AHN Named Top-Performing Health System in Western PA for The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania’s 2026 ‘Donate Life PA Hospital Challenge’

- AHN Allegheny General Hospital was also listed among top performing hospitals in the state

PITTSBURGH (August 25, 2026) - Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is once again receiving statewide recognition for its efforts to support and raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation as the top-performing health system in western Pennsylvania for HAP's 2026 Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge. AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) was also named among the top-performing hospitals in the region as part of the challenge, with the hospital receiving the second-place award.

Through this annual challenge, HAP recognizes the efforts of health care providers who lead effective campaigns to increase organ donation awareness within their hospitals and communities. HAP partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the two organ procurement organizations serving Pennsylvania-the Center for Organ Recovery & Education and Gift of Life Donor Program-to support the challenge.

This year, 113 hospitals statewide participated in the challenge. Participating hospitals' Donate Life Month activities are captured on a scorecard and assigned titanium, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze level recognitions based on their scope, scale and ultimate success at increasing the number of registered organ donors.

A total of 10 AHN hospitals were recognized through the challenge with titanium or platinum designations, including AHN's Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Canonsburg Hospital, Forbes Hospital, Grove City Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, Hempfield Neighborhood Hospital, West Penn Hospital and Wexford Hospital in the Pittsburgh region; and Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pa.

"This recognition reflects AHN's deep commitment to honoring the generosity of organ donors and their families while helping more people understand the lifesaving impact of donation," said Tadahiro Uemura, MD, chief of the AHN Division of Transplant. "We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with CORE and proud of the care teams, clinicians and staff across our network whose dedication continues to advance this important mission."

This year, AHN hosted ten flag raising ceremonies, two rose garden ceremonies, a new 'Leashes for Life' event, and one donor memorial ceremony across its 10 participating hospitals. Clinicians and caregivers at AGH also hosted the fourth annual ceremonial honor walk, paying tribute to families of organ donors who gave the lifesaving gift of organ donation. In total, AHN registered more than 180 new organ donors in April thanks to its efforts.

"When hospitals and donation professionals work together, the gift of organ donation becomes possible, giving donor families comfort in knowing their loved one's legacy lives on and transplant recipients the priceless gift of more time. The HAP Donate Life Pennsylvania Hospital Challenge recognizes the importance of this partnership, celebrating hospitals that have made donation a priority by fostering a culture where it is understood, supported and embraced," said Deborah Maurer, RN, MBA, President and CEO of CORE. "Every day, together, we honor the generosity of donors and their families by ensuring every donation opportunity is recognized, and every generous decision has the chance to save and heal lives, bringing hope to the more than 109,000 people waiting for a transplant nationwide, including more than 6,000 Pennsylvanians."

"Every organ, eye, and tissue donor has the power to save lives and offer hope to patients and families facing some of their most difficult moments," said HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings. "Pennsylvania hospitals and our partners continue to lead by raising awareness about the importance of donation and encouraging more people to register as donors. We applaud the hospital teams participating in this year's challenge for their commitment to strengthening the health of their communities."

To view a full listing of award winners, visit www.haponline.org.

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About Allegheny Health Network
Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org) is an integrated health care delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The network is composed of 16 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness Pavilions, an employed physician organization, home- and community-based health services, a research institute, and a group purchasing organization. AHN provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, cardiovascular disease, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women's health, diabetes and more. AHN employs approximately 27,000 people, has 3,000 physicians on its medical staff, and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and Duquesne University Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine.

About HAP
The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is a statewide member services organization that advocates on behalf of Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems to advance high-quality, accessible, and financially sustainable health care. HAP's more than 235 member organizations include the majority of hospitals across the commonwealth. Additional information about HAP is available online.

About CORE
The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of more than 50 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States, serving more than five million people in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. CORE coordinates the recovery and matching of organs, tissues and corneas for transplant within our service region, and works tirelessly to create a culture of donation within the hospitals and communities we serve. CORE's mission is to Save and Heal lives through donation, ultimately ending the deaths of those on the transplant waiting list, while maintaining integrity for the donation process, dignity for the donors, and compassion for their families. CORE is a winner of the 2019 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a presidential award that recognizes nonprofits for their innovation and excellence. For more information, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.