Memorial Hermann The Woodlands celebrates trauma survivor success stories

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Recently, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center held its annual Trauma Survivors Celebration, a heartwarming gathering of former patients who came to the hospital system on the verge of death and were nursed – and doctored – back to health thanks to the dedicated medical staff at the hospital.

The Howard Hughes Conference Center in the hospital’s South Tower was filled with trauma survivors and the first responders and medical staff who saved them, along with family members, hospital administrators, and members of the media to commemorate the celebration.

Trauma survivorship is of paramount importance to the entire staff of the hospital, as evidenced by Justin Kendrick, Senior Vice President and CEO of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, talking to Woodlands Online about the commemoration event.

“It’s amazing. This is one of the best days of the year, and we’re really in the business of giving back anniversaries and birthdays and special holidays, It’s not only a part of these survivors’ journeys to come back, but it’s a part of our own staff’s journey to get that ‘loop closure.’ Oftentimes, we don’t get that closure; our staff take care of the patients, who then leave and go about their lives. So in this gathering today, for the staff to still be a part of these people’s lives, it’s more meaningful than most people could understand.”

The event kicked off with a welcome from Dr. Kavina Juneja, F.A.C.S., the hospital’s Trauma Medical Director. “We’re here to celebrate all of you,” she told the assembly. She pointed out that a majority of trauma victims who came through the hospital’s doors were elderly in years, and so the hospital is developing several special programs to particularly service their needs.

“We show up to take care of you, and it’s your success that makes it worth it for us,” she said.

Next, several ‘first time’ trauma survivors one by one approached the lectern and told their stories. Aubrey Angerstein was a teenager involved in a fatal auto accident that killed two of her friends as she suffered a broken ankle, femur, and pelvis, along with torn carotid arteries, a broken jaw, and slipped spinal discs. “You all can do it and be strong,” she said.

Bailey Anderson and boyfriend Sam Dahmen were two victims of the same accident where they were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Bailey survived skull restoration and Sam underwent a leg amputation, but their joy at still being alive was evident.

Christian King, Eli Martin, and Krystal Munoz were all victims of motorcycle accidents, with injuries ranging from broken bones to a leg amputation. “Everything will get better; it does get better. There are brighter days ahead, life goes on; we’re all here for a reason,” said Christian.

Deanna Deleon recounted her auto accident in which her husband was killed instantly. She herself died twice, as she was Life Flighted in due to a stroke and brain bleed. Placed in a medically induced coma for seven weeks and then transferred to TIRR for further rehabilitation, she showed substantial recovery to the assemblage of well-wishers at the event. “If someone tells you you can’t do something, well, then, screw them,” she said, eliciting laughter and applause from the crowd.

In keeping with the reunion feel of the event, a dozen trauma survivors who had previously celebrated their special day returned and lined up to give the assembly updates on their lives. Without fail, each trauma survivor, old and new, profusely thanked their families, the first responders who initially treated them, and the various teams of Memorial Hermann medical personnel who put them on the path to recovery.

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