UofL Health – UofL Hospital joined with patients, Governor Beshear, and other trauma centers from across the state to recognize National Trauma Survivors Day and the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
UofL Hospital traces its trauma roots back to 1911, to the ambulance service created for the former General Hospital. Best practices from Louisville, and throughout the state, laid the foundation for the establishment of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Fractures in 1922 that evolved into the Committee on Trauma.
“I’m excited to take part in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and its significant contributions to preventing injury and saving lives in Kentucky, the United States, and around the globe,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “It’s fitting that the milestone of a century has been reached during National Trauma Awareness Month. We are so grateful for the invaluable work that has been accomplished and will continue to be accomplished over the years to come.”
Today, Kentucky’s trauma network includes twenty trauma centers ranging from Level IV to Level I. Collectively the network provides a lifeline to about 14,000 Kentuckians a year, according to the Kentucky’s 2020 State Trauma Registry. UofL Hospital is one of only two Level I adult trauma centers in the state.
“So much has been accomplished in trauma medicine over the past century that, in a way, it is its own moon shot. Here in Louisville, we are fortunate to know something about that because we have our own version of the progress in exemplary medicine here, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said. “We are so grateful for this regional resource, and what it means to all people who are brought here for treatments that range from prevention through rehabilitation.”
“The commonwealth is fortunate to have a robust and effective trauma system available to Kentuckians throughout the state,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander. “Caring for trauma patients requires a high-functioning team of especially skilled, dedicated, and compassionate professionals. Thank you to all the trauma centers across the state for your heroic work. Also, thank you to the Kentucky Hospital Association for convening the Kentucky Trauma Advisory Committee and for working with our team at CHFS and the Department for Public Health.”
“The commitment of this team saves every day, here and across the world,” said Tom Miller, UofL Health CEO. “Trauma readiness, resources and research at UofL Hospital is part of our commitment care for all Kentuckians and our Indiana neighbors. We’re proud to share our best practices with trauma centers anywhere.”
In 2020, UofL Hospital recorded its highest number of trauma cases in the program’s history, with more than 4,000 patients. As a regional resource, the patients came from across the area representing 87 Kentucky counties and 42 Indiana counties.
“Trauma care is a team effort. It is a collaboration between first responders in the field and our network of trauma hospitals,” said Brian Harbrecht, MD, UofL Hospital medical director for trauma and chair for Kentucky’s Committee on Trauma. “We prepare for the unexpected because you never expect to need us, but much of effort is also focused on prevention.”
UofL Hospital outreach programs include:
- Future Healers – medical career shadow program for at risk youth
- Violence Intervention – wrap around community support program for victims of violent crime
- Stop the Bleed – training bystanders to prevent blood loss until emergency help arrives
- Trauma Facility Dog
- Art Therapy
- Trauma Support Groups
For more information on UofL Hospital Trauma go to uoflhealth.org.
