Published: March 25, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Gift of Life Michigan has named University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing (UM Health-Sparrow Lansing) Hospital of the Year for its outstanding commitment to organ, eye and tissue donation and strong partnership in saving lives.
In 2025, UM Health-Sparrow Lansing helped to honor the last wishes of 26 organ donors, the fourth highest in the state and 65 tissue donors, the second highest among Michigan hospitals. Each organ donor can save up to eight lives while each tissue donor can help up to 75 patients heal. This amounts to hundreds of lives that have been transformed by the generosity of organ and tissue donors from UM Health-Sparrow Lansing.
“The team at Sparrow has cultivated a donation culture that is clearly embraced from administration to frontline staff,” said Dorrie Dils, president and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “Their collaborative approach, strong engagement and support for donor families ensure that every opportunity to save lives is honored.”
Leadership at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing has played an active role in advancing donation initiatives, reinforcing expectations for best practices and ongoing education. Nurses are engaged in Gift of Life’s Nurse Donation Council and participate in initiatives designed to strengthen referral processes and remove barriers. Because of this strong system of collaboration, the UM Health-Sparrow health system has had multiple Champions Award winners since the program started in 2018 including: 2018 Storytelling Champion, 2023 Nurse Champion and 2024 Donation Liaison Champion.
” We are so honored to be recognized by Gift of Life Michigan for what we consider a noble cause,” said Ann Marie Creed, President, UM Health-Sparrow Lansing. “We are committed to offering hope due to the lasting generosity of organ donors and to promote the mission of Gift of Life Michigan in any way we can.”
UM Health-Sparrow Lansing has found unique ways to honor donors and their families. Since 2024, the Donate Life flag has flown prominently year-round outside its main entrance. In 2025, the hospital held its first donor family memorial ceremony unveiling a permanent donor memorial tree where names will be added every April as part of National Donate Life Month.
UM Health-Sparrow Lansing will be recognized during Gift of Life Michigan’s annual Champions Gala on May 1 at Vibe Credit Union Showplace (formerly known as Suburban Collection Showplace) in Novi.
The annual Champions Gala has recognized nearly 160 people and organizations supporting organ, eye and tissue donation at the highest level in Michigan since the event began in 2019. The awards represent every aspect of the donation process from efforts to grow the Michigan Organ Donor Registry to incredible work in schools, communities, the legislature, hospitals, transplant centers and more.
For the full list of award winners, buy tickets or to learn more about Gift of Life Michigan, visit the Gala Champions webpage.
Gift of Life President and CEO Dorrie Dils, UM Health-Sparrow Lansing President Ann Marie Creed and Neuro-Trauma ICU Manager Christine Wilson
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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as UM Health-Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Care Network, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. UM Health-Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 team members, UM Health-Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org.