Circle of Life Gala recognizes medical professionals’ and hospitals’ direct impact on saving lives through donation

The Quilts of Love were on display along with the awards at this year's Circle of Life Celebration.

On April 4, 2008, NJ Sharing Network held their 4th Annual Circle of Life Celebration at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. This event was created to honor and celebrate the professional communities with whom NJ Sharing Network works that have a direct impact on saving the lives of the over 4,300 NJ residents waiting for a transplant. Over 300 nurses, doctors and other members of the medical community were honored at the gala for their collective and singular accomplishments in donation. We recognize them for their continued commitment and dedication to organ and tissue donation.

Amongst those honored this year, were:

Most Supportive Medical Examiner's Office
Morris County Medical Examiner
James T. Mann

Most Supportive Funeral Home
Alvarez Funeraria, Inc.
Jamie Alvarez, Funeral Director

Top Tissue Donor Hospital
Jersey Shore University Medical Center (14)

Highest Conversion Rate
Jersey Shore University Medical Center (89%)

Most Donation After Cardiac Death Donors
The University Hospital —UMDNJ (3)
& Overlook Hospital (3)

Donation Advocate
Kathleen Evanovich Zavotsky , MS , RN, CCRN, CEN, CNSC
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Top Organ Donor Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (17)

Nurse Champion
Janet Luce, RN, BSN
Hackensack University Medical Center

Best Donor Management
St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center (3.85 org tx/donor)

Physician Champion
Stephen Percy Jr., MD, MBA
Hackensack University Medical Center

Award of Distinction
Robert R. Grill
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission