JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dozens of local organ donors were honored for their life-saving decisions on Wednesday.
Forty one patients became organ donors at UF Health Jacksonville this past year and the hospital has received national recognition for its organ donation accomplishments.
"It's really like a healing zone for our critical care nursing staff caring, for someone and their family who is giving the gift of life is not only technically very challenging but emotionally draining," said Cynthia Gerdik from the Critical Care and Trauma Flight Program at UF Health Jacksonville.
"I think it's a great thing to have people sign up as organ donors and I encourage them to do so," said UF Health trauma medical director Andy Kerwin.
Kerwin and Cynthia Gerdik work side-by-side in the critical care and trauma department at UF Health. He says the giving tree is a reminder of how rewarding his job can be. Each leaf on the tree has the name of an adult donor and a butterfly with the names of kids. They represent those who gave the ultimate gift, the gift of life.
"It's really a positive influence on the patients and the families and employees it's such a tragic time when this happens and then it gets turned around to something so good for so many people, that really influences the staff," said Kerwin. "Nurses come down and touch a leaf or butterfly and remember those moments they cared for that person and their family… it touches us in so many ways emotionally. It helps us to deal with the impact of what's happened to the patient and family and to see this gift of life that's passed on"
One of the hospital's own doctors who is also a double lung transplant recipient was the keynote speaker at Wednesday's ceremony.