SBUMC Celebrates Organ and Tissue Donation Month

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER CELEBRATES ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATIONS

STONY BROOK, N.Y., May 1, 2009 - Stony Brook University Medical Center celebrated the team that has been working

diligently to improve organ and tissue donation processes, which has resulted in making it a leader within the region. Family members of people who have donated the 'Gift of Life' and those who have received that gift were on hand to speak about their experience in a way that will have a lasting impact. Standing from Left to right are Ken Olmer, RN  Assistant Director of Nursing,  Michael McClain, Chair of SBUMC's Organ Donation Committee, Elaine Berg, CEO, New York Organ Donor Network; David Bekofsky, Administrator of SBUMC's Kidney Transplant Program; Arturo Casalotta, kidney transplant recipient; Katie Kopka, whose husband Tom made his organ donation wishes strongly known to her during their 18 year marriage; Patricia Hautsch, whose 17 year old son Ryan signed the "anatomical gift" section of his driver license as soon as he passed his driving test; and Barbara McByrne, whose sister, Patricia Crispino, decided that her 25 year old son's organs should be donated, Dr. Steven Strongwater, CEO, Stony Brook University Hospital , Margaret Gallagher of the New York Organ Donor Network, and Reverend Steven Unger, Director of Pastoral Care at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

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