Allegheny Health Network Named Top-Performing Health System in Western PA for The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s (HAP) 2025 Donate Life PA Hospital Challenge

AHN Allegheny General Hospital and AHN Wexford Hospital were also listed among top performing hospitals in the state

PITTSBURGH – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is once again receiving statewide recognition for its efforts to support and raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation as the top-performing health system in western Pennsylvania for HAP’s 2025 Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge. AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) and AHN Wexford Hospital were also named top-performing hospitals in the region as part of the challenge, with the hospitals receiving second and third place awards respectively.

Through this annual challenge, HAP recognizes the efforts of health care providers who lead effective campaigns to increase organ donation awareness within their hospitals and communities. HAP partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the two organ procurement organizations serving Pennsylvania—the Center for Organ Recovery & Education and Gift of Life Donor Program—to support the challenge.

This year, 121 hospitals statewide participated in the challenge. Participating hospitals’ Donate Life Month activities are captured on a scorecard and assigned titanium, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze level recognitions based on their scope, scale and ultimate success at increasing the number of registered organ donors.

A total of 10 AHN hospitals were recognized through the challenge with titanium or platinum designations, including AHN’s Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Canonsburg Hospital, Forbes Hospital, Grove City Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, McCandless Neighborhood Hospital, West Penn Hospital and Wexford Hospital in the Pittsburgh region; and Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pa.

“We are thankful for our ongoing partnership with CORE in spreading awareness about the critical need for organ donation,” said Sri Chalikonda, MD, chair, 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.”

This year, AHN hosted ten flag raising ceremonies, two rose garden ceremonies, and one donor memorial ceremony across its 10 participating hospitals. Clinicians and caregivers at AGH also hosted the third annual ceremonial honor walk, paying tribute to over 100 members of organ donor families who gave the lifesaving gift of organ donation. In total, AHN registered more than 375 new organ donors in April thanks to its efforts.

“The HAP Donate Life Hospital Challenge shows the incredible impact we can make when hospitals and organ procurement organizations unite around a common mission,” said Susan Stuart, President and CEO of CORE. “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.”

“Hospital teams rely on organ, eye, and tissue donors to save lives and give patients a chance for a bright future,” said HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings. “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.”

To view a full listing of award winners, visit www.haponline.org.

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About HAP

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is a statewide member services organization that advocates on behalf of Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems to advance high-quality, accessible, and financially sustainable health care. HAP’s more than 235 member organizations include the majority of hospitals across the commonwealth. Additional information about HAP is available online.

About CORE

The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of more than 50 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States, serving more than five million people in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. CORE coordinates the recovery and matching of organs, tissues and corneas for transplant within our service region, and works tirelessly to create a culture of donation within the hospitals and communities we serve. CORE’s mission is to Save and Heal lives through donation, ultimately ending the deaths of those on the transplant waiting list, while maintaining integrity for the donation process, dignity for the donors, and compassion for their families. CORE is a winner of the 2019 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a presidential award that recognizes nonprofits for their innovation and excellence. For more information, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.