By WMBD-TV
BLOOMINGTON – In July, Dr. Scott Denton was awarded the Life Saving Partner Award by the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Network.
“I was giving a lecture about why forensic pathologists can help save the living in organ donation. Which is something I don’t get to do often,” said Denton. “So, I was lecturing to coroners. I had finished my lecture and then they had presented me with this lovely award.”
Gift of Hope is a not-for-profit that coordinates tissue and organ donations in parts of Illinois and Indiana.
“We work with all kinds of forensic pathologists across Illinois and we’re blessed. They pick up the phone, they talk to us,” Gina Martin, who works in partner relations. “But Dr. Denton has been a leader in helping us to not only sometimes have hard conversations with other coroners or law enforcement. He helps bring that together. And so it’s been a privilege.”
Other members of Gift of Hope said Dr. Denton goes above and beyond his call of duty.
One particular instance is when he helped bridge the gap between the gift of hope and law enforcement during an investigation.
“So, Dr. Denton, on a Saturday early morning, he sat on the phone with this sergeant. And he walked through the importance of it, how a thorough investigation and donation can co-exist,” said Supervisor of Partner Relations Debbie DeVito.
Denton’s work as a pathologist allows him to help families of the deceased.
“At the autopsy, I can try to find things that might affect the living. Like if I find a lethal condition that might be inheritable, I can tell the family they need to get checked out and prevent further deaths. Which has happened,” said Denton. “Carbon monoxide deaths are one way. If I find carbon monoxide I can help people not get re-exposed to it.”
He also helps with the transplanting of organs. Giving him another opportunity to help the living.
“If I can facilitate that, I can help these organs that are easily transplantable in someone who unfortunately is on their way to be deceased or brain deceased, they can actually donate those organs and I can help save the living that way. For me it’s personal and it’s professional,” Denton said.
Denton has been a forensic pathologist since 1996. He independently performs autopsies for Illinois coroners.
WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].
