Retired Intermountain St. Vincent Hospital Physician Gives Thanks for Life-Saving Trauma Care Close to Her Montana Home
On Jan.12, 2025, Kris Spanjian, MD, a retired critical care physician from Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, encountered a terrifying situation while walking her dog in the bison pasture on her ranch near Billings, Montana.
"I decided to walk in the bison pasture because it was easier to go through the snow with the plowed two-track. Unfortunately, the bison were closer than I had seen," Spanjian said.
Her dog spooked the bison, and the animals attacked the dog and Spanjian. Sudden and intense, the attack involved multiple hits and stomps.
"I was beaten up pretty bad and had to lie in the snow for about 20 minutes pretending I was dead before they left me alone," Dr. Spanjian said.
As a physician, she assessed her own injuries, assuming that she had dislocated her right shoulder and potentially had broken ribs, among other serious cuts and bruises.
Despite her injuries, she managed to walk back to her house, find her husband, and call 911.
Because of the severity of her injuries, the responding EMS team called for a medical helicopter to fly her a short distance to Intermountain St. Vincent.
“As a former member of our medical staff, it was well known that Dr. Spanjian had a bison ranch west of town,” said Barry McKenzie, MD, trauma medical director at Intermountain St. Vincent Hospital. “When the emergency department told me HELP flight was on scene for a bison related injury in that area, I immediately thought of Kris.”
Upon arrival at the hospital, the physician was now the patient, and she was greeted by familiar faces and former colleagues.
"In the ER, I heard Dr. McKenzie shout, 'Hey, Kris, it's Barry,’” she said. “They were all swarming and doing whatever they could to help me.”
Upon additional assessment, Dr. Spanjian learned the extent of her injuries.
"I had three ribs on the left in the front that were broken, my sternum was broken, and I had three vertebrae that were broken in my back," she said.
Additionally, her shoulder was not only dislocated but also potentially broken, and nerve damage left her shoulder numb and weak. She was also suffering multiple wounds and contusions.
“Kris arrived cold and in pain and our trauma team went to work. We did our best to treat her like any other patient, but caring for a well-known provider and former colleague does add some pressure. The whole team did great,” said Dr. McKenzie. “From our EMS providers and HELP flight team to the ER team and ICU staff, I was really proud. They were ready to care for her and closely monitored her during her first several days in the hospital.”
Her multiple injuries required immediate and comprehensive medical attention, highlighting the critical role of the multidisciplinary trauma team at Intermountain St. Vincent.
Having received designation as a Level I Trauma Center in April 2024, Intermountain St. Vincent provides the highest level of trauma care in the region.
Dr. Spanjian emphasized the importance of this designation, understanding that all necessary specialists are available 24/7 to respond to patients like her with serious injuries.
The presence of specialists, including, trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, intensivists, and others, provided her peace of mind and comprehensive care during her stay at the hospital, she said.
Her recovery involved multiple departments and a team approach. She spent two days in the intensive care unit and was transferred to a recovery floor before she could return home.
"The wound care team was so helpful, the nursing staff was attentive, and the physical therapy team worked with me to regain mobility," she said.
The familiarity with the staff and the hospital environment also provided comfort and reassurance during a scary time. “It was kind of like being home. The trauma team is a great crew, and I trusted them 100%. I knew that I'd get good care,” she said.
As Dr. Spanjian continues her recovery, including a recent shoulder replacement surgery, she looks forward to resuming her active lifestyle. That includes a planned fly-fishing trip to the Amazon in Brazil.
"My fishing trip is in six months. That's my goal," she shared.
Her story highlights the exceptional, holistic care provided by the trauma and critical care teams at Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital and the importance of having a Level I Trauma Center serving the community.
“Our goal is to get patients back to their lives before the trauma as much as possible. For Dr.Spanjian, we want her back on the water casting flies with a big smile on her face,” said Dr. McKenzie.