Contributed
Trauma survivors are expressing their gratitude for the care they received at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital following a recent emotional reunion during the hospital’s annual Trauma Survivor Celebration.
Held each year during National Trauma Awareness Month, the reunion recognizes the strength and bravery of patients who have survived life threatening injuries and celebrates first responders and care team members dedicated to treating traumatic injury patients.
Julie Tindel was critically injured during Hurricane Nicole in 2022 by a falling tree that crushed her leg among other injuries. She attended the celebration on Wednesday to thank the team who saved her life.
“I just want to say thank you to the whole trauma team and our EMS workers,” Tindel said. “I honestly believe if it wasn’t for every single person who was here that day, if one person had taken that day off work, I probably wouldn’t be here. I am just thankful every day to still be here and, because of all of you, to be able to be my son’s mom.”
As Seminole County’s only Level II trauma center, HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital provides a higher level of care than a hospital emergency room. Unlike a standard emergency department, trauma centers have specialized personnel, equipment and protocols to provide rapid, expert care, particularly during the critical "golden hour," the 60 minutes after an injury. Receiving care at a trauma center can significantly reduce the likelihood of mortality from a life-threatening trauma injury compared to non-trauma hospitals.
“At HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, we believe healing happens through collaboration – from the very first moments with EMS, through the hospital stay, and long into recovery. That’s what this annual event is about – honoring the journey and everyone who makes it possible,” said John Gerhold, CEO, HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital. “To our survivors, your resilience is humbling. To your families, your love and advocacy are powerful. And to our colleagues here at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital and our EMS partners in the community, thank you for showing up every day with heart and purpose.”
During the event, trauma team members and EMS providers received Hero Pins in recognition of their lifesaving work.
“Today is about recognizing our trauma survivors – resilient individual who have fought their way back from the brink and the families who have stood beside them every step of the way. But survival is rarely a solitary achievement,” said Dr. Sanjiv Gray, trauma medical director, HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital. “In trauma, we often talk about the Trauma Chain of Survival – the continuous, linked effort of the entire community. The hospital is only one part of the story. Our team is especially grateful to our emergency medical services partners whose response is vital in the critical moments after a traumatic injury.”
After their reunion with the patients they had cared for, the hospital trauma team presented them signed photos. Then each survivor placed a butterfly sculpture in the Trauma Survivor Garden in front of the hospital.
Part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the state’s largest healthcare network, HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital was recently ranked among the nation’s top 250 hospitals by Healthgrades®, a comprehensive online resource that evaluates hospital quality based on clinical outcomes. To learn more about healthcare services in the area, visit hcafloridahealthcare.com.
