Scarborough Health Network (SHN) continues to lead organ donation best practices through our committed critical care and surgery teams, especially in guiding organ donation conversations and donation recovery processes. SHN collaborates with Ontario Health’s Trillium Gift of Life (TGLN) program to further this effort, assisting patients throughout their journey while championing ethical and compassionate advocacy for organ and tissue donation.
This dedication is reflected in professionals like Marina Zajakovski, a Charge Nurse in the operating room (OR) who has assisted dozens of lifesaving donation recovery procedures at SHN. In recognition of Marina’s leading contributions and mentorship of other OR nurses, she was recently honoured with the 2024 Provincial Donation Champion Award by Ontario Health’s TGLN!
The Provincial Donation Champion Award is given to professionals who show great dedication and contribution to the world of organ and tissue donation. TGLN has recognized Marina for her work in preparing ORs and assisting surgeons as they perform the vital work of organ retrieval, before the organs are transported to the next patient in line awaiting their second chance at life.
Last year, three donation recovery procedures were performed at SHN, which led to 11 patients receiving the gift of life through lung, kidney, and liver transplantation, and 37 tissue donations which helped recover sight in other patients. In recognition, Ontario Health named SHN one of the hospitals in Ontario to receive the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate award, for meeting the eligible approach rate target of 90% in facilitating donation discussions, and the Award of Excellence, for meeting the eligible approach rate for four consecutive years!
Marina scrubbed in for her first donation recovery procedure over 15 years ago, stating she wanted to be a part of a process that would save a number of other lives, while honouring the selfless donor and their family.
“I was fascinated by the work early on in my career,” Marina shared.
“After I volunteered for my first procedure, I was amazed by how respectful and meticulous the surgical team was. We had a moment of silence for the donor at the beginning, and then the entire retrieval process was so careful and honouring. I knew I had to continue to be involved in such important work.”
Over the years, Marina has assisted about 70 per cent of the donation recovery procedures at Centenary Hospital. Marina remarked that she was grateful for the work done by SHN’s Critical Care teams as they approach the delicate conversations about organ donation, enabling the surgeons to retrieve the donations which save lives.
“I am truly grateful to be recognized with the Provincial Donation Champion award,” said Marina.
“When I received the news, I shed tears because I feel honoured to be involved in such important and delicate work. While the donors are the true heroes, we in the OR do our best to pay respects and ensure their gift is well handled and safely delivered to those in need.”
Marina was also a recipient of the Hidden Hero award from TGLN in 2023, for which her colleagues nominated her in recognition of the imperative role she has played in supporting organ and tissue donation.
“It has been inspiring to watch Marina grow in her role,” said Rhodora Gutierrez, Manager of Surgery and Ambulatory Care, who helped Marina find her passion for organ donation procedures.
“Not every nurse would willingly do this work, and Marina does so while providing exceptional mentorship, great compassion and respect for donors, and unwavering dedication to safe and effective recovery.”
Heroes like Marina help patients across the province and country. The decision to donate can become someone else’s last lifeline, and by volunteering to help these vital procedures, SHN’s teams continue to build hope for those in our community in need of organ and tissue donation.