UNOS DonateLife

December 22, 2004

United Network for Organ Sharing Recognized with Distinguished Awards

RICHMOND, Va.--The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) recently earned awards from the Health Care Resource and Innovations Congress (HCRIC) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) 2004 Best in Virginia competitions.

The HCRIC Awards recognize companies, non-profits, organizations, foundations, government agencies and academic entities for their excellence and advancement in implementing innovative technology to expedite the delivery of health care resources and improve patient care.

UNOS was awarded first place in the "Best Advancement in Data Collection" category. This award is given for an innovation (e.g., tool, software application, or device) that simplifies, improves, or optimizes the process of data collection. UNOS won for UNet^SM, its secure Internet-based medical data system for the transplant community that collects, stores, analyzes and publicizes data pertaining to every patient listed for organ transplantation.

For more than twenty years, IABC's Best in Virginia program has recognized excellence in business communication in Virginia. This year UNOS won in 11 of the 19 categories including the Award of Distinction, a prestigious award given to the organization who garners the most points based on the quantity and level of awards earned.

IABC's Award of Excellence was presented to UNOS in the following areas:

• Publication Design: Annual Reports
• Writing: Editorials and Features

The Award of Merit was presented in these categories:

• Multi-audience Communication
• Marketing Communication
• Electronic and Interactive Communication
• Publications: Annual Reports
• Publication Design: Special Publications
• Special Project Design
• Writing: Editorials and Features

UNOS received an Honorable Mention award for the following:

• Multi-audience Communication
• Issues Management
• Publications: Newspapers, Magapapers, and Newsletters
• Publications: Special Publications

A private, nonprofit organization, UNOS manages the nation's organ transplant system and oversees the world's most comprehensive database of clinical transplant information under contract with the federal government. UNOS operates the 24-hour computerized organ sharing system, matching donated organs to patients registered on the national organ transplant waiting list. UNOS seeks to increase organ donation through education and improve transplant success rates through outcomes-based research and policymaking. Transplant scientists and health officials recognize UNOS-developed technology applications as the international model for organ sharing.