Lsp 2015 program final

LIFESAVING

PARTNERS 2015

AWARDS CEREMONY

OCTOBER 9, 2015

WELCOME TO OUR 2015 LIFESAVING PARTNERS AWARDS EVENT Dear Honorees and Special Guests: It truly takes a village—or at least a collection of compassionate, dedicated people—to make donation happen. From educating the public about the importance of organ and tissue donation to caring for grieving families to supporting the donation process, each of you plays a vital role in helping us to carry out our mission: to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation.

Tonight is a night to celebrate you and the work you do to go “above and beyond” to make donation happen and to thank you for keeping hope alive for the thousands of men, women and children who depend on us to once again lead healthy, productive and joyful lives.

Where there is Hope, there is Life: That’s the promise we make to you and the people we serve. Thank you, again, for helping us fulfill that promise each and every day.

J. Kevin Cmunt President/CEO

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MASTER OF CEREMONIES Art Norman

Art Norman is a special contributor to NBC 5 News and a frequent ambassador of the network, making appearances at many community events. His “Making a Difference” segments air weekly and feature extraordinary people making a difference in their communities across the Chicago area. To that end, Art understands the difference one person can make in the lives of so many, as is the case with tonight’s honorees.

Norman began his broadcasting career in 1969 as a television engineer at WCCB-TV in Charlotte, N.C. He became a reporter WPCQ-TV and WSOC-TV, both also in Charlotte, and then a reporter and weekend anchor with Baltimore’s WMAR-TV before coming to Chicago in 1982.

During his career, Art has received many honors for journalistic excellence, including six Chicago Emmy Awards, the prestigious national Investigative Reporters and Editors Award and a 1992-93 Associated Press Award for “Best Investigative Reporting.” His other honors include a 1987 Wilbur Award, a 1984 International Radio and Television News Directors Award and a 1978 School Bell Award from the National Association of Educators. In 1976, Art worked as writer and photographer on the George Foster Peabody Award-winning edition of NBC’s “Weekend Magazine.”

Art’s involvement with the community is extensive. In addition to hosting numerous community events each year, he is a spokesman for the United Negro College Fund and serves as an on-air host of its telethon.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Julie Prangl

Julie Prangl has been a member of the Gift of Hope Donor Family Advisory Council since 2008 and has a unique perspective on the donation process. In 2007, her 17-year-old son, Nicholas, was tragically killed in an auto accident. His organ and tissue gifts have given hope and life to more than 20 people. Julie also is the mother of a recipient. Her daughter, Lindsey, had an ankle tissue transplant in 2008.

“As the mother of both a donor and recipient, I have seen both sides of organ and tissue donation—the joy and the tragedy,” says Julie. “Working with Gift of Hope gives me the opportunity to share my story and increase awareness of the need for these lifesaving gifts. Even though my son is gone, I am still his mom, and working with Gift of Hope gives me an opportunity to speak his name, tell his story and feel like I am still his mom. The Advisory Council has been a godsend. It is a great way to be involved with Gift of Hope and help to shape how things are stated and presented to donor families. My involvement with Gift of Hope has been extremely meaningful. It has helped significantly in my grieving process, and I try to pay that forward through my involvement in the Council.”

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2015 LIFESAVING PARTNERS AWARDS HONOREES Andrew Agos, MD

Medical Director, Trauma Division NorthShore University HealthSystem – Evanston Hospital, Evanston, Ill. Dr. Andrew Agos has been committed to saving lives and supporting families through donation for many years, beginning with his role as a designated requester during his fellowship at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, before joining NorthShore. Since then, he has been an outspoken advocate for and partner in donation, not only with words, but with actions. In 2014, Dr. Agos was a driving force in the success of five organ donation cases at Evanston Hospital that resulted in 14 organs recovered for transplant. Among the cases, one involved a donor who was the father of three children. Dr. Agos not only volunteered to be the declaring physician and personally escorted the donor and the Gift of Hope team safely to the operating room but also took the time to return to the family to provide comfort and support.

Dr. Agos understands the donation process inside and out and has personally driven referrals to Gift of Hope. He is a member of the NSUHS Donation Committee, where he takes the time to ask questions, follow up on referrals and cases and offer ideas on how to improve donation outcomes. Because of his passion to help people and desire to think outside of the box, he was offered and accepted a leadership role in the development of Gift of Hope’s Critical Care Advisory Group. For his unwavering commitment to the gift of organ and tissue donation, Dr. Agos is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Paul Crawford, MD Nephrologist FMC Neomedica, Chicago

For 28 years, Dr. Paul Crawford has worked with Jack Lynch, Director of Community Affairs at Gift of Hope, to communicate the message of organ and tissue donation to the AfricanAmerican community. A nephrologist by profession, he believes dialysis is a bridge to a transplant and that a transplant is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal kidney disease.

Dr. Crawford champions organ and tissue donation by educating his patients. Even more importantly, he ensures his patients are transplant-ready for that all-too-important call. Over the years, Dr. Crawford has continued to make himself available to participate as a subject matter expert and panelist for Gift of Hope initiatives, meetings and conferences. As a champion of organ donation, Dr. Crawford is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

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Karen Danielson

Outreach Director for Muslim American Society of Chicago Mosque Foundation, Bridgeview, Ill. Karen Danielson is a member of Gift of Hope’s Interfaith Advisory Council. The Council was formed two years ago when Gift of Hope President/CEO Kevin Cmunt was inspired by representatives from many faiths who gathered to support organ and tissue donation with Ill. Secretary of State Jesse White. Karen readily agreed to be on the Council and has been instrumental in opening doors and opportunities for Gift of Hope to learn about Islam and to educate the Muslim community about organ and tissue donation. Karen has dedicated many hours helping Gift of Hope develop an educational brochure. The brochure assists Gift of Hope staff when they interact with a Muslim family in a hospital. It is also a tool to help break down barriers and bring the lifesaving message of donation to her faith community.

Karen has been a pioneer in interfaith work and outreach initiatives for a number of local Muslim institutions, including the Mosque Foundation, Muslim American Society of Chicago and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. Karen’s expertise and sensitivity have been invaluable in guiding Gift of Hope in outreach efforts with Muslim families. For that, she is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Sara Danner

Transplant Financial Coordinator Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, Ill. As a Transplant Financial Coordinator, Sara Danner plays an important role in helping patients maneuver the financial landscape as they wait for their lifesaving organ transplants.

In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, she is the co-chair of the Sangamon County Life Goes On Committee. During National Donate Life Month every April, she leads a donor registration drive at Memorial Medical Center. Sara also ensures that the hospital’s float and volunteer walkers are ready for the annual Twilight Parade that kicks off the Illinois State Fair, communicating the importance of organ donation. She also coordinates the Memorial Transplant Service’s 5K Run/Walk each September, an annual fundraiser that supports the Transplant Patient Assistance Fund. In 2014, the event included 375 registrants and raised $12,000 for the Transplant Fund. Every November, Sara is instrumental in partnering with Gift of Hope to offer a Service of Remembrance for donor families during National Donor Sabbath.

For her involvement in these events and more, and for the daily role she plays as a financial advocate for organ and tissue transplant recipients, Sara is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Monica Fox

African-American Task Force Volunteer

Eric Kellogg Mayor, Harvey, Ill.

As a person awaiting a kidney transplant, Monica Fox knows firsthand the importance of organ and tissue donation. To that end, she has been a self-directed driving force in promoting that message in her community since 2013. Monica has galvanized her social organization, the LINKS, and the city of Harvey—namely Mayor Eric Kellogg—to help

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people understand the experience of “waiting.” The face of Gift of Hope’s Waiting campaign, Monica puts a face to organ donation for the south suburbs. She and Mayor Kellogg make a formidable team and champion for organ and tissue donation, speaking about Gift of Hope in bulletins, at City Hall and on Harvey’s cable access channel. The chairman of Gift of Hope’s Mayors for Hope campaign, Mayor Kellogg has brought together his fellow mayors, clergy, business partners and community members on this most important issue that disproportionately impacts minority communities, all while running for re-election. For their passion and commitment to their community’s need for organ and tissue donation, Monica and Mayor Kellogg are recognized as Lifesaving Partners.

Alan Ginzburg, MD

Pulmonologist Illinois Heart & Lung Associates Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, Ill. Known to colleagues and patients as a calming presence, Dr. Alan Ginzburg is a true advocate for organ and tissue donation. Whether he is talking to hospital staff or Gift of Hope representatives, he is always willing to sit down and chat. Dr. Ginzburg is especially helpful in navigating tough cases, such as a recent case involving the new county coroner. The Gift of Hope staff was sensitive to prior issues regarding release for donation and wanted to make sure the coroner understood the case. When the coroner came to the hospital to investigate, Dr. Ginzburg took the time to meet with her, explained why organ donation would not interfere with her investigation and offered to do any tests she needed. Because of his assistance, the coroner not only released the case for organ donation but also seemed to come away with a more positive outlook on donation. For his work as an unsung hero for donation, Dr. Ginzburg is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Elizabeth Gustavsen

ED, RN Educator AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Nancy Davis

RN Supervisor AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates, Ill. Co-chairs for the AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center’s Donation Committee, designated tissue requesters, donation educators, St. Alexius donation policy writers and Hospitals for Hope campaign participants and key contacts, Liz Gustavsen and Nancy Davis are true advocates for organ and tissue donation. They helped form St. Alexius’ Donation Committee seven years ago after a difficult pediatric case through which they recognized the need for staff education and emotional support related to the donation process. The committee includes representatives from across the medical center and has helped make emergency department, pediatric and NICU referrals more commonplace. In addition to supporting the St. Alexius staff, the committee honors organ and tissue donors with a handmade Tree of Life Quilt. Tree leaves are updated with donors’ initials, and donor families attend a memorial service and view the quilt every year. The committee also participates in the Kyle Zuleg

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Foundation’s blanket program in conjunction with St. Alexius’ dignified departure program.

Liz and Nancy have worked with the Gift of Hope Learning Institute to create CME programs focused on St. Alexius’ needs, and they have updated policies to provide support for donation. As the glue that holds the St. Alexius Donation Committee together, Liz and Nancy are recognized as Lifesaving Partners.

Jennifer Jalbert

RN, BSN, CNOR and Gift of Hope OR Liaison Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford, Ill. Jen Jalbert has been a driving force to improve the relationship between Gift of Hope and Rockford Memorial Hospital. In her four years as the hospital’s Gift of Hope liaison, she has made a significant impact, culminating with the hospital’s most successful donation year in the last decade. Jen is a fully participating member of the Hospital Donation Committee. She has instituted mandatory donation after circulatory death training for all operating room staff, and she has advocated to the staff on behalf of Gift of Hope and families of donors, which has positively impacted staff opinion of donation. Jen has updated policies that advocate for families, staff and Gift of Hope, and she was instrumental in changing many hospital policies to make more donations possible. Lastly and most importantly, Rockford Memorial referred and participated in 17 organ donor cases in 2014, yielding 59 transplanted organs. For her tireless commitment to the gift of donation, Jen is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Janet Kimsey

Charge Nurse, ICU – 6th Floor Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago In 2012, when Gift of Hope conducted a donation education program in Swedish Covenant’s ICU to help increase donations and improve departmental opinion about donation, charge nurse Janet Kimsey instantly took ownership of the process. Rather than just follow instructions, she personally ensured that the nurses called in all referrals, took time to ask questions and reviewed referral outcomes with a Gift of Hope Donation Coordinator to understand how the process could be further improved. The results have been astounding.

In 2013, referrals from Swedish Covenant quadrupled, with one successful organ donation outcome. In 2014, that number increased to three successful donation outcomes. In first six months of 2015, the hospital has had another three donors. Even more impressive, the hospital has not experienced a missed or late referral since 2012, and the increase in referrals remains consistent. Janet does not allow internal obstacles to affect donation and proactively stands up to management and leadership to advocate for support. She has pride and passion for the work she does with Gift of Hope to heal donor families and recipients and has instilled that culture among her peers in the ICU. For the difference she has made in the lives of her patients and so many others, Janet is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

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Lisa Kuntz

Social Worker III University of Chicago Medicine – Comer Children’s Hospital, Chicago A social worker at University of Chicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital, Lisa Kuntz is a committed donation advocate who has done a spectacular job incorporating donation into the end-of-life options offered to parents and guardians. Even in the most dire of circumstances and among traditionally marginalized populations, Lisa has succeeded in making donation a real, natural and meaningful choice for these families. For her commitment to making donation possible in seemingly impossible situations, Lisa is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Troy Nelmark

Nurse Manager – Nursing Support Services Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago Before coming to Chicago, Troy Nelmark was familiar with organ and tissue donation through his work with the Veterans Administration in Detroit. He regularly worked with its local organ procurement organization to refer potential donors. But, because the VA hospitals weren’t required to participate in organ and tissue donation programs, Troy experienced considerable pushback at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Not one to give up easily, he reached out to Gift of Hope and set up meetings with JBVA’s administration to explain the donation programs and protocols. Troy helped rewrite policies that require hospital staff to refer patients when they meet clinical triggers. He set up education programs for nurses, and he has monitored deaths at JBVA to ensure that all deaths and imminent deaths are being referred to Gift of Hope timely. In essence, Troy has taken ownership of the entire donation process at JBVA and is responsible for all referrals from the facility. His work at JBVA has inspired Hines VA Hospital to follow suit, and it has recently approved a new, workable donation policy that closely mirrors the one at JBVA. For his work to bring the gift of donation to JBVA in Chicago, Troy is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Courtney Stear

OSF Constant Care eICU Team OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Ill. The OSF Constant Care eICU team has been a tremendous partner to Gift of Hope and donation, in large part because of the commitment of Courtney Stear. When donation statistics at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center were well below average at the end of 2012, Courtney and the eICU team began working with Gift of Hope to develop an education program and initiate a change to the electronic medical record system that now allows all ICUs at OSF Saint Francis to work through the eICU to make referrals to Gift of Hope when patients meet referral criteria. This change has reduced timing issues by 66 percent and missed referrals by 30 percent. The eICU team now accounts for almost half of all referrals made to Gift of Hope in 2014 and 2015 and calls in approximately 90 percent of all potential organ donation referrals. In addition, the eICU has expressed interest in more education and additional guidelines. The result is a genuine partnership and a commitment by the entire eICU team to ensure that every opportunity for organ and tissue donation is successful. For all of these reasons, the OSF Constant Care eICU team is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

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LouEster Petty

Volunteer President Gift of Hope African-American Task Force For the past 28 years, LouEster Petty has been a tireless advocate for organ and tissue donation. Starting out as a donor family member, she quickly rose to become Volunteer President of Gift of Hope’s African-American Task Force. She instituted the chapter system that has led to the formation of seven AATF chapters in Gift of Hope’s designated service area and the recruitment of more than 150 volunteers to join the AATF. LouEster’s passion about and commitment to organ and tissue donation is evident in her ability to work a full-time position at University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, while working tirelessly to promote organ and tissue donation at more than 300 events a year for the past 20 years.

Under her leadership, the AATF has become the gold standard in the organ procurement organization industry. People from all over the nation come to Chicago to learn from LouEster and Jack Lynch, Director of Community Affairs for Gift of Hope, on how to implement an AATF in their own OPOs. LouEster not only promotes organ and tissue donation in Chicago but she is a much-sought-after resource for multicultural associations. For her decades of dedication and leadership in communicating the message of organ and tissue donation, LouEster is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Julia Rietz

Champaign County State’s Attorney Urbana, Ill. Julia Rietz has gone above and beyond to support organ donation in Champaign County. She has worked to bring education to the local coroner and law enforcement agencies, creating a bridge between those agencies and Gift of Hope to promote mutual understanding. Since Julia’s involvement, there have been no coroner refusals, and the working relationships among Gift of Hope, the Champaign County Coroner and local law enforcement has greatly improved. For her work to save more lives, Julia is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

Elizabeth Schupp, MD

Pulmonologist Unity Point Health Trinity – Rock Island, Ill. As the attending physician on most of the donor cases at Unity Point Health Trinity, Dr. Elizabeth Schupp has been very proactive about donor management. She builds trust with families in such a compassionate way that they feel empathy toward others and choose donation. Before her current position as pulmonologist, she was a registered nurse, working in hospice care. When she became a physician, she worked in palliative care before beginning her work as attending physician in the ICU. Dr. Schupp is highly knowledgeable, hands on and jumps right in to help with whatever is needed, whether it’s making a phone call to radiology or offering a box of tissues to a family. For her compassionate commitment to organ and tissue donation, Dr. Schupp is recognized as a Lifesaving Partner.

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DONATION ADVOCACY PROGRAMS & COUNCILS African-American Task Force

The African-American Task Force educates the African-American community about donation and transplantation. Members are transplant recipients, family and friends of donors, health care professionals and others with an interest in promoting organ and tissue donation.

Through its various chapters—Chicago, North Shore, South Suburban, West Suburban, Northwest Indiana, Rockford and Central Illinois—the AATF works closely with Gift of Hope to plan and coordinate ongoing programs and donor education for civic groups, churches and other organizations.

Donor Family Advisory Council

The Donor Family Advisory Council guides Gift of Hope in the ongoing enhancement of its aftercare support, services and programs for families of organ, eye and tissue donors. Council members—all of whom are family members of organ, eye and tissue donors—also work to help plan and offer special events for families to honor their loved ones. Together, they work to honor legacies and motivate others to embrace donation.

Hospital Donation Committees

Hospital Donation Committees are in place at many hospitals in Gift of Hope’s service area and partner with Gift of Hope to increase organ and tissue donation rates. Their collaborative efforts create systems that provide for ongoing staff education, early identification, timely referral, helpful family discussions and ongoing support—all to ensure a successful donation process for potential organ and tissue donors. The committees work to establish a health care culture and environment that is conducive to saving and enhancing the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation.

Kyle Zuleg Foundation

The Kyle Zuleg Foundation supports organ donor families in memory of 16-year-old Kyle Zuleg, whose organ donation after his sudden death saved the lives of five people. The Foundation provides blankets monogrammed “Forever in Our Hearts” to families at hospital bedsides while their loved ones are prepared to offer the gift of life. Additionally, a Kyle Zuleg Foundation Scholarship is awarded annually to a student pursuing media communications in memory of Kyle’s aspiration to become a sports broadcaster.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2015 LIFESAVING PARTNERS Gift of Hope’s Lifesaving Partners Awards honor the “best of the best” in organ and tissue donation—people and organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty to make donation happen. They are dedicated individuals and organizations that set the standard— and so often surpass it—in saving and enhancing the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation.

SPECIAL THANKS Gift of Hope Lifesaving Partners Awards Committee Gregory Alford

Director of Communications and Marketing

Susan Cochran

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Donna Ferrante

Financial and Project Analyst

Nesha Logan

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Therese Michels

Manager of Communications and Marketing

Veronica Moreno Public Relations Assistant

Lisa Palmer

Donation Coordinator

Diane Schmitz

Volunteer and Special Events Supervisor

Susan Shapiro Donation Coordinator

Marion Shuck

Manager of Community Affairs

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