Ceremony Recognizes Lifesaving Impact of Organ Donation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 8, 2026) – Yesterday, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) hosted a ceremony honoring organ donors in recognition of National Donate Life Month. Over the last 3 years, TMH and LifeQuest have been able to facilitate the Gift of Life to almost 300 people waiting on the National Transplant Waiting list through organ donation and transplantation.
During the ceremony, LifeQuest Hospital Development Coordinator Janet Shipman presented TMH colleague and donation champion Susie Parslow with the Award of Excellence, recognizing 20 years of leadership and service on the donor council.
The event also featured powerful donation stories highlighting the impact of organ donations. Speakers included Ron Sachs, father of organ donor Aimee Saches; Olivia Hand, mother of pediatric heart recipient, Clara Ann Hand, and Frank Gredler, MD, Cardiologist of Southern Medical Group.
Suzanne Walker-Assad, TMH Director of Critical Care and Donor Council Chair, provided the welcome of the event. Tallahassee Memorial Music Therapy performed during the ceremony, and Spiritual Care Director Wendy Wyche led a prayer honoring those who have donated, received or are awaiting the gift of donation.
April is National Donate Life Month, a time to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those who have saved lives through the gift of donation. To learn more and register as a donor, visit DonateLifeFlorida.org.
