MOUNT VERNON – A rose signed by two Knox Community Hospital representatives was placed on this year’s Donate Life float in the Jan. 1 Rose Parade.

Carol Emery, Chief Nursing Officer, and Sandy Kollar, Vice President for Quality at KCH, signed the rose at the hospital several days before the parade on New Year’s Day.

“The Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 is America’s New Year Celebration,” said Jessica Petersen, spokeswoman for Lifeline of Ohio, in a press release. “Lifeline of Ohio is excited to honor Knox Community Hospital for its role in the organ, eye and tissue donation process in a special way as part of the 2022 Donate Life Rose Parade float.”

The rose was placed on the float as a symbol of the hospital’s dedication to organ, eye and tissue donation. KCH took part in “a meaningful tribute which celebrates their role as a vital collaborative partner in these efforts,” the release said.

Knox Community Hospital is a 99-bed, Joint Commission-accredited, community hospital located in Mount Vernon, with additional services located in Centerburg and Fredericktown.

An independent nonprofit organization, Lifeline of Ohio promotes and coordinates the donation of human organs and tissue for transplantation. Lifeline of Ohio serves 78 hospitals in 38 counties in Ohio and two in West Virginia and is designated as an organ procurement organization through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Photo Cutline:

Back row: Sandy Kollar, April Green, Brittany Tutorow, Adonyah Whipple and Carol Emery.

Front row: Brooke Sapp (holding the sign) and Hannah Holt.