Forrest General Teams Recognized with Spero Awards for Work with MORA’s Organ Donation Team

Three teams at Forrest General Hospital are being recognized by the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA) with its prestigious Spero Award following an extraordinary week in January that reflected the best of compassionate, life-saving care.

Joel Stevens, MORA’s Development Coordinator for Forrest General Hospital, presented awards to Dr. Rick Boyte, director, Palliative and Supportive Care, Kaitlyn Cox, RN, Patient Care Manager, ICU, and Chrissy Holman, RN, Patient Care Manager, Surgical Services, for Most Supportive Palliative Care Team, Most Supportive ICU Team, and Most Supportive Surgical Services Team, respectively, for January/February 2026.

During that single week in January, four individuals made the selfless decision to become organ donors — a historic moment that resulted in 16 lives saved, marking the most organ donors in one week at any Mississippi hospital. The award recognizes individuals and organizations who significantly contribute to organ, eye, and tissue donation efforts, reflecting the hope and support for these vital causes.

Stevens said a lot of work was done that week by both the Forrest General and MORA staffs. “Everybody was in the trenches and ready to work,” he said. “It started with leadership, who take donations seriously here. We couldn’t do this without leadership and then, of course, the staff here – ICU, support therapy, nurses, physicians, pharmacy, lab, respiratory therapy, and so many others – we are all involved. Sixteen people received a life-saving transplant because of the staff here.”

Spero is Latin for “hope.” And that’s what MORA gives people. The title was chosen to reflect the hope that organ, eye, and tissue donation brings to those needing a life-saving organ or a life-improving tissue transplant. These awards, presented on a quarterly basis, recognize hospital partners, medical professionals, corporate partners, and donor advocates who work with MORA and the Advancing Sight Network to promote organ, eye, and tissue donation to save and heal lives.

“We couldn’t do it without you,” said Stevens. “It takes all of us working together to make this happen and to make donations a priority.”

Cox, ICU manager, said being recognized with the Spero Award during such a demanding period is both an honor and a humbling experience. “It validates the hard work and dedication our team has shown, especially when confronted with multiple critical situations in a single week,” she said. “This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the profound impact our work has on patients and families during their most vulnerable moments. I am incredibly proud of how our team came together to support each other, the patients, and the families we serve. The level of collaboration and commitment displayed by every member was extraordinary. It takes a unique blend of skill, communication, and compassion to ensure that everything runs smoothly, even under the most stressful circumstances. This recognition is a testament to the strength of our team and our shared dedication to providing the best care possible.”

Every eight minutes, a new patient is added to the national transplant waiting list. Each day, an average of 13 people die waiting for a lifesaving transplant that never comes. Today, nearly 1,000 Mississippians are among the more than 100,000 individuals nationwide awaiting a transplant, with more than 90% in need of a kidney. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can save or improve the lives of 75 or more people.

While each donation began in a moment of profound loss, what followed was something remarkable – hope, healing, and second chances. Through the coordinated efforts, dedication, and compassion of Forrest General’s teams, lives were not only honored,  they were multiplied. Sixteen individuals and their families were given the gift of more time, more memories, and more life.

As Donate Life Month approaches in April, this milestone serves as a powerful reminder of what is possible when generosity meets purpose. It is a story not just of loss, but of legacy and of a community coming together to turn heartbreak into hope.