Chaim Garfinkel Named ‘Lifesaving Partner’ by Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
Friday, October 12, 2018
Chaim Garfinkel, director of Information Security & Technology Infrastructure at UI Health, was recognized as a "Lifesaving Partner" by Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network for outstanding achievement in addressing the critical need for organ and tissue donation.
Gift of Hope coordinates organ and tissue donation in Illinois and northwest Indiana, and unencumbered access to electronic medical records (EMR) is essential to a streamlined organ donation process. Garfinkel recognized a major opportunity to adjust the EMR system at UI Health and championed changes that would help to improve access for Gift of Hope's clinical staff.
Prior to the change, Gift of Hope inactive user accounts expired every 90 days and were eventually deleted. Garfinkel implemented adjustments that keep dormant inactive accounts and allow the inactive users to reset their passwords and easily restore their access. This adjustment accommodates the variability of Gift of Hope's work with hospital partners and allows clinical staff to spend more time focusing on donors and donor families.
Information and technology services and support are crucial to successful donation outcomes. The new procedure that Garfinkel championed set a positive precedent, which is now presented as a "best practice" to hospitals and healthcare systems across Gift of Hope's donation-service area.
"Chaim's contribution brought about change that was much-needed and welcomed by Gift of Hope's clinical staff," said Kevin Cmunt, President/CEO of Gift of Hope. "His commitment to excellence and his support of Gift of Hope's vision that every opportunity for donation is successful makes Chaim a deserving recipient of the Gift of Hope 2018 'Lifesaving Partners 'Award."
Garfinkel was among 14 hospital, forensic, and civic professionals and organizations recognized for their work in supporting Gift of Hope. Gift of Hope presents the awards annually to individuals and organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty to support the organization's mission of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation and producing successful donation outcomes.
For more information on organ donation, visit the Transplant Program.
