By Jody Kohn
One of the best parts about being an athlete is the ability to bring a smile to the face of others, even if things aren’t going particularly great. That’s just what happened recently when I accompanied 2012 Olympic boxer Michael Hunter, along with his younger brother Keith Hunter, to the UMC Trauma Burn Center.
I must admit, I was a little apprehensive joining these two on a trip to the facility that helps take care of people who have been severely burned, especially since the group we would be visiting were kids at the Children’s Hospital. But they were both enthusiastic about the opportunity to visit some younger people, and hopefully offer them just a moment or two of relief from the challenges that they are facing.
As we entered, we were greeted warmly by a security guard who told us our host, Erica, would be along shortly. Sure enough, Erica, the Community Relations Coordinator, was right on time and she realized that she already knew Michael from some boxing training she had done years before! Dineen, the Pediatric Coordinator, also joined us for the tour.
Our first stop was to the room of a young lady named Heidi. She was 17 and had just been involved in a car accident earlier in the day. She had some fairly significant burns on her arms, and her left leg was pretty severely injured. She told us that she was just able to escape her car moments before it was completely engulfed in flames. She seemed to be in good spirits considering what had happened just hours earlier. Hopefully, she will keep the same positive attitude as she goes through a long road back to recovery.
Michael and Keith posed for some pictures with the brave young lady, and it was great, just for a moment, to allow her to focus her attention on something else. If both these young fighters have the same courage she does when they are in the ring, they have great careers ahead of them!
We also visited another young lady who was set to leave in a few hours. You could tell the difference in attitudes of those set to leave and those who are new. She was in great spirits knowing that she was about to resume the rest of her life. We made some jokes and had a great, short conversation about her needing to tell her parents she still needed special care once she left. No reason not to milk it for all it’s worth!
It was a little more difficult when we saw the smaller kids. It is always a terrible feeling when you see kids so small struggling so mightily to overcome something as horrible as a severe burn. Still, we visited several and did our best to have some fun, even though they had no idea why these big, strange people were in their rooms. You could tell they liked to have some different people around to give them some attention.
Michael Hunter, Erica, Dineen, Keith Hunter
Besides visiting patients, we also got to see all the things offered to patients inside this incredible facility. The staff was great as they showed us what each room and contraption was designed to do. Ultimately, I left realizing that if a loved one had to go through something as terrible as a severe burn, they would be in good hands with the people at UMC.
When it was all over, I was certainly glad I went. And it was obvious that both Keith and Michael felt the same. It really puts everything into perspective. Just when you think things are terrible in your own life, you realize that other people are facing much more difficult challenges.
It also showed me a lot about the Hunter brothers. Not only are they great fighters, they are great guys too. They didn’t just go through the motions during the visit. They truly took an interest in every patient and hospital staff member they met. You could tell that they really cared.
We said our goodbyes for the day, but made plans to make more visits in the future. Next time we hope to do a little more, perhaps showing off some of the skills the Hunter’s possess.
I would like to thank all the wonderful people at UMC for their warm hospitality during our visit. Each and every one of them were gracious, and you could tell they loved what they are doing. And I also hope for a speedy recovery and a long, prosperous life to all the young people we met. They are truly an inspiration.
To learn more about the wonderful things going on at UMC, please check them out HERE.
ABOUT UMC Trauma Burn Center:
Their highly specialized personnel and dedicated resources are focused on giving life saving trauma care to patients that meets or exceed the standards found at top rated trauma centers around the country.
Offering the highest level trauma care in the state of Nevada, UMC is the lead agency for the newly developed Trauma System in Nevada. This level of care for injured patients is continuously pursued through clinical care services, active research, education, outreach, and prevention programs. The facility and its staff members provide 24 hour care, standing by to receive, stabilize and treat those whose lives are threatened by multi system injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, burns, and those at risk for multi system organ failure.
In 2013:
– The Trauma Center cared for 11,883 patients and had 2,127 admissions.
– 11% of the Trauma admissions were transferred from other facilities.
– 75% of Trauma patients were male, and 25% female.
– Patient age distribution: 0-17 yrs: 16%, 18-29 yrs: 27%, 30-49 yrs: 32%, 50+ yrs.: 25%
– Of the 2,127 admissions, 29% were motor vehicle accidents, 16% were motorcycle collisions, 13% were falls, 8% were pedestrians, “Other” was 34%
– 12% of their admissions went directly to OR from Resuscitation, while 25% were admitted to Trauma ICU.
– 25% of their patients had an ISS>15
