Windsor hospital recognizes ‘Hidden Heroes’ guiding families through organ donation

Staff members at Windsor Regional Hospital are recognized with a Hidden Heroes certificate for their work with families and patients when it comes to organ and tissue donation. April 20, 2026.(Source: Rusty Thomson)

Staff at Windsor Regional Hospital are being recognized for their work helping guide patients and families through difficult conversations about life‑saving organ and tissue donation during times of crisis.

Hospital officials honoured four staff members with a Hidden Heroes certificate during a ceremony Monday.

Among the recipients is registered nurse Jennifer Jesso, who has worked in the emergency department at the hospital’s Ouellette Campus for the past six years.

Over the past year, Jesso was involved in speaking with the family of a 15‑month‑old toddler who died following a car accident about organ and tissue donation.

Jesso said approaching people who are losing a family member is difficult, but showing empathy is essential.

She said it is an honour to support families during the hardest moments of their lives, adding that compassion, comfort and education about the importance of organ donation can help.

Jesso also said those experiences affect everyone involved, noting it can be especially difficult for families to make decisions when emotions are still raw.

Once a family is ready to consider organ or tissue donation, further discussions take place with physicians and representatives from the Trillium Gift of Life Network before final consent is given.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network recognizes April as Be a Donor month.

During the 2025‑26 fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2026, Windsor Regional Hospital supported 14 organ and tissue donors.

Other recipients of the Hidden Heroes certificate include Dr. Riley Jakob, Dan Fraser and Mackenzie Clifford.