Capital Region was one of only seven hospitals in Missouri and Kansas to receive the award for both organ and tissue donation excellence

The Midwest Transplant Network honored Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City at its annual Excellence in Organ and Tissue Donation Awards held on April 23.

Capital Region Medical Center received the Organ and Tissue Donation Excellence Award for a higher-than-average number of families granting authorization for organ and tissue donation throughout 2023. Midwest Transplant Network collaborates with 250 hospitals in Kansas and the western two-thirds of Missouri and Capital Region was one of only seven hospitals to receive the award for both organ and tissue excellence.

“I am so proud of the dedication and hard work of our team to meet our goals,” said Debra Deeken, chief nursing officer at Capital Region Medical Center. “We didn’t miss a single opportunity in 2023 to help partner with families to ensure their loved one’s legacy would live on in someone else through the gift of organ donation.”

In addition to the hospital award, MU Health Care certified surgical tech Olivia Zhang was also recognized for her outstanding work in supporting organ and tissue donation at University Hospital in Columbia.

The Midwest Transplant Network recognizes its partners in saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donation by presenting the annual Excellence in Donation Awards to hospitals, individuals and organizations across its region.