Published: June 4, 2014
Joyce deJong, M.D., Ingham County Medical Examiner and Director of Sparrow Forensic Pathology, has been awarded the Shining Star Award by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson for her support of organ, tissue and eye donations.
Pictured (from left) Elizabeth Reust, Ingham County medical examiner investigator; Stephanie Sommer, medical examiner liaison for Gift of Life; Richard Pietroski, CEO, Gift of Life; Secretary of State Ruth Johnson; Tom Ostrander, Sparrow Vice President of Professional Services; Joyce deJong, Ingham County Medical Examiner, Philip Croft, M.D., Sparrow Forensic Pathology Services, Jon Baker, Administrative Director, Sparrow Laboratories, and Michael Markey, M.D., Sparrow Forensic Pathology Services.
Dr. deJong notes, "If our office can do our job, determine the cause and manner of death, identify individuals, gather evidence, and at the same time allow families the opportunity to donate, and the opportunity to add even a thin silver lining to what is likely the darkest cloud of their life, we will. This is about families who want to donate and the recipients."
Dr. deJong is regarded by Gift of Life Michigan and the Michigan Eye-Bank as their top champion in the medical examiner field statewide.
To sign up on Michigan's Organ Donor Registry, visit www.ExpressSOS.com.