Types of Organ and Tissue Donations

Serving nearly 15 years in the field of human resources, Jill Marten accepted a leadership role at Baptist Health South Florida after serving for seven years at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as assistant vice president of human resources. Jill Marten continues to show her passion for medicine by serving on the board of the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency.

A part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency is regulated by the United Network for Organ Sharing and accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations. The nonprofit organization provides organ donation and transplantation services to six counties within the South Florida region. Its work not only impacts families in need of organs and tissues, but also the research community and the advancement of medical science.

A single organ donor can impact the lives of up to eight people. The following organs and tissues can be recovered from registered organ donors.

1. Heart or heart valves. Patients suffering from weakened hearts or a decrease in heart function can benefit from a heart donation. Heart valves specifically go to babies.

2. Kidneys. Donating a kidney helps a person process excess fluids and wastes from their bodies without the need for dialysis. Patients with diabetes, end-stage renal failure, and hypertension benefit from kidney donations.

3. Corneas. Giving corneas can improve the quality of life for near-blind individuals. In addition, blind individuals have the opportunity to see again.

4. Skin. Donated skin often goes to individuals who have been severely burned. The tissue can safeguard the recipient from infection derived from the burns.

Big Brothers Big Sisters and Chuck E. Cheese Launch 2015 Partnership

Jill Marten, a human resources professional with more than two decades of experience, has served as Baptist Health South Florida’s corporate director of HR since 2012. In addition to her activities at Baptist Health, Jill Marten supports organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

In a recent press release, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) announced that it has established a year-long partnership with Chuck E. Cheese to make the family dining and entertainment chain the official preferred destination for BBBS volunteers, employees, and youth participants. Launched in January as part of National Mentoring Month, the new partnership will last throughout 2015.

For its part, Chuck E. Cheese is offering BBBS participants and staff members an exclusive coupon that will give them 25 tokens, one medium one-topping pizza, and two drinks for $17.99. The organization will also celebrate the new partnership with BBBS fundraising events, such as its National Night Out, which will be held at Chuck E. Cheese locations throughout the country on April 14th.

Miami Heat Academy Improves Student Performance

Active as an executive in the healthcare industry for a decade, Jill Marten currently serves as corporate director, Human Resources, at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami. Jill Marten coordinates HR programs across all Baptist Health locations. In her spare time, Marten enjoys professional sports and is a particular supporter of the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat sponsors several programs for the public good. One of these efforts is the Heat Academy, intended to improve the performance of some 300 at-risk third- through fifth-graders from income-challenged families. Funds for the academy come not only from the Heat but also from the Carnival Foundation, C1 Bank, and Florida Blue. This support provides school supplies and snacks to the students as well as teachers’ pay

The academy convenes after school for tutoring in math, science, reading, and writing in an effort to help students do well in standardized testing. Although most participants formerly scored in the bottom 25 percent of academic measures, the program has enabled many of them to outdo their classmates in all three grades. In addition, academy students show improved attendance.

Good Bicycle Maintenance Depends on Thorough Cleaning

An expert in attracting new talent to her hospital, Jill Marten brings considerable industry experience to her work as corporate director of human resources at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami. In this position, Jill Marten develops practices and procedures for outpatient clinics and other locations. Pursuing an active life outside of work, Marten has competed in a bicycle race for multiple sclerosis.

An important part of cycling and bicycle ownership is proper maintenance, and one major aspect of bike maintenance is keeping it clean. How often you clean your bicycle depends on how you ride. Taking your bike into muddy environments or riding it hard necessitates a frequent cleaning schedule. You should not simply turn a hose on a bike. Water, especially out of a pressurized hose, can damage sensitive bicycle parts. Use water carefully and sparingly. Most parts are best cleaned with a clean dry or damp rag. Others require buffing, brushing, or lubricating. Fluids to use include a solvent for the bike chain; do not use turpentine or kerosene. Some grime cannot be cleaned simply by rinsing. Diluted dishwashing liquid or a ready-made wash are good for cleaning the frame. Always use clean rags. Brushes, especially old toothbrushes, are best for cleaning some parts.

Nerium International Raises $1 Million for Big Brothers Big Sisters

Jill Marten, an accomplished human resources executive, has worked as corporate director of HR for the Miami-based Baptist Health South Florida since 2012. Outside of her professional activities, Jill Marten serves as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a nonprofit mentoring organization that matches adult role models with children 6 to 18 years of age in 340 communities throughout the United States.

Big Brothers Big Sisters recently announced that it has received a donation of $1 million from Nerium International, a skin-care company headquartered in Addison, Texas. Nerium’s donation, which will have a direct impact on children nationwide, establishes the company as Big Brothers Big Sister’s single largest corporate donor.

In order to reach its $1 million goal, Nerium launched a number of fundraising initiatives throughout the year, including Big Brothers Big Sisters signature Bowl for Kids’ Sake program. Nerium and its partners recently celebrated the success of the campaign by presenting a symbolic $1 million check to Big Brothers Big Sisters representatives at the Get Real Conference in Long Beach, California, on October 24.

LAORA Supports Grieving Families and Honors Donors’ Lives

An experienced human resources professional, Jill Marten currently serves as corporate director of HR at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami. In addition to her work at Baptist Health South Florida, Jill Marten dedicates her time to other Miami-based organizations, including the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency (LAORA) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

One of only 58 federally designated organ recovery organizations regulated by the United Network for Organ Sharing, LAORA serves over 6 million people in south Florida and the Bahamas through various programs and services. In addition to facilitating organ donation, LAORA operates its Donor Family Services Program, a resource that gives donor families access to grief therapy and other support services to help them deal with their loss.

LAORA’s Donor Family Services Program also provides friends and family the opportunity to honor their loved one’s memory through the Gift of Life Quilt, which features individually decorated patches that pay tribute to donors’ lives. LAORA’s Gift of Life Quilts are displayed at hospitals, schools, health fairs, and other events to help the organization raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.

How to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Jill Marten serves as the corporate director of human resources at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami. Jill Marten also interacts with various charitable organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Big Brothers Big Sisters encourages individuals to support its cause in several ways. While donating or volunteering as a “Big” represent two of the more direct ways an individual may contribute, other options include organizational promotion as a social media ambassador; although following Big Brothers Big Sisters on Facebook and Twitter is a great way to start, relying on additional forms of social media to spread the message is even better.

Signing up for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ monthly eNewsletter allows individuals to remain up to date on developments at the organization, including its most recent successes. The newsletter also allows people to take advantage of special Big Brothers Big Sisters offers or participate in a local event. Writing to government representatives, organizing a fundraising event, and discussing the organization with family and friends represent additional to support the organization.

Diversity at Baptist Health South Florida

An experienced human resources executive, Jill Marten currently serves as the corporate director of human resources at Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) in Miami. There, Jill Marten creates and implements human resources policies and programs for all of BHSF’s facilities.

Over the years, BHSF has remained dedicated to recruiting a diverse workforce that fosters an inclusive environment. BHSF maintains facilities throughout Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Broward Counties, which together have been identified as among the most diverse regions of the United States. Therefore, BHSF serves a wide range of people with difference cultural backgrounds, communication styles, and belief systems. To best serve a multicultural community, BHSF retains more than 15,000 staff members who excel at connecting with people from various cultures.

BHSF’s diversity-driven employment practices have resulted in internal satisfaction and external accolades. According to a study by Gallup, BHSF ranks in the 89th percentile for employee satisfaction, which is especially high compared to similar organizations. BHSF has also been recognized by groups like National Association of Female Executives for employing more women executives than any other comparable health group in the region and creating an environment where all employees are given a chance to succeed.

About Bike MS

Jill Marten serves as corporate director of human resources for Baptist Health South Florida in Miami. In her free time, Jill Marten stays active and especially enjoys cycling. She participated in a Bike MS to Key Largo in 2011.

A fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Bike MS started as the result of a bike trip Will Munger (executive director of the Minnesota Chapter of the MS Society at the time) and his soon took from Duluth to Minneapolis, a 150-mile trip that took two days. He realized that the trip might be a fun and challenging way to get people to bike and raise money for a good cause. The first Bike MS was held in 1980, with 200 participants who embarked on the ride from Minneapolis to Duluth. Slowly, other regional chapters took note of the idea and implemented it in their own communities, and the event was officially incorporated by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 1985. Each state currently offers at least one official bike ride each year.

Since 1980, these bike rides have raised more than one billion dollars for research and other services that help individuals living with multiple sclerosis.