StemCell Therapy

Great Falls Tribune 4:48 p.m. MT May 15, 2017

Jevon Boudreaux, Regional Manager at SightLife, presents at the Vision Award to Vickie Hatzenbeller, director of nursing for the Progressive Cardio Vascular Unit at Benefis Health System, and Terry Olinger, president of the Benefis Acute Care Group.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

Benefis Health System received the 2017 Vision Award from SightLife, a global health organization and eye bank solely focused on eliminating corneal blindness in the U.S. and around the world. Benefis partners with SightLife for cornea donations from patients who opt to be an organ and tissue donor. The cornea is the clear part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil and lets light in to permit sight.

Last year, Benefis patients, families, and employees were able to help 86 people regain vision or see for the first time. In addition to supporting cornea donations in partnership with SightLife, Benefis supports patients wishes to be organ and tissue donors through a partnership with LifeCenter Northwest.

One donor can help more than 150 people, whether it be through corneal transplants or transplants of life-critical organs, such as kidneys or a heart, said Vickie Hatzenbeller, Director of Nursing for the Progressive Cardio Vascular Unit (PCVU) at Benefis Health System. In addition to her current role in the PCVU, Hatzenbeller has led Benefis organ and tissue donation education and coordination efforts for many years.

The gift of sight or the gift of life is just an incredible gift to give, says Hatzenbeller. Many families find comfort in knowing that their loved ones legacy lives on in helping others. We have a wonderful, dedicated team at Benefis that helps to make this possible. It has been a true honor to work with our donors, families, SightLife, and all of our employees who have helped change the lives of others.

This award is not just about the numbers, said Jevon Boudreaux, regional manager at SightLife. This award is about the care that you have for your families here, the way you take care of your patients and your staff in making sure they know how important this gift is.

Corneal transplants are performed routinely, with more than 42,000 in the United State each year.

We are truly honored to receive this award, especially as we celebrate Donate Life Month in April. The generous spirit of our community continues to amaze us, said Terry Olinger, president of the Benefis Acute Care Group.

Founded in 1969, SightLife is a global health organization and eye bank solely focused on eliminated corneal blindness in the U.S. and around the world.

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Benefis receives 2017 Vision Award for helping give the gift of sight through donation - Great Falls Tribune

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