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

Baxter Health is proud to announce it has received the Platinum 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 2025, 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 108,000 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.

However, in 2025, more than 27,000 transplants were performed, bringing new life to recipients and their families.

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 333 referrals; 18 tissue and eye donors, restoring sight and saving lives for more than 1,300 people; and one organ donor, resulting in four organs transplanted and four lives saved.

Baxter Health’s collaboration with Southern Legacy of Life, the state’s organ procurement organization, continues to deepen its impact and strengthen its commitment to honoring the gift of life.

“We are deeply honored by the lives touched through our partnership with Southern Legacy of Life,” said Rachel Gilbert, MSN, RN, VP/Chief Nursing Officer at Baxter Health. “This recognition reflects the compassion and dedication of our staff, as well as the extraordinary generosity of families who say ‘yes’ to donation, offering hope and healing to others during moments of profound loss.”

“This recognition speaks to Baxter Health’s deep commitment to honoring donors and their families while advancing lifesaving opportunities for patients in need,” said Amelia Nabholz, Director of Hospital Development at Southern Legacy of Life.

For more information about becoming an organ donor or to learn more about Baxter Health’s donation advocacy efforts, please visithttps://WeRestoreLives.org.