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St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Recognized for Organ Donation Advocacy

Far Rockaway, New York, March 6, 2025 — Team members at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, part of at Episcopal Health Services (EHS), were honored by LiveOnNY for their collective efforts in supporting organ donation, transplantation, and advocacy during a Healthcare Hero Appreciation event held March 4 at the EHS Clinical Learning Center.

The event began with remarks from Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, Chief Executive Officer of EHS, who emphasized the importance of organ donation and expressed gratitude for LiveOnNY’s partnership.

“Organ donation is not just a medical procedure; it is one of the most profound expressions of generosity and compassion. Each act of donation not only saves lives but also offers solace to families, ensuring that their loved one’s legacy endures through the lives of others,” Dr. Morrish said. “LiveOnNY’s unwavering partnership and dedication to this life-saving mission have been instrumental in our efforts to enhance awareness, facilitate donations, and ultimately save lives within our communities.”

Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, (second, left) Chief Executive Officer of Episcopal Health Services accepted LiveOnNY’s Donor Advocate Award on behalf of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. He is pictured with LiveOnNY team members (from left): Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer; Abraham Warshaw, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Natasha Thomas, Hospital Services Specialist; and Raida Hossain, Community & Government Affairs Liaison.
Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, (second, left) Chief Executive Officer of Episcopal Health Services accepted LiveOnNY’s Donor Advocate Award on behalf of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. He is pictured with LiveOnNY team members (from left): Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer; Abraham Warshaw, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Natasha Thomas, Hospital Services Specialist; and Raida Hossain, Community & Government Affairs Liaison.
Emil Domingo (center), RN, at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was honored by LiveOnNY. He is pictured with LiveOnNY team members (from left): Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer; Abraham Warshaw, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Natasha Thomas, Hospital Services Specialist; and Raida Hossain, Community & Government Affairs Liaison.
Emil Domingo (center), RN, at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was honored by LiveOnNY. He is pictured with LiveOnNY team members (from left): Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer; Abraham Warshaw, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; Natasha Thomas, Hospital Services Specialist; and Raida Hossain, Community & Government Affairs Liaison.
Karen Paige, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of EHS, and Bevin Mathew (right), Director of Quality Management at EHS, were honored during the LiveOnNY Healthcare Hero Appreciation event. They are pictured with Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer of LiveOnNY.
Karen Paige, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of EHS, and Bevin Mathew (right), Director of Quality Management at EHS, were honored during the LiveOnNY Healthcare Hero Appreciation event. They are pictured with Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer of LiveOnNY.
Heart transplant recipient Christine Shaver and Wajana Pagan, a donor family member, were honored with flowers for sharing their personal experiences and highlighting the profound impact of organ donation.
Heart transplant recipient Christine Shaver and Wajana Pagan, a donor family member, were honored with flowers for sharing their personal experiences and highlighting the profound impact of organ donation.

Leonard Achan, President and Chief Executive Officer of LiveOnNY, commended the St. John’s Episcopal Hospital team for their efforts, which have led to a 500% increase in organ donation over the past three years.

“You are part of a big story – one that’s resulted in 4,000 people over the past three years living who may not have – thanks to the gift of donation and transplantation,” Achan said.

The event also featured personal stories from Christine Shaver, a heart transplant recipient, and Wajana Pagan, a donor family member, both of whom shared the profound impact of organ donation.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was presented with LiveOnNY’s Donor Advocate Award in recognition of its commitment to organ donation. Several team members were also honored for their contributions to increasing awareness and donor registrations, including registered nurses

Cheray Small Adelaja and Emil Domingo; the Perioperative Department; Tessy Peter, MD, Chairperson, Family Medicine Department; Bevin Mathew, Director of Quality Management at EHS; and Karen Paige, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at EHS.

Ms. Paige expressed her gratitude to both the LiveOnNY and St. John’s Episcopal Hospital teams for their dedication to the mission.

“When we honor the wishes of a patient and their family, we bring dignity to their decision and hope to those in need,” Paige said. “It is both our responsibility and privilege to carry out those wishes with the highest level of care and respect. I’m incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished and will continue to do together.”

About Episcopal Health Services

Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.