LiveOnNY Celebrates Healthcare Heroes at the Inaugural Luminaries & Legacies Event in NYC

LiveOnNY Honors Healthcare Champions at the Luminaries & Legacies Celebration

On April 16, 2026, LiveOnNY hosted its first-ever Luminaries & Legacies Celebration in New York City, focusing on the achievements of metro-area hospitals and honoring notable figures in the organ donation and transplant community. The event served as a platform to acknowledge the critical efforts of healthcare professionals and institutions dedicated to advancing the field of organ donation, as well as recognizing the community leaders who have significantly contributed to enhancing the lives of patients in need.

The celebration highlighted Dr. Robert A. Montgomery, the H. Leon Pachter Professor of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the director of NYU Langone Transplant Institute, as the inaugural 2026 LiveOnNY Luminary. Dr. Montgomery's remarkable leadership within the sphere of organ donation and transplantation has been pivotal in improving medical practices and outcomes in this area. His deep commitment to community service and innovation has been shaped by his own journey as a heart transplant recipient in 2018.

Dr. Montgomery expressed gratitude for receiving this prestigious award, recognizing the collective efforts that have transformed New York into a leader in organ procurement organizations (OPO). He stated, "What has taken place here in New York is extraordinary — LiveOnNY's transformation from one of the lowest-performing organ procurement organizations to a high-performing leader is one of the most significant turnarounds in the history of transplantation."

In addition to honoring Dr. Montgomery, the event also presented awards to various hospitals across the New York metropolitan area for their collaborative efforts in honoring organ donors. The 2025 LiveOnNY Legacies Awardees included prominent institutions such as Garnet Health Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Center. Each hospital received accolades for their dedication and innovative approaches in organ donation and patient advocacy.

Outstanding individual contributors known as Donor Champions were also recognized for their tireless work during a transformative period for LiveOnNY. These individuals have played a crucial role in the 70% increase in lifesaving organ donations facilitated by the organization over the last three years, ultimately resulting in more than 5,000 lives saved.

Leonard Achan, the President and CEO of LiveOnNY, emphasized the importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals to ensure continued growth in organ donations. "Luminaries & Legacies brought together leaders from across the donation and transplant community to reflect on the extraordinary progress we have made and the future we are building together," Achan remarked.

The event also aimed to support LiveOnNY's foundation by raising funds for its Annual Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships annually to students pursuing careers in health services. This initiative is designed to cultivate future leaders committed to making a difference in their communities.

As recognition of its achievements, LiveOnNY has been noted as one of the top-performing OPOs in the United States, indicating a collective commitment to saving lives through enhanced organ donation practices. The efforts of LiveOnNY, hospital partners, and community donors are essential in building a world where every individual in need of an organ transplant can access this crucial service without delay.

In conclusion, the inaugural Luminaries & Legacies Celebration by LiveOnNY stands as a testament to the significant impact of community collaboration in the realm of organ donation and healthcare innovation. The event not only honored those who have made lifesaving contributions but also inspired ongoing commitment towards the noble cause of organ donation for future generations.