Baxter Health Recognized with Silver Award by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Organ Donation Advocacy Efforts

Baxter Health is proud to announce it has received the Silver Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in recognition of its commitment to creating donation-friendly workplace communities and promoting the vital cause of organ donation.

In 2024, Baxter Health joined hospitals across the country in a unified mission to educate and engage employees and the broader community about the critical need for organ donors. Today, more than 100,000 individuals remain on the national transplant waiting list — including over 300 Arkansans. Every day, 13 people die waiting for a lifesaving organ, and another person is added to the list every eight minutes.

Baxter Health has honored this mission through honor walks, community events, and awareness programs, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations around donation and remembrance. These efforts led to 275 referrals, 20 tissue donors, and support for 21 families.

Baxter Health’s collaboration with Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA), a leading organ and tissue donation organization, continues to deepen its impact and strengthen its commitment to honoring the gift of life.

“We are humbled and inspired by the lives touched through our partnership with ARORA,” said Tammy Hodges, RN, Trauma Program Manager/Stroke Coordinator. “This award is a reflection of our dedicated staff and the generous families who have said ‘yes’ to donation, giving hope to others in the face of loss.”

For more information about becoming an organ donor or to learn more about Baxter Health’s donation advocacy, please visit https://arora.org/.