Gallatin, TN – Sumner Regional Medical Center held the first Celebration of Survivors event, bringing together survivors of traumatic injuries and their hospital and EMS care teams. Three former patients along with their families were invited to share stories, reflect in gratitude, and celebrate with the direct members of their care teams who nursed, rehabilitated, and doctored them back to health.
Most of the time, hospital-based nurses, technicians, and EMS crews do not know the short or long-term outcomes of the patients they treat. To be able to hear from some of the more memorable incidents and learn of these patients’ recovery journeys brought this group of dedicated healthcare professionals hope and emotional healing. Chief Medical Officer Geoffrey Lifferth, MD, said that the anecdote to the stress and burnout often experienced by healthcare workers are these moments in which life gets to be celebrated.
At the event, Rod Harkleroad, RN, CEO of Sumner Regional Medical Center welcomed EMS crews, staff and patients Ms. Marcella Ray, Mr. William “Jeff” Morris, and Dr. Gary “Beau” Yawn to share in the day. “Today is a chance to reconnect and see that the work you are doing is worth it,” Harkleroad told the crowd, which included emergency and critical care nurses who cared for the patients.
Ms. Ray suffered a fall at home and was found by her son. EMS was called and provided care to the patient on the scene. On arrival to the Sumner Regional Medical Center emergency department, the patient was evaluated quickly and CT scans showed a large traumatic brain bleed. Neurosurgery physicians evaluated the patient within minutes and the decision was made to perform an operation that ultimately saved her life. After extensive rehabilitation, Ms. Ray is doing well today, and met many of her caregivers for the first time, as she was not attuned to her surroundings while in hospital care.
Another patient at the event, Mr. William “Jeff” Morris also experienced a traumatic brain injury. TBIs account for about 176 deaths daily in the United States. They most commonly occur from a fall, firearm-related injury, motor vehicle crash or an assault. Timely recognition of these injuries is pertinent to increasing the likelihood of survival and the patient’s quality of life. Mr. Morris was the victim of an assault. He had a severe brain bleed and several other injuries. He spent four weeks at Sumner Regional, mostly in the critical care unit, fighting for his life with his healthcare team by his side.
“You will never know how much it means to us,” said his wife, Lisa Morris. She said the nurses were his advocates and cheerleaders and the Morris family is eternally grateful to them.
Dr. Yawn is a cardiologist on the medical staff at Sumner Regional, but one summer day, he came the patient as he suffered from a stroke at his home. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the country and recognizing symptoms early and getting early intervention at a hospital is critical to outcomes. Time is brain in the event of a stroke. There is only a short window to administer a clot-busting medication. The goal at Sumner Regional is to administer the clot busting medication within 60 minutes of arrival at the hospital for patients experiencing stroke symptoms within a 4.5 hour window form the onset of stroke symptoms. Dr. Yawn recognized his stroke symptoms and was able to call an ambulance and arrive to the hospital within an hour of his symptoms starting. On arrival to the hospital, his symptoms were recognized as a possible stroke and a Code FAST was initiated. After assessment, imaging and tele-neurology consult, the decision was made to administer the drug. Dr. Yawn received what is known as tPA at 41 minutes of arrival, an hour and 40 minutes from when his stroke symptoms started. He was discharged from the hospital two days later with no symptoms of his stroke. Dr. Yawn stated that the process from start to finish went smoothly and thanked the team that reacted quickly to make sure he could eat his favorite foods and enjoy time with his family.
Not every patient that comes by ambulance or other means is able to celebrate. And for those who have lost their lives, the Sumner Regional team stopped for a moment of silence.
Each member of the care team was also honored with a certificate and the presentation of a Sumner Regional Medical Center Challenge Coin. Challenge coins are common amongst military and law enforcement; these coins, which come in all shapes and sizes, are swapped between units, awarded for valor, or for service in special events. Our coins served as a recognition of excellence for the nurses, EMS staff, doctors, and surgeons’ live-saving efforts for these survivors.
About Sumner Regional Medical Center
Sumner Regional Medical Center is a 167-bed acute care facility in Gallatin, Tennessee. It is the largest hospital of HighPoint Health System and offers a wide range of services including emergency, diagnostic, surgical, women’s, cardiovascular, neurosurgical, and both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative services. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and features an accredited Chest Pain Center, Primary Stroke Center, Level III Trauma center and an accredited Cancer Center. For more information about Sumner Regional Medical Center, visit MySumnerMedical.com
