championing Organ and Tissue Donation
Midland, ON – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) was recently recognized by Trillium Gift of Life Network for its exceptional efforts to support organ and tissue donation as part of compassionate end-of-life care in 2024/25.
GBGH was presented with Hospital Achievement Award – Provincial Eligible Approach Rate awarded to hospital partners for demonstrating leading practices by facilitating a donation discussion with eligible patients/families of patients at end of life.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this provincial recognition from Trillium Gift of Life Network. It reflects the compassion, professionalism, and dedication of our team at GBGH, who ensure that every opportunity for organ and tissue donation is approached with care and respect. Supporting patients and families in honouring their end‑of‑life wishes is a profound responsibility, and we are committed to fostering a culture where donation is understood as a meaningful and life‑saving gift.” stated Linda Gravel, Vice President, Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Executive at GBGH.
GBGH is one of 50 hospital partners across the province to be awarded a 2024/25 Trillium Gift of Life Network Hospital Achievement Award. This marks the largest number of hospitals ever honoured in the history of the awards.
“This year’s record level of recognition is a testament to the dedicated, patient-centred care provided by GBGH’s healthcare team as they honour and support the decisions of patients and their families to donate,” said Janet MacLean, Interim Vice-President, TGLN. “It also reflects the deep commitment of Ontario hospitals to fostering a culture where organ and tissue donation is a natural and meaningful part of end-of-life care.”
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Each year, the Hospital Achievement Awards recognize hospital partners that meet or exceed Ontario’s targets in key areas of the donation process.
“Behind each award is a team of dedicated healthcare professionals who ensure that every opportunity for donation is thoughtfully considered, and that families are supported in honouring their loved one’s end-of-life wishes,” said Dr. Andrew Healey, Provincial Medical Director – Donation, TGLN. “Trust begins at the door of the hospital, where patients first receive active care. The compassion and commitment shown throughout a patient’s journey profoundly shape the possibility of donation. It’s the care at every stage that makes donation possible.”
WHY DONATION MATTERS
Did you know? One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and a single tissue donor can improve the lives of up to 75 people. Yet right now there are 1,627 Ontarians on the transplant waitlist in need of an organ to save their life—while thousands more are waiting for tissue donations.
Despite this need, only 35 per cent of eligible Ontarians are currently registered as organ and tissue donors—that means more than 9 million Ontarians are still not registered. Anyone 16 years or older with a valid Ontario health card can register at beadonor.ca or in person at any ServiceOntario location during a visit to renew your health card or driver’s license.
Just as important as registering is talking to your family about your wishes. When a person has both registered their consent and discussed their decision with their families, their loved ones can confidently move forward in fulfilling those wishes without doubt or uncertainty of their wishes.
Photo caption: Members of GBGH’s TGLN Committee — from left to right: Julianne Labelle, Director of Clinical Services; Nicole Lefaive, Professional Practice Leader; Felicia Morden, Manager of the Emergency Department and ICU; and April Cross, Team Lead, ICU — accept the Trillium Gift of Life Network Hospital Achievement Award for Provincial Eligible Approach Rate.