Syndi Bultman

More than any other disease or illness, traumatic injuries are a leading cause of death among people who are 1 to 44 years old.

Traumatic injuries can include motor vehicle collisions, sports injuries, unexpected falls and accidents, wounds from natural disasters and a multitude of other physical injuries, which can occur at home, in public, while driving, at work or anywhere else, and require immediate care

This year, the Trauma Services District, located at Lee Health’s Gulf Coast Medical Center, celebrates three decades of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. In honor of the 30-year anniversary and in conjunction with Trauma Awareness Month in May, the Trauma Center is focused on amplifying education, awareness and resources for the Southwest Florida community.

What is the Trauma Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center?

Since opening in 1994, the only state-approved Trauma Center between Sarasota and Miami, has seen 58,261 patients, with the number continuing to rise as the population in Southwest Florida continues to grow.

The Trauma Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center currently averages around 400 patients each month and treats the most complex and life-threatening cases, with more than 90% involving blunt trauma from falls, motor vehicle accidents and motorcycle crashes. These accidents and injuries can have a profound, lifelong impact on individuals, families and communities.

Previously located at Lee Memorial Hospital, the Trauma Center moved to Gulf Coast Medical Center in 2022 as part of a major expansion to the hospital to enhance patient care and better serve the Southwest Florida community. The health system made history at the time as the first health system in Florida to move a trauma program.

Gulf Coast Medial Center is located at 13681 Doctor’s Way in Fort Myers.

The Trauma Center is a safety net for many families and individuals in the community as they go about their everyday lives, not anticipating sustaining a traumatic injury.

How does the Trauma Center support the community and provide life-saving care?

Trauma centers play a key role in saving thousands of lives by ensuring that severely injured patients receive critical care within the “Golden Hour.” Treatment administered during this crucial first hour following severe injury can mean the difference between temporary and permanent disability and even life and death. The centrally located Gulf Coast Medical Center makes this possible for cases in the five-county area.

Studies of conventional trauma care show that up to 35% of trauma patient deaths could have been prevented if a trauma center had been available nearby.

The Trauma Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center also relies on a span of services known as the trauma continuum, beginning with 911 dispatchers, Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, EMS, pilots, flight nurses, fire departments and law enforcement.

Once life saving measures have occurred for the patient, the care expands to include emotional and psychological side effects that impact the entire family, including support groups and mentor programs.

The Trauma Center is also a resource for the community to help raise awareness of injury prevention and safety with programs, including High Risk Driver, Young Driver, Youth Violence Prevention, Driving Safety for Seniors, Falls Prevention and Sports Injury prevention.

How can the community learn more about the Trauma Center?

An optimally functioning trauma system requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. The community can learn more about the Trauma Center and how it works at a series of events spanning three weeks aimed at raising awareness about trauma care and its impact on individuals and communities this month in honor of the 30 years of service.

The following events will be at Gulf Coast Medical Center, located at 13681 Doctor’s Way, Fort Myers:

• Touch a Truck on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Located in the parking lot at the Daniels Parkway entrance, attendees will be able to engage in conversations with Trauma Center team members and partners, including the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Medical Services and various law enforcement offices from participating counties. The Lee Health Blood Mobile and Lee Health Trauma providers will also be in attendance.

• Coffee Talk with a Trauma Doctor on Friday, May 17, from 9-10:30 a.m.: Located in the hospital’s center atrium, guests will be able to ask questions and gain insight from a Lee Health trauma provider.

• Dedication on Friday, May 24, at 10 a.m.: There will be a tree planting, bench and plaque added to the courtyard for trauma families, friends, ambassadors and survivors.

To learn more about Lee Health’s trauma services, please visit LeeHealth.org.

Syndi Bultman is the Trauma Injury Prevention & Resource Coordinator for Lee Health.