NYC Gazette

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway was honored for its contributions to organ donation at an appreciation event organized by LiveOnNY. The event, which took place on March 4 at the Episcopal Health Services (EHS) Clinical Learning Center, highlighted the hospital's efforts and achievements in advocacy, donation, and transplantation.

Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer of EHS, addressed attendees, acknowledging the significance of organ donation. “Organ donation is not just a medical procedure; it is one of the most profound expressions of generosity and compassion. Each act of donation not only saves lives but also offers solace to families, ensuring that their loved one’s legacy endures through the lives of others,” he noted. Dr. Morrish accepted LiveOnNY’s Donor Advocate Award on behalf of the hospital.

LiveOnNY team members, including Leonard Achan, President and CEO, and Abraham Warshaw, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, lauded the hospital team for achieving a 500% increase in organ donation over three years. “You are part of a big story – one that’s resulted in 4,000 people over the past three years living who may not have – thanks to the gift of donation and transplantation,” Achan emphasized.

The event also showcased personal accounts from heart transplant recipient Christine Shaver and Wajana Pagan, a member of a donor family. Their stories underscored the transformative impact of organ donation.

Several team members from St. John’s Episcopal Hospital received recognition for their advocacy efforts. Among them were registered nurses Cheray Small Adelaja and Emil Domingo and others such as Tessy Peter, MD, and Bevin Mathew, Director of Quality Management at EHS. Karen Paige, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of EHS, highlighted the importance of honoring patients’ wishes in organ donation. “When we honor the wishes of a patient and their family, we bring dignity to their decision and hope to those in need,” she said.

Episcopal Health Services, the parent organization of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, is situated on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York, providing comprehensive healthcare services to the local population.