The Power of One Action – Gary Goldfogel M.D.
Organ and tissue donation saves or improves thousands of lives each year and it is the actions of our community members and leaders that make it possible. The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office, under the leadership of Gary Goldfogel M.D., partners with the local medical community to ensure that whenever possible they accommodate those who wish to donate life-saving organs and tissue. When a patient is in a hospital setting on ventilator support and death is imminent, LifeCenter Northwest works closely with the family to provide information and assistance regarding the donation process. If the family makes a donation request following the death of the loved one the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office works collaboratively with the hospital staff, LifeCenter Northwest, and the family to ensure the request is accommodated.
“Dr. Goldfogel’s steadfast support for donation translates into many lives saved and enhanced,” says Rob Houghton, Hospital Services Tissue Specialist for LifeCenter Northwest. “His office is an excellent example of a medical examiner office serving as an advocate for its community in regards to organ, eye, and tissue donation. His willingness to proactively work with LifeCenter Northwest and hospital staff and to release for donation whenever possible impacts countless lives.”
Dr. Goldfogel was appointed Whatcom County Medical Examiner in 1988
In his own words, Dr. Goldfogel says, “The Medical Examiner’s Office exists to benefit the living by investigation of the deceased. All autopsies are performed to improve the lives of family, community and the legal system. Participation in organ and tissue donation is a principle mission of the Whatcom County Medical Examiner Office. We work hard to allow the departed to provide the gift of improving the lives of the living when such activity is the will of the departed’s family, in balance with needs of the legal system and the state of the art in organ procurement technology and policy.”
Last year, the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s office facilitated the donation of organs, eyes, and tissue from a number of people in collaboration with LifeCenter Northwest. It is because of one action that a wish to be a donor is granted and lives are saved.
