VisionFirst presents "Vision" Award to KDH for its exemplary donor program
Contact: Dave Ommen
VisionFirst has presented its "Vision" Award to King's Daughters' Health for its exemplary leadership and commitment to its donor program and the communities it serves.
"King's Daughters' Health has developed a very good donor program ensuring that all patients have the opportunity to become donors," said Alex Van Zant, Director of Professional Services for VisionFirst. "The key to their success has been the nurses in the hospital who understand the impact they have in the lives of others and how the possibility of donation can offer something positive to families who have suffered a loss."
In 2018, King's Daughters' Health was responsible for making a difference in the lives of 14 individuals through the gift of sight. In the past five years, approximately 82 people have had cornea transplants due to the hospital's efforts and the generosity of the community in Madison. This past year, 11 hospitals in Indiana were recognized with the "Vision" Award.
The goal of any donor program, according to Van Zant, is to ensure that every individual and family is presented with the opportunity to become a donor. The caring professionals at King's Daughters' Health have established a program that ensures this while maintaining the dignity of donors and their families.
"These are family members, friends, and neighbors who have had their vision restored thanks to the kindness and dedication shown at King's Daughters' Health," Van Zant said. "We are honored to present this award to KDH for their continued improvement, their dedication to their families, and for their commitment to helping restore vision through corneal transplants."
VisionFirst, a non-profit organization founded by the Lions of Indiana in 1959, is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It shares the gift of sight with thousands of individuals suffering from life-altering vision impairments. As one of the nation's leading eye banks, VisionFirst works with corneal surgeons around the world tho effectively recover and process eye tissue for transplantation and medical research.