HOUSTON, May 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As nationally recognized leaders in trauma care with one of the country's busiest Level 1 trauma centers, the Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center Campus announced today the establishment of The Texas Trauma Institute, which will devote clinical resources and enhanced research to further improve survivability and quality of life for both adult and pediatric trauma patients.
"The Texas Trauma Institute is a first of its kind in Texas, better integrating clinical care in order to further educate, diagnose and provide the best possible care for our trauma patients," said Craig Cordola, chief executive officer at the Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center Campus. "We have built a great legacy as leaders in the field of trauma medicine under the direction of Dr. James "Red" Duke, Jr., and the Institute will continue to set the standard in advancing outcomes."
The Institute is built on a long-term affiliation with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School and brings together a world-class team of clinicians, researchers and educators armed with the latest in research and technology to deliver on its mission to provide comprehensive, life-saving services to the residents of the Gulf Coast Region.
Today, trauma injury remains the leading cause of death and disability for Americans under the age of 44, with one occurring every four seconds.
"With trauma injury projected to be the leading cause of death worldwide by the year 2020, the Institute will provide us with a unique opportunity to move research from the laboratory to the bedside," said John B. Holcomb, M.D., FAACS, director of The Texas Trauma Institute and chief of the division of acute care surgery at UTHealth. "The Institute will be a wonderful catalyst for driving innovations in trauma care by providing us with the necessary data that can help improve the survival and recovery rates of trauma victims, not only in the Houston region, but throughout the United States."
Dr. Holcomb's keen understanding of trauma is largely derived from his years of service in the U.S. Army where he achieved the rank of Colonel. His battlefield experience earned him a notable reputation as one of the military's top trauma surgeons, and uniquely positions him to collaborate with government leaders, military leaders and private businesses to help raise awareness about trauma injury to new heights.
The Texas Trauma Institute, which contains 200 beds, provides high-quality care to both adult and pediatric trauma patients and offers a full spectrum of services including access to the renowned Memorial Hermann Life Flight and the City's only verified burn center.
Trauma patients also have access to additional services essential to trauma care: trauma and neuro critical care; trauma surgery; orthopedic surgery; emergency general surgery; emergency medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oral maxillofacial, plastic and ENT surgery; hand surgery and plastic reconstructive surgery; transfusion medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation; OB/GYN; urology; ophthalmology; heart & vascular; anesthesia; radiology; and hospitalists.
About Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center
Founded in 1925, Memorial Hermann was the first hospital to open in the world-renowned Texas Medical Center in Houston. For more than a century, the hospital has set new standards of care in Texas and across the nation. Built on a long-term affiliation with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School, Memorial Hermann – TMC and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital bring together a world-class team of clinicians, researchers and educators under one roof. The 865-bed Campus provides exceptional care in the areas of trauma, heart, neuroscience, orthopedics, women's health, general surgery, organ transplantation, oncology and more. As a certified Level I trauma center at Memorial Hermann-TMC and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Memorial Hermann is home to the Texas Trauma Institute and provides 24-hour emergency and trauma care. In 1976, the hospital established Memorial Hermann Life Flight® – the first air ambulance service in Texas – which currently performs more than 3,000 annual missions with a fleet of six state-of-the-art helicopters. Memorial Hermann – TMC encompasses three renowned institutes including the Mischer Neuroscience Institute, the Heart & Vascular Institute and the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute - all offering the latest innovations, technology and treatment. For more information, visit http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/texasmedicalcenter/.
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