Special Projects
MCHD-Lifegift Tissue Referral Program
In 2000, MCHD and LifeGift Organ Donation Center partnered to bring some benefit to otherwise senseless tragedies.
The Montgomery County Hospital District Emergency Medical Service will collaborate with LifeGift, a tissue donation organization in Houston. Following are the principal aspects of the partnership, aimed at saving and enhancing the lives of Montgomery County residents and beyond.
- MCHD’s collaboration with LifeGift marks the first time an emergency medical service organization has formally worked with a tissue donation center to increase the number of tissue donations and thus save lives.
- Currently, the majority of tissue donations come from people whose deaths occur in hospitals. Patients who pass away outside of a hospital have not been considered potential donors.
- MCHD began its initial work with LifeGift in March 2002.
- July 31 marks the two-year anniversary of a motor vehicle accident in the Carriage Hills area of Montgomery County. The accident claimed the lives of four teens. Two of the four victims became full organ and tissue donors through LifeGift.
- LifeGift estimates that MCHD’s participation will directly equate to eight to 10 referrals per month, which could become up to five tissue donors.
- MCHD recently was notified by LifeGift that one referral made by a MCHD paramedic resulted in a full organ and tissue donation. From that one life lost, 104 others were given much needed tissue transplants and thus given a new chance at life. With respect to a donor’s anonymity, names may not be divulged.
For more information about tissue donation or a free donor card, please call LifeGift at 800-633-6562 or click on www.lifegift.org.
MCHD Paramedic Doubles as EMS Cartoonist
MCHD Paramedic Jennifer Ingle (jingle) Folsom has distinguished herself as a first rate, EMS cartoonist. Jennifer has the unique ability to bring humor to the Pre-hospital workplace. Jennifer's work has been featured on MCHD annual EMS Week T-shirt for the past several years.
Click here to view more of Jennifer's work
Paramedic's Photography Front Page Material
For five years, Paramedic Courtney McCain served double duty for MCHD. Courtney was not only an accomplished paramedic, she is a nationally known EMS photography and journalist. Prior to coming to MCHD, Courtney published the Kansas EMS Newspaper. Her husband's job brought her to The Woodlands, Texas, where she joined the MCHD staff.
Over the years, Courtney's work has graced the covers of JEMS Magazine and other national publications. In 2005, the Town Center Improvement District honored Courtney with their Hometown Hero award for her patient care and photography.
In January 2006, Courtney and her family moved back to Kansas. While she will be missed, her photos are a constant reminder of her dedication and talent. Many of the photos on this website were taken by Courtney. We greatly appreciate her permission to use the photos. We hope you enjoy them.
Courtney can be reached at kemsnews@everestkc.net
