LCMC HEALTH ADDS ORGAN DONATION REGISTRATION TO MYCHART, A FIRST FOR LOUISIANA RESIDENTS

The update comes as more than 1,800 people in Louisiana wait for a lifesaving organ transplant 

NEW ORLEANS – LCMC Health is proud to announce that patients can register as organ, eye and tissue donors through MyChart, which is powered by Epic. MyChart is the portal that LCMC Health patients already use to manage their healthcare today. This update aims to both increase awareness of organ donation registration and greatly simplify the process for interested patients. 

“Recognizing the dire need for organ donors in our state, LCMC Health, along with our software partner Epic, are dedicated to making organ donation registration readily available for interested patients,” said Dr. John Heaton, President and Chief Medical Officer of LCMC Health. “This is another demonstration of our commitment to keeping our community well. We remain grateful to our national and state partner organizations who are carrying on this lifesaving mission every day.” 

When patients choose to register as donors through MyChart, they are added to the National Donate Life Registry. Their donor registration status then travels with them, even if they move away from LCMC Health or Louisiana. Patients can choose to donate for transplant purposes, as well as for research and educational purposes, and their decision to donate is not visible to their care teams. Basic patient information already included in MyChart will streamline the registration process. 

“Donate Life America is excited to work with LCMC Health and Epic to make donor registration more accessible than ever,” said David Fleming, President and CEO of Donate Life America. “By integrating this opportunity into MyChart, we are reaching people where they already manage their health, creating a seamless, trusted pathway for lifesaving generosity. Across the country, we are empowering millions to make a difference and help save and heal lives.”  

With over 1,800 people in Louisiana currently on the organ transplant waiting list, the need for donors is critical. Multiethnic communities are disproportionately affected, representing more than 65 percent of all Louisiana residents awaiting a transplant. Nationally, the need for organs is also immense, with more than 100,000 people across the country waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. The urgency of the situation is underscored by a sobering reality: thirteen people die each day in the U.S. waiting for a life-saving organ, and another person is added to the national waiting list every eight minutes. 

“The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) is committed to providing everyone the gift of donation to save and heal as many lives as possible,” said Brett Gordon, President & CEO of LOPA. “Ultimately, we need more people to say yes to donation to address the transplant waitlist need. The opportunity to register as an organ, tissue and eye donor through MyChart offers a pathway in helping accomplish this.” 

Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives, restore sight to two people and heal more than 75 others through tissue donation. While roughly 50 percent of US adults are registered organ donors, surveys consistently show that 90 percent of Americans support organ donation. More convenient registration methods, like MyChart, offer a way to close that gap. 

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