Hackensack University Medical Center Honors and Recognizes Trauma Survivors and Care Teams on World Trauma Day 2018   

Hackensack University Medical Center Honors and Recognizes Trauma Survivors and Care Teams on World Trauma Day 2018

Shane O’Keefe and his family won’t ever forget the night of August 31, 2017. Shane was riding his motorcycle on Route 120 in East Rutherford, heading home from a friend’s house when the front tire hit the curb and he was thrown in one direction while his motorcycle went in another. Shane’s body hit a double posted street sign with such force that it caused extensive, life-threatening, internal bleeding. He was taken to the Emergency and Trauma Center at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center where he was rushed into surgery. Shane spent two weeks in the hospital, including one week in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

“To learn about everything I put my body through that night and still being able to walk out of this hospital is an absolute miracle,” said Shane O’Keefe. “I don’t think I would have survived my injuries from that accident had I not come to Hackensack University Medical Center. I wouldn’t be here today, if not for the skill and dedication of the trauma surgeons and the other members of the team who took care of me. I can’t thank them all enough for saving my life.”

Shane was one of 10 trauma patients and members of their care teams who were recognized by Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center in honor of World Trauma Day. The Emergency and Trauma Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is Bergen County’s only Level II trauma center and one of only 10 trauma centers designated by the State of New Jersey.

“World Trauma Day is about honoring survivors and we are truly inspired by their courage and determination,” said Robert C. Garrett, co-CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health.  “They represent hope in every sense of that word. And, we honor the dedication of our trauma team. The countless number of lives they’ve saved and the countless number of patients and families they help each year is incredible.”

World Trauma Day is celebrated on October 17. It began in 2011 in New Delhi, India.

“Globally, trauma deaths are the fourth largest cause of all human death all around the world, approximately 1.2 million deaths per year, ” said Sanjeev Kaul, M.D., chief, Division of Trauma/Surgical Critical Care and Injury Prevention at Hackensack University Medical Center.  “Nationally, trauma is the number one cause of death in people from one to 45 years of age. In New Jersey, accidents are the third most common cause of death.”

“I am honored to be here on this World Trauma Day, which highlights the increasing rate of accidents and injuries causing death and disability across the world and the need to prevent them,” said Lisa Tank, M.D., vice president, chief medical officer, Hackensack University Medical Center. “As we recognize the courage and the strength of trauma survivors and the dedication and passion of our team members on World Trauma Day, you are all an inspiration to me.”

“It is important that we take the time to recognize the sacrifice and hard work that the trauma team delivers each and every day,” said Martin S. Karpeh, M.D., chair, Department of Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. “They deliver the highest quality care to our patients and their families each and every day.”

During the program, Pritam S. Grewal Good Samaritan Award was presented. The Grewal Good Samaritan Award was established in continuation of Mr. Grewal’s virtuous service to the medical personnel of Hackensack University Medical Center and in appreciation of the care he received following his car accident in 2012. The Grewal Good Samaritan Award recognizes Hackensack University Medical Center team members who demonstrate compassion and who unselfishly help others. The award was presented to Kevin Hewitt, M.D., acting chair of Emergency Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center.

“The trauma team at Hackensack University Medical Center has been such a large part of our lives and they are like family to us,” said Balpreet Grewal-Virk. “The dedication, the courage and expertise of the entire team is simply incredible. They took such good care of my father during his darkest days after his accident. My family and I are forever indebted to them.”

About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of one of the largest networks in the state comprised of 33,000 team members and more than 6,500 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as one of the top two hospitals in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19 Best Hospital rankings. It was also named one of the top five New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 25 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.

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