Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has been recognized as the top-performing health system in western Pennsylvania by The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) for the 2025 Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge. Two AHN hospitals, Allegheny General Hospital and Wexford Hospital, also received second and third place awards among top-performing hospitals in the state.
The annual HAP challenge acknowledges healthcare providers who lead campaigns to increase awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. This year’s initiative involved 121 hospitals across Pennsylvania. Activities during Donate Life Month were evaluated using a scorecard system that assigned titanium, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze recognitions based on each hospital’s efforts to boost organ donor registration.
Ten AHN hospitals earned titanium or platinum status. These include Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Canonsburg Hospital, Forbes Hospital, Grove City Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, McCandless Neighborhood Hospital, West Penn Hospital, Wexford Hospital in Pittsburgh, and Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie.
“We are thankful for our ongoing partnership with CORE in spreading awareness about the critical need for organ donation,” said Sri Chalikonda, MD, chair of the AHN Surgery Institute. “The dedication of our care teams and staff is reflected in these top honors, and I commend them for their tireless efforts.”
Throughout April’s campaign period, AHN organized ten flag raising ceremonies, two rose garden ceremonies, and one donor memorial ceremony at its participating hospitals. At Allegheny General Hospital specifically, clinicians held a ceremonial honor walk to recognize over 100 organ donor families. In total, more than 375 new organ donors registered through AHN’s efforts during the month.
Susan Stuart, President and CEO of the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), said: “The HAP Donate Life Hospital Challenge shows the incredible impact we can make when hospitals and organ procurement organizations unite around a common mission. Across Pennsylvania, hospital teams are leading with heart—starting conversations about donation, encouraging people to take that life-saving step, and standing beside donor families in their moments of courage. Their leadership not only saves lives but also strengthens communities and delivers hope to those still waiting for a second chance. CORE is profoundly thankful for these hospital partners whose compassion and dedication make this lifesaving work possible.”
Nicole Stallings, President and CEO of HAP added: “Hospital teams rely on organ, eye, and tissue donors to save lives and give patients a chance for a bright future. Pennsylvania hospitals and our partners have done an outstanding job of supporting and raising awareness about donation. We applaud the hospital teams who participated in our annual challenge and demonstrated their strong commitment to improving the health of their communities.”
For further details on award winners from this year’s challenge visit www.haponline.org.
