Southwest Transplant Alliance and First Baptist Medical Center Partner to Save Lives During COVID-19 Crisis
DALLAS – April 15, 2020 - Today, Southwest Transplant Alliance and First Baptist Medical Center (FBMC) announced a partnership to support organ and tissue donation in the wake of the COVID-19 healthcare crisis. Hospitals need every ICU bed, ventilator, nurse and doctor to support critically ill patients, but patients waiting for a transplant can’t wait. So that organ donation and transplantation can continue without disrupting hospitals during this unprecedented pandemic, Southwest Transplant Alliance will transfer organ and tissue donors from the hospital environment to the FBMC surgical specialty hospital in Dallas for donor management, organ allocation and the organ and tissue recovery process.
“This partnership is a silver lining during an otherwise very dark time for the healthcare industry. It’s my hope that while hospitals focus on providing critical care, we are able to protect organ recovery professionals, transplant teams and the very precious gift of life that potential organ and tissue donors can provide,” said President and CEO of Southwest Transplant Alliance Patti Niles.
COVID-19 has created new hurdles in every corner of healthcare. Currently, FBMC is unable to perform elective surgeries under new federal regulations. The partnership with Southwest Transplant Alliance allows the hospital and its staff to work shoulder to shoulder with organ recovery professionals and transplant teams to be a part of providing lifesaving and life-enhancing medical procedures.
“Our primary mission is to provide the highest standards of care possible to the community, and this partnership with Southwest Transplant Alliance allows us to continue that mission,” said CEO Harold Gaskill, MD of First Baptist Medical Center. “This partnership keeps our team engaged and productive during a time when we would otherwise be limited by the current moratorium on elective surgery. First Baptist Medical Center is grateful to be a part of the Southwest Transplant Alliance team and their mission to save lives.”
Currently, more than 112,000 people in the United States, including 10,000 in Texas, are awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant. Industry-wide innovation and improvements are key to addressing the need, but the public plays a key role as well. Individuals who wish to leave a legacy through organ, eye and tissue donation or contribute to this life-saving work are encouraged to register through Donate Life Texas, share their decision with their family, and visit www.organ.org for more information. To provide financial support for unexpected financial challenges surrounding COVID-19 contribute to the Southwest Transplant Alliance Foundation’s emergency relief fund by visiting www.organ.org/foundation.