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Former trauma patients share stories

 
Sammy, now 3, was riding in the back seat of his grandmother’s car when their vehicle was hit by another car at an intersection in Brandon. The crash was severe and so violent that it bent his car seat but he escaped permanent injuries.
Sammy, now 3, was riding in the back seat of his grandmother’s car when their vehicle was hit by another car at an intersection in Brandon. The crash was severe and so violent that it bent his car seat but he escaped permanent injuries.
Published May 20, 2016

In honor of National Trauma Awareness month, Tampa General Hospital, the only Level 1 trauma center in the region, hosted their Trauma Awareness Luncheon on May 18.

Former patients, who have survived everything from boating accidents to horrific car accidents, were invited back to share stories of recovery and reunite with their caregivers.

Yvrose Pierre addressed the room, talking about how happy she was when she became well enough to brush her own hair after she was hit by a car while walking in 2015.

Russell Ramsey shared his patient experience at Tampa General Hospital, while Heather Coronado reunited, like many fellow former trauma patients, with her caregiver.

Another former patient, Brenda Harvey spoke about the day she was injured in a head-on truck collision in 2013.

Afterward, surgical technician Sharon Bobak thanked Harvey for sharing her emotional story.

Stephen Cowen kissed his wife Sharon Cowen as they talked about his road to recovery after a fall resulting in a brain injury.

The youngest attendee was 3-year-old Sammy, who was just 7 months old when the car he and his grandmother, Karen Hutcheson, were in was hit at an intersection in Brandon.

Hutcheson also had the chance to connect and speak with emergency department nurse Frank Fritz. "I can finally find peace from that accident," Hutcheson said.

She finds solace in being able to bring her grandson, Sammy to the luncheon to share their testimonial with others.