This fall, Tennessee Donor Services (TDS) and Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West unveiled a collaborative Donor Care Unit at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West. This first-of- its-kind unit in Tennessee, is designed to better serve organ donors, their families, and transplant recipients.

“We are proud to partner with Tennessee Donor Services in this groundbreaking Donor Care Unit,” said Laurie Oliver, director for transplant services at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital, “This collaborative effort exemplifies our shared commitment to transforming organ transplantation in our community. By providing a dedicated space and specialized resources, we are aligning our mission with the goal of saving more lives through organ donation.”

According to a study from Progress in Transplantation, when donors are transferred to dedicated recovery units, more organs are recovered for transplant than when donors remain in acute care units. 

The Donor Care Unit includes five donor care rooms and an operating room. TDS and Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital teams will work alongside one another to optimize donor care, reducing strain on acute and critical care unit resources throughout middle Tennessee. 

“The Tennessee Donor Services Donor Care Unit at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West is an incredible opportunity to support organ donors and their families,” stated Jill Grandas, executive director at Tennessee Donor Services. “We’re excited to provide this service to our community knowing ultimately, this Donor Care Unit will help us save more lives.”

Organ donors can save as many as eight lives and improve countless others. To learn more about organ donation or register to be an organ donor, visit DonateLifeTN.org.