HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Midwest Transplant Network has honored four Kansas hospitals, including Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, with the Excellence in Donation Award for its efforts in promoting tissue donations.

The Midwest Transplant Network is headquartered in Westwood, Kan., and works with hospitals in Kansas and the western two-thirds of Missouri.

Rachelle Bryan, RN, Lead Patient Care Supervisor at HRMC, said the tissue donations from HRMC included heart valves, eyes, bones, skin and some veins. Donations were received from 11 patients and, in most cases, included multiple items. As many as 50 tissue items can be retrieved from a single individual.

According to Bryan, not every patient is an eligible tissue donor. Of the eligible donors at HRMC, 41 percent participated in tissue donations, a statistic that ranks above the national average.

“We are available to work with patients and their families who are interested in bringing life to others through organ and tissue donations,” Bryan said.

Ken Johnson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the prestigious award bestowed on HRMC is not the first from the Midwest Transplant Network.

“During the past 43 years, HRMC has been recognized multiple times by the Midwest Transplant Network for our efforts to promote organ donations.”

“During 2015, 30,000 organ transplants were performed in the United States and, unfortunately, 120,000 Americans are on an organ waiting list,” Johnson said. “Hutchinson Regional Medical Center is doing its part to promote organ and tissue donations and is a recognized leader in Kansas for the success our healthcare professionals have achieved in this effort.”

Earlier last week, Saving Sight, a national organization dedicated to cornea transplants, honored HRMC for its efforts in retrieving 22 cornea donations for transplant during 2015.

The Midwest Transplant Network was established in 1973 with a goal of providing quality results in all facets of transplant and procurement services.