Trauma Center
The Division of Emergency Medical Operations, Office of Trauma certified on as of July 1st, 2010, Lawnwood’s Treasure Coast Trauma Center Provisional Level II will begin operating as an official state-certified Level 2 Trauma Center. Since May 2009, The Treasure Coast Trauma Center was under a provisional status, pending state inspections and surveys.
“I want to thank the nurses, staff, physicians, and all involved from the ER to Outpatient-- all the personnel at Lawnwood that made this happen,” said CEO Rodney Smith, “We know it was a 3-year journey from start to finish, and would not be possible without all of you at Lawnwood. I also wish to thank the State for their expertise and guidance in helping us to achieve this status. For the community, they can take comfort in the fact we know 89% of our patients are coming right here from the local community, instead of being transferred an hour away for care via trauma helicopter, serving them faster, within the golden hour to save lives.”
“Passing the survey is an honor for this hospital. The big difference is the hospital is not just an emergency room, this is a trauma center. As a trauma center we have 24-hour availablility of a lot of specialists we did not have before,” said Trauma Program Director Tom Ellison, “it increases the level of care for every patient that comes through our doors.”
“It’s elevated the quality for care for all patients because our nurses are so well-trained and are competent to manage anything that comes through the door from arrival to discharge,” said Brenda Dupree, Chief Nursing Officer at Lawnwood Regional.
Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute’s Treasure Coast Trauma Center receives traumatically injured patients from St.Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Martin counties. Patients are brought by air and by ground to Lawnwood’s Treasure Coast Trauma Center for care by the specialized Trauma Team. This team includes Trauma / Critical Care Surgeons, Trauma Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurosurgeons, Plastic Surgeons, and 18-plus specialized physicians including more than 100 trauma-specialty trained nurses. On March 29, 2010, the Treasure Coast Trauma Center underwent an intensive Site Survey administered by the Florida Department of Health to demonstrate compliance with the strict regulations set forth for trauma centers. After successful completion of this Site Survey, The Treasure Coast Trauma Center will now be a permanent Verified Level II Trauma Center to serve all residents in the region beginning July 1st.
A Trauma Center differs from a typical emergency department in that it is equipped to provide specialized, comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries. A key component is having a trauma surgeon at the patient’s bedside within minutes after notification of the arrival of a patient judged to be in need of rapid assessment of injuries, which is a critical factor in successful treatment. The Trauma Surgeon is the captain of a Trauma Team that is rapidly assembled before the patient arrives. EMS triages patients according to the seriousness of their injuries, and transports the most seriously injured to Lawnwood’s Treasure Coast Trauma Center. The specialized training, experience, and skills of the center’s surgeons, physicians, nurses, and staff have been responsible for saving more than 900 lives and hastening patient recoveries at every stage of the process.
To contact the trauma department, call (772) 461-4000 and ask an operator to transfer you.
Additional Information
- Our Trauma Team
- Our Surgeons
- About the Department Director
- Trauma Prevention Tips
- Read the Trauma Center press release
- Lawnwood Regional Medical Center Trauma Care Fact Sheet
- USF Health & HCA Trauma Care Fact Sheet
- HCA & USF Health Working Together to Improve Trauma Care in Florida
- USF Health Hires Two Prominent Surgeons To Lead Trauma Initiative
Our Surgeons
- Dr. Victor DaSilva, Chief of Neurosurgery
- Dr. Christian Schuetz, Trauma Critical Care Surgeon
- Dr. Chris Cromwell, Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon
- Dr. Kenneth Bridges, General Surgery
- Dr. William Stanton, Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon
- Dr. Brad McCollom, Trauma Neurosurgeon
- Thomas Ellison, Director of Trauma Services
- Dr. F. True Lansden, Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon, Trauma Critical Care Surgeon
- Dr. Setu Dalal, Trauma Critical Care Surgeon
- Dr. Anjan Shah, Trauma Orthopedic Surgeon
- Dr. Jose Diaz, Trauma Critical Care Surgeon