Lakeridge Health has been recognized as a provincial leader in organ and tissue donation, earning two honours that highlight its commitment to compassionate, life-saving care across Durham Region.
The hospital network received the awards from Ontario Health’s Trillium Gift of Life Network as part of the 2024–2025 Hospital Achievement Awards. Lakeridge Health was presented with the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award for achieving a 100 per cent approach rate, along with a second consecutive Award of Excellence for meeting or exceeding provincial donation targets for four or more consecutive years.
The recognition reflects the work of Lakeridge Health’s Critical Care teams, who ensure that families of eligible patients are compassionately offered the opportunity to consider organ donation.
“Lakeridge Health is proud to be one of Ontario’s leading community hospital systems for organ and tissue donation,” said Dr. Karim Soliman, Critical Care Chief at Lakeridge Health. “In moments defined by grief and uncertainty, it is the compassion and generosity of families, combined with the humanity and clinical excellence of our teams, that help save lives.”
During the 2024–2025 period, Lakeridge Health facilitated 10 organ donors, resulting in 30 transplanted organs that saved 23 lives across Ontario. Five donors came from the Ajax-Pickering Hospital Critical Care Unit, with five more from Oshawa’s Critical Care Unit.
In addition to organ donation, Lakeridge Health supported 105 tissue donors, significantly improving quality of life for patients across the province. The organization also continues to lead Ontario in eye donation, with nearly 800 people potentially regaining sight this year alone.
Tissue donation contributions by site included:
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Ajax-Pickering Hospital: 17 donors
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Perry Hospital: 5 donors
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Bowmanville Hospital: 13 donors
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Oshawa Hospital: 70 donors
“Organ donation is not a single moment, but a shared journey,” said Eric LeBlanc, Interim Director of Critical Care at Lakeridge Health. “Our teams work closely with families to ensure every conversation is respectful, informed, and compassionate. That approach is what makes these outcomes possible.”
Through its continued leadership in donation practices, Lakeridge Health is transforming loss into legacy—offering hope and healing to families and patients across Ontario.
Photo Credits : https://www.insauga.com/turning-loss-into-legacy-ontario-hospital-group-honoured-for-organ-and-tissue-donations/
