Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital is asking the community to respond to a critical need for blood and show support for local first responders at the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on July 16. 

Appointments are limited, and donors can register now.  

In the Battle of the Badges, blood donors can schedule an appointment and choose a team (fire or police) that will receive credit for each unit donated. The team with the most units collected during the drive will win this friendly competition.  

Appointments are open between 8 am and 1 pm, MT, Thursday, July 16. The event will take place at the Learning Center in Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital, 12911 W. 40^th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colo.

“We’re asking that residents of Jefferson County step up and donate as we move into the active summer season. It’s vital that we have enough blood to treat patients who are undergoing surgeries and procedures, as well as trauma patients who are brought in from the scene of an accident who are fighting for their lives,” said Kaci Lawrence, pre-analytical lab coordinator at Intermountain Lutheran Hospital.  

Every donation saves multiple lives, Lawrence said. One whole blood donation can help multiple patients when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma, and platelets.

While all blood types are needed, Type O (both O positive and O negative) are in high demand. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage.  

“It is the blood type used for the majority of our trauma patients,” said Lawrence. “Type O negative is the universal donor blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is a no time to determine the blood type of female and pediatric patients in the most serious situations.”  

Type O positive is the most common blood type and can also be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.  

To make an appointment to donate during the Battle of the Badges event, visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa/appointment/guest/phl/timeSlotsExtr?token=x6FqFFLekThtNCfzOn*2Bhraut5AXviqIP0GOBi6MTCrQ*3D__;JSU!!HnyL5y5g8FOd9kGaVA!GOuQjiwcgSL3rxX79nox613NJ2af---GavDtz53QlZL7F0EVdyrRpuNdyCEJeVdi3IbLA9BaqGZTxNWEvehJpA$ . 

Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital has launched a new program designed to expedite lifesaving care for patients suffering from some of the most catastrophic injuries in traumatic incidents. 

The new Direct-to-Operating Room (Direct-to-OR) initiative allows caregivers to take patients with penetrating injuries such as stabbings, shootings, or impalements directly from the ambulance bay or helipad to the operating room. This bypasses traditional emergency department processes when every minute counts. 

This approach is part of Lutheran’s ongoing commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care. By streamlining the pathway for trauma patients, the program aims to reduce the time it takes to get into surgery, minimize complications and blood loss, and improve overall outcomes. 

“A penetrating trauma causes bleeding that is almost impossible to stop outside of an operating room,” said Jason Boitnott, Lutheran Hospital trauma performance improvement coordinator. “You need to go in and stop it.” 

Previously, when emergency room caregivers heard from an EMS crew that they were bringing a patient with this type of injury, the hospital would issue an overhead page for full trauma activation. Designated specialists from multiple disciplines would then report to the emergency room and prepare to care for this patient. Still in the emergency room, the patient would be stabilized and quickly prepared for surgery. 

“Now (people who are part of the trauma activation) go to the OR and that all takes place there,” Boitnott said. 

The goal is to move the patient from the ambulance bay or helipad to the dedicated trauma operating room in less than 2 minutes. 

Boitnott said the trauma surgeons who practice at Lutheran recommended the process change. By introducing Direct-to-OR, Boitnott said Lutheran is making advanced trauma care, including care for pediatric patients more accessible. 

“By reducing the steps between arrival and surgery, we’re not only saving time—we’re saving lives,” said Christopher Zaw-Mon, MD, trauma surgeon at Lutheran Hospital. “This program exemplifies our mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible.” 

The Direct-to-OR program is the result of extensive planning and collaboration among emergency medical services, surgical teams, and hospital leadership. Dress rehearsals and process improvement initiatives have ensured that caregivers are prepared to deliver seamless, high-quality care from the moment a patient arrives. 

On Feb. 11, the teams ran through a mock exercise, testing the capabilities and readiness of Direct-to-OR. 
 

Children coming to the hospital for emergency medical care may look and act like small humans, but their needs – especially in a medical emergency – greatly differ from adults. 

That’s the premise behind Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER). 

Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette is now recognized as a COPPER Pediatric Advanced designated hospital. Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction also carries the designation.   

The COPPER designation underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing exceptional medical care to children in emergency situations. The certification, awarded by the Emergency Medical Services for Children program, ensures the highest standards of safety and preparedness for those young patients.  

Intermountain Good Samaritan Hospital caregivers began the journey a year ago by updating policies, obtaining specialized equipment, and ensuring caregivers participated in ongoing education. The team had elements in place to address the unique needs of children in emergencies, and this recognition reinforces that commitment.   

“We are proud of the strides we have made in pediatric care and the positive impact it has on our communities,” said Jannice Juliano, regional service line director for emergency and trauma care for Intermountain Health. 

Juliano is the former emergency department director for Intermountain St. Mary’s Hospital and helped lead that team to achieve the designation.   

Pediatric patients comprise more than 5% of the overall annual volume of patients treated in the Good Samaritan Hospital emergency room, but those patients have unique needs. 

“It’s a lower volume, high risk population for us,” said Marian Dirks, emergency department director at Intermountain Good Samaritan Hospital. “We want to make sure that we are focused on the things we need to do for the pediatric population because they’re not just small adults.”  

Intermountain Health, which has 34 hospitals in six states, continues to support pediatric readiness efforts across the system including regular meetings with the pediatric emergency care coordinators.

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.  

Intermountain American Fork Hospital ha recibido la verificación como Centro de Traumatología de Nivel III por parte de Utah Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (la oficina de servicios médicos de emergencia del departamento de seguridad pública de Utah), lo que reconoce la dedicación del hospital para brindar atención de emergencia y traumatología de calidad a pacientes lesionados. 

Los centros de traumatología certificados son sometidos a revisiones rigurosas y deben cumplir con los criterios esenciales para garantizar la capacidad de atención de traumatología, como lo describe American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma (comité de traumatología del colegio estadounidense de cirujanos). 

La verificación de nivel III significa que Intermountain American Fork Hospital brinda evaluación rápida, reanimación, cirugía, cuidados intensivos y estabilización de pacientes lesionados y operaciones de emergencia, incluida cobertura inmediata las 24 horas por parte de médicos de medicina de emergencia y apoyo rápido por parte de cirujanos generales y anestesiólogos. 

“Esta verificación solo reafirma el compromiso de American Fork Hospital de hacer todo lo necesario para brindar atención a los pacientes de nuestra comunidad”, declaró Jason Wilson, presidente de Intermountain American Fork Hospital. “Estoy muy orgulloso de nuestro equipo de traumatología y su dedicación a la salud y el bienestar de los pacientes de nuestra comunidad”. 

Intermountain American Fork Hospital, que anteriormente fue designado Centro de Traumatología de nivel IV, atiende a más de 700 pacientes con traumatismos al año, y una cantidad significativa de esos son accidentes de bicicleta, caídas, accidentes automovilísticos y accidentes de motocicleta. 

“El equipo de traumatología de American Fork Hospital agradece la sólida relación con nuestros servicios médicos de emergencia locales en toda la comunidad”, afirmó Kourtney Dinehart, enfermera titulada y directora del programa de traumatología de Intermountain American Fork Hospital. “Es ese trabajo en equipo lo que nos permite cumplir y superar estos estándares nacionales y brindar atención de calidad a nuestros pacientes”. 

El programa del American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma cuenta con cinco categorías distintas. Cada categoría tiene criterios específicos que debe reunir un centro que desee obtener dicho nivel de verificación. Los hospitales también deben someterse a una evaluación in situ por parte de un equipo de revisores con experiencia. 

Con la certificación, Intermountain American Fork Hospital ahora está completamente certificado y designado como centro de traumatología de nivel III para los próximos tres años. 
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Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital has received verification as a Level III Trauma Center by the Utah Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Emegeny Medical Services, recognizing the hospital’s dedication to providing quality trauma and emergency care for injured patients.

Certified trauma centers undergo vigorous reviews and meet the essential criteria to ensure trauma care capability, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma.

The Level III verification means that Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care, and stabilization of injured patients and emergency operations – including 24-hour immediate coverage by emergency medicine physicians, and rapid support by general surgeons and anesthesiologists.

“This verification only reiterates the fact that American Fork Hospital is committed to do what is necessary to provide care to patients in our community,” said Jason Wilson, president of Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital. “I’m so proud of our trauma team and their dedication to the health and well-being of patients in our community.”

American Fork Hospital, which previously was designated a Level IV Trauma Center, cares for more than 700 trauma patients annually, with a significant number of those traumas being bicycle accidents, falls, car accidents, and motorcycle crashes.

“The American Fork Hospital trauma team is grateful for the strong relationships with our local emergency medical services across the community,” said Kourtney Dinehart, RN, trauma program director for Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital. “It’s that teamwork that helps us meet and exceed these national standards and provide quality care to our patients.”

There are five separate categories in the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma program. Each category has specific criteria that must be met by a facility seeking that level of verification. Hospitals also must undergo an on-site review by a team of experienced site reviewers.

With the certification, American Fork Hospital is now fully certified and designated as a Level III trauma center for the next three years.

To learn more about Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital, click here.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Images and video available upon request.

For critically injured patients struggling to survive after a car crash or a fall from a high ladder or fast-moving bicycle, the difference between life and death can often be the care they receive at their local hospital trauma center.  

After a vigorous review, the American College of Surgeons has provided an additional level of reassurance to patients who receive care at Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette.  

The ACS reviews compliance with specific standards and has reverified Intermountain Good Samaritan as a Level II Trauma Center.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which oversees trauma programs in the state, has designated the hospital as a Level II Trauma Center. 

A Level II Trauma Center is one of the highest levels for trauma care. It means the hospital can provide comprehensive care for nearly all major traumatic injuries and has 24/7 coverage by surgeons, specialists, and other members of the highly trained trauma team.  

“Level I and II Trauma Centers have the resources and can take care of the most critically injured patients,” said Edward Pyun, MD, trauma medical director for the Intermountain Good Samaritan Trauma Program.  

He noted that not every hospital has the community or resources to support a higher-level trauma center which makes it important for programs like Good Samaritan’s to work with smaller hospitals, share best practices and coordinate to cover all the needs of trauma patients. 

Dr. Pyun said the key to the program is a team approach. 

“Our emergency department, anesthesiology team, radiology department, surgical team, ICU, and operating room work together to provide the streamlined and efficient care that trauma patients need,” Dr. Pyun said. “It is a great team of which the trauma surgery team is just one part. We could not do what we do without them.” 

Located in south Lafayette near the intersection of U.S. 287, Northwest Parkway and Dillon Road, Intermountain Good Samaritan saw more than 35,000 emergency department visits in 2024 and admitted more than 1,100 trauma patients.  

The most common reasons for a patient visit involving a traumatic injury were falls, car crashes and motorcycle crashes.  

Trauma programs must reverify every three years to maintain their verification from the ACS. Intermountain Good Samaritan was first designated by the state as a trauma center in 2006, verified as a Level II Trauma Center in 2013 and has completed a thorough evaluation every three years to be reverified.  

“Being ACS verified means that Intermountain Good Samaritan has the training, personnel and equipment to take care of severely injured patients,” said Stephanie Vega, director of trauma services at the hospital. 

Requirements for a Level II Trauma Center also include:  

• 24/7 available surgical expertise in areas such as general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology 
• 24/7 availability of services including anesthesiology, medical imaging, emergency medicine and critical care 
• A team of experts dedicated to leading the care of complex trauma patients 
• A program for quality improvement to track cases and review outcomes 
• Community outreach programs to provide education on trauma-related issues.  

The Intermountain Good Samaritan Hospital Trauma Program also provides injury prevention education related to trauma awareness with class topics that teach about fall prevention, safe driving, Stop the Bleed, and Wilderness First Aid.   

For more information visit Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital.

Kids' toys can do more than ever thanks to advances in technology, but with that advancement comes serious concerns for small children who can ingest parts of the toys.  

Trauma surgeons at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City are warning parents about the dangers of toys with magnets or button batteries after seeing several cases of them being ingested by kids.  

These magnets and button batteries can have lasting health impacts on children even after they’re removed. 

“We have seen several cases of children ingesting these items, and they can do serious harm like magnets pinching their intestines together or button batteries getting stuck and burning the esophagus,” said Laurie Baumann, MD, trauma surgeon at University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “In some cases, we have to do emergency surgery to remove them and it’s only the start of their health issues.” 

This happened to the McMillan family when their 1-year-old son, Luke, ingested a button battery from a toy, but no one knew it happened.  

His mother, Erica, noticed he had trouble eating and when they checked with local doctors in Arizona, they suggested it might be something else.  

When the issue persisted, they asked doctors for an X-ray and discovered the button battery, which had been lodged in Luke’s esophagus for months.  

“It was hard not knowing what’s wrong with your child, and then to find out it’s a button battery was terrifying,” said Erica. “I just want parents to know this can happen so quickly, and to know what toys they are playing with.” 

After the battery was removed, Erica’s family began looking for long-term treatment options for the damage done to his esophagus. They decided to bring Luke up to Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City for a less invasive treatment. 

Although the battery didn’t burn his insides, Luke, now 3 years old, must go to the hospital every six months to have his esophagus stretched to make sure it stays open.  

Doctors are hoping his body can grow out of needing the treatments, but for now, the damage is lasting. 

Surgeons note these toys aren’t bad, but might not be appropriate for young kids. If other children in the house have these toys, it’s important to discuss keeping them away from their smaller siblings. 

“These kinds of cases can have devastating impacts on a baby and it’s hard to know what’s happening because they’re too young to verbalize what’s happened,” said Dr. Baumann. “Our hope is by having this information before holiday shopping, we can help reduce these types of emergencies in the future.” 

To help members of the community who enjoy spending time outdoors in remote areas, Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital is offering a Wilderness First Aid Class. The class includes the opportunity to become certified in Wilderness First Aid.  

Help may be far away when you are injured or become ill while hiking or recreating in remote areas. As part of its community outreach and education efforts through the program as a Level 2 Trauma Center, Good Samaritan is working with Backcountry Pulse to provide 16 hours of Wilderness First Aid training over a two-day class Nov. 2-3. The course will teach participants how to anticipate risk and hazards, identify medical, traumatic, and environmental problems; recognize life-threatening issues; initiate basic care, and deliver a cohesive report to emergency medical personnel.  

 Dan Cheek is an emergency medicine physician at Good Samaritan and began his career after joining an outdoor leadership program in college followed by a career in ski patrol and teaching for Outward Bound.  

 “I was an avid outdoors person. I took the two-day course, and it completely blew my mind. I’d been venturing into the wilderness not knowing any of this information for years,” he said.  

 After that, he was intrigued about how to care for someone in that environment, limited to the resources you had in your backpack.  

Dr. Cheek said his first experience needing to know wilderness first aid came during that college program in a remote cabin while making dinner. A person spilled boiling water into their boot and suffered second degree burns. They had to hike six miles the next day, and Dr. Cheek said he was prepared to manage the situation well.  

He recommends the wilderness class for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. 

This type of training equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to handle medical emergencies when professional help is not immediately available. Here are some key reasons why wilderness first aid training is important: 

1. Immediate Response: In the wilderness, medical help can be hours or even days away. Wilderness first aid training enables individuals to provide immediate care, which can be critical in preventing further injury or complications.  

2. Life-Saving Skills: The training covers essential life-saving techniques such as CPR, wound care, and managing fractures. These skills can make a significant difference in survival rates during emergencies.  

3. Preparedness: Being trained in wilderness first aid means being prepared for a wide range of scenarios, from minor injuries to severe medical conditions. This preparedness can reduce panic and improve decision-making in stressful situations.  

4. Self-Reliance: Wilderness first aid training fosters a sense of self-reliance and confidence. Knowing how to handle medical emergencies independently can enhance the overall outdoor experience and encourage more people to explore nature.  

5. Team Safety: For groups or teams venturing into the wilderness, having members trained in first aid ensures that everyone’s safety is prioritized. It also promotes a culture of care and responsibility within the group.  

6. Environmental Awareness: The training often includes education on environmental hazards and how to avoid them. This awareness can prevent accidents and injuries, making outdoor activities safer for everyone involved. 

The cost of the class is $195. The class is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday Nov. 2-3. To register, visit intermountainhealthcare.org/classes-and-events/list/wilderness-first aid. Additional classes will be offered in 2025. 

For more information, email grace.greathouse@imail.org. 

WHAT:

As a critical care nurse for 28 years, Karen Conner, 58, from Lander, Wyoming, never thought she would be on the other side of trauma care, but that’s exactly what happened last April. Now, she’s excited to reunite with the Intermountain Health caregivers who helped save her life and to thank them for all that they did for her.

What started out as a leisurely walk on April 21, 2023. along a dirt road in La Verkin, Utah, with her husband and three dogs, she soon found she was in an Intermountain Life Flight helicopter being flown to the trauma center at Intermountain St. George Hospital.

Conner had smelled something very foul and went to check it out, when she tripped on a rock, fell and slid down the cliff side – headfirst – falling more than 40 feet. Only a small rock and a bush on a ledge kept her from falling further below into the Virgin River.

A quick call by her husband to 9-1-1, got Intermountain Life Flight in the air. The crew used a basket and ropes to get her out of the precarious position on the side of the cliff to get her to the hospital.

Conner’s spine and neck were broken in multiple places, she fractured several bones in her right leg and left ankle, as well as receiving a serious head injury, cuts and bruises.

“I felt very grateful I was still alive and not paralyzed,” said Conner. “Intermountain Health did a great job putting a mess back together.”

On Thursday, August 15, Conner is making the eight-hour drive from her home in Wyoming to thank her caregivers.

News media are invited to cover this poignant reunion and to talk to Conner, her caregivers and trauma experts about how high-level falls are now the 2^nd leading cause of injury in Southern Utah and the St. George region, even surpassing motor vehicle crashes.

WHEN:

10:30, am, MT Thursday, Aug 15, 2024

WHERE:

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital – Trauma Center

1380 East Medical Center Drive

St. George, UT 84790

                                                                                                                                                             ###

Representatives from Intermountain St. Mary’s Foundation and Chevron both presented $25,000 checks to the CareFlight of the Rockies Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team during a donation event held on the St. Mary’s Hospital helipad on Tuesday, July 9. 

CareFlight of the Rockies is an air ambulance service for western Colorado, eastern Utah, and parts of New Mexico and started in 1976. The CareFlight CISM Team was created in 2020 in response to the mental health needs of the CareFlight team and other first responders in the three-state area they serve. 

First responders including crews for CareFlight, search and rescue, ski patrol, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, rural hospital emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians, and fire department personnel, all respond to life-threatening medical situations daily.

“The situations we as first responders encounter leave a lasting mark on us as caregivers. In our smaller, rural communities, we’re often providing care for, and sometimes losing people we know personally. And afterward, that can make an already traumatic situation we experience, even more difficult emotionally,” said Kelly Thompson, RN, a flight nurse and chief of operations for CareFlight of the Rockies. 

The CareFlight stress management team -- composed of 10 first responders – currently provides behavioral health support to the larger group of first responders. Support includes mental health focused debriefings and listening sessions held at a moment’s notice for hospital emergency medicine department staff and first responders after especially traumatic events, whether onsite at the hospital, or out in the field.  

“Chevron has made significant donations to CareFlight for the last 10 years. Their recent generous donation, which is being matched by our hospital foundation will help fund the final, crucial piece of the stress management team, providing a local, licensed clinical counselor clinically trained and experienced in first responder trauma therapy for the next three years,” said Carmen Shipley, executive director of philanthropy for Intermountain St. Mary's Foundation.  

“CareFlight is one of the most important components of this region’s medical response capabilities, and Chevron is proud to have supported this team for many years. Their work is critical to our community, often stressful and full of emotions. We now have an opportunity to dedicate our funding to the Critical Incident Stress Management Team to ensure these dedicated caregivers receive the support and relief they need to deal with the incidents they witness on a regular basis,” said Cary Baird, stakeholder engagement and social investment advisor for Chevron’s Rockies Business Unit.

People who work as first responders are called for everybody’s worst day for the patient and family. They carry a lot of emotional burden, from saving lives on a daily basis to the emotional toll of being involved in so many traumatic events. 

“Across the nation, there’s been a culture among first responders where we weren’t allowed to show emotion and just moved on to the next emergency patient. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders were hit especially hard, seeing a lot of deaths and then the angst about if we might bring COVID-19 home to our families,” said Thompson. 

 “Creating a stress management team that can reach all the first responders in our community is unique. It’s helped tear down the stigma that first responders don’t need behavioral health support. It’s created a culture change and safe space for everyone to know sometimes you’re not going to be OK, and each one of us may need some counseling. We’ve had medical transport organizations in other states reach out to us about what we’re doing and how we’re doing it,” she added. 

The trauma trained counselor has office hours for counseling and works with the stress management team to provide education, training, and tools to each crew of first responders on-site to help them recognize behavioral health challenges in themselves or other team members and know how to address them early, before it gets worse. 

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About St. Mary’s Foundation 

St. Mary's Foundation is a separately incorporated not-for-profit organization that exists to invite and encourage philanthropic investment in St. Mary’s Regional Hospital programs and services. 

The Foundation believes that the enduring promise of healthcare philanthropy is the enhanced ability to change lives and the power to save lives. Therefore, it dedicates itself to developing the resources that help keep and expand this promise to the people who trust St. Mary's Regional Hospital to care for them. 

The Foundation gratefully accepts gifts to support St. Mary’s Regional Hospital’s mission. No gift is too small, and your generosity sustains our success and nurtures the future growth of our healthcare ministry. 

About Chevron 

As the largest oil and natural gas producer in Colorado, with approximately 1,000 employees who live and work in the state, our goal is to be a partner and neighbor of choice.   We invest millions of dollars and volunteer thousands of hours in support of community organizations that help our state thrive by enhancing education, protecting the environment, providing essential needs, and supporting arts and culture. 

Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital donará 900 chalecos a puestos de renta de chalecos salvavidas en todo el estado para contribuir a la seguridad de las familias en el agua este verano.

Dado que el Día de los Caídos se considera el inicio del verano, los expertos en seguridad del Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital lanzan un comunicado: tanto los chalecos como la supervisión son aspectos fundamentales para cuidar a los niños en el agua  

Intermountain Primary Children’s ha colaborado con agencias de salud y de la comunidad locales de todo el estado para proporcionar chalecos salvavidas a varios puestos de renta para la gente que quiera disfrutar del agua este verano.

Estos chalecos están disponibles por orden de llegada y en varios talles, tanto para niños como adultos, y deben devolverse al final de la jornada.  

“El ahogamiento es la segunda causa principal de lesiones mortales prevenibles entre los niños de Utah menores de 14 años y el 70 por ciento de las muertes por ahogamiento se producen entre mayo y agosto”, afirma el Dr. Wing Province, director médico y médico de medicina de emergencia del Intermountain Park City Hospital.

Según el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos, aproximadamente un tercio de los ahogamientos en Utah suceden en lagos, ríos, canales y otros cuerpos de agua. Los estudios muestran que la mayoría de los ahogamientos pudieron haberse prevenido con el uso de un chaleco salvavidas.

“La meta del programa de renta de chalecos salvavidas es que sean más accesibles y así poder incrementar su uso en actividades acuáticas. También sirve como oportunidad para poder concientizar al público acerca del uso adecuado de los chalecos salvavidas”, comentó Karlee Kump, jefa de salud comunitaria del Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital.

"Ya sea un centro recreativo en el condado de Salt Lake o uno de nuestros muchos lagos, tenemos excelentes socios, como Intermountain Health, que también se preocupan por mantener a los niños seguros mientras están en el agua", dijo McKell Christensen, de la Coalición de Prevención de Ahogamientos de Utah. "Sin embargo, todos debemos recordar que nunca hay un sustituto para la supervisión de un adulto en el agua y usar un chaleco salvavidas puede salvar una vida".

Lance y Danielle Bradshaw, de Draper, afirman que hubieran deseado tener puestos de renta de chalecos salvavidas hace dos años cuando sufrieron un accidente el 29 de junio de 2022 en Blackridge Reservoir.

Danielle, una buena nadadora, se encontraba en una balsa con sus hijas, de 2 y 5 años, cuando volcaron mientras intentaban sacar basura del agua.

Nos cuenta que tuvo que hacer un gran esfuerzo para mantenerse a flote mientras sostenía a sus hijas.

Un grupo de personas las vio en el agua, oyó sus gritos de auxilio y las llevó a la orilla.

El hijo de Danielle consiguió ponerla a salvo, pero ella sufrió un paro cardíaco.

Lance, quien estaba en camino para reunirse con su familia con chalecos salvavidas, recibió una llamada desesperada de su hija de 10 años diciendo: “Mamá se ahogó y ya no respira”.

Antes de que Lance pudiera llegar, un oficial de policía fuera de servicio intervino y rápidamente comenzó a hacerle RCP.

Luego de pasar un día en el hospital, Danielle volvió con su esposo y sus ocho hijos y le agradeció al oficial por su rápida respuesta.

 “No tengo palabras para agradecer a aquellos que no dudaron en ayudar y salvarnos”, mencionó Danielle. “Ahora me doy cuenta que siempre es mejor prevenir que curar”, afirma Danielle.

“La realidad es que siempre hay que estar preparados por cualquier cosa que pueda pasar” dijo Lance. “Todos deberían tener el hábito de usar chaleco salvavidas, aún en aguas poco profundas ”.

Los expertos en seguridad del Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital coinciden. Dicen que la mejor prevención es llevar un chaleco aprobado por la guardia costera y la supervisión adecuada de un adulto.

Estas son otras formas de mantener a los niños a salvo cerca del agua:  

• Designe a un “vigilante acuático” para que supervise a los niños sin distracciones. Establezca turnos y cree una referencia visual, como un cordón o una gorra, para que todos sepan quién vigila. 

• Drene por completo las piscinas para niños y las cubetas y póngalas boca abajo cuando no las utilice. 

• Asegúrese de que la familia entera sepa nadar. 

• Asegúrese de que los niños utilicen chalecos aprobados por la guardia costera en lugar de flotadores de brazo, que se pueden desinflar o salir de los brazos del niño. 

• Cierre las piscinas y jacuzzis (hot tubs) con puertas de cierre automático y bloqueo.   

• Enséñeles a los niños a mantenerse alejados del agua cuando vayan de excursión o campamento.   

• Si un niño se pierde, siempre compruebe primero el agua más cercana.  

• Si un niño se cae en aguas correntosas, llame al 911. No salte tras ellos.  

• Aprenda RCP. 

Si irá a uno de los lagos, reservas o ríos de Utah para divertirse, a continuación, le ofrecemos consejos adicionales para mantener la seguridad de su familia: 

• Utilice un chaleco salvavidas aprobado por la guardia costera. 

• Ser un buen nadador no garantiza la seguridad. 

Tanto niños como adolescentes deberían nadar con un adulto.  

• Recuerde que los adolescentes son un grupo en riesgo que también necesita recordatorios y ser supervisado. Suelen ser muy confiados e impulsivos, lo que puede ser peligroso en aguas abiertas.  

• Nadar solo nunca es buena idea. 

• Conozca sus alrededores Los lagos aún están muy fríos y pueden afectar rápidamente a los nadadores con calambres peligrosos, estado de shock, hipotermia y dificultad para respirar. 

• Si alguien se encuentra en peligro en aguas abiertas, no nade para salvarlo. En su lugar, lance algo para que puedan flotar y pida ayuda. 

• El alcohol y la natación no van de la mano. 

La prevención de lesiones forma parte del proyecto de Intermountain Health de más de $600 millones, Promesa Principal, destinado a crear el sistema sanitario de niños modelo del país. Esta campaña histórica es una asociación entre Intermountain Health y sus comunidades y ha recaudado más de $500 millones hasta la fecha. 

Para más información acerca de la seguridad de los niños y la prevención de lesiones, visite primarychildrens.org/safety. 

Los puestos de renta de chalecos salvavidas se encuentran en las siguientes ubicaciones: Lincoln Beach, Vineyard Beach, Lindon Marina, American Fork Marina, Saratoga Springs Marina, The Knolls, Mill Race, Sandy Beach, Utah Lake State Park 1 y 2, Saratoga Springs Marina 2, Saratoga Springs North Marina, Bear Lake State Park, Hyrum State Park, Starvation Boat Ramp, Jordanelle Reservoir, Otter Creek, Halls Crossing Marina, Quail Creek, Sand Hollow, y algunos centros de recreación de Salt Lake .

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital is donating 900 life jackets to Life Jacket Loaner Stations across the state to help keep families safe around water this summer.

With Memorial Day viewed as the start of summer, safety experts at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital are issuing a reminder: Life jackets and supervision are critical to keeping kids safe around the water.  

Intermountain Primary Children’s has collaborated with local health and community agencies throughout the state to provide life jackets for various loaner stations for people getting out this summer to enjoy the water.

The life jackets are available to borrow on a first come, first served basis in various sizes for children to adults and should be returned at the end of the day.  

“Drowning is the second leading cause of preventable injury death for Utah children under age 14, with 70 percent of drowning deaths happening between May and August,” said Wing Province, MD, Intermountain Park City Hospital chief medical officer and emergency medicine physician.

About one-third of drownings in Utah occur in lakes, rivers, canals, and other bodies of water, according to the Utah Department of Health & Human Services. Research also shows that most drownings could have been prevented if a life jacket had been worn.

“The goals for the life jacket loaner program are to make life jackets more available and increase the wearing of life jackets during water-based activities. It’s also an opportunity to educate the public on the proper use and fit of life jackets,’ said Karlee Kump, community health manager at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.

“Whether a rec center in Salt Lake County or one of our many lakes, we have great partners, like Intermountain Health who are also concerned about keeping kids safe while in the water,” said McKell Christensen, Utah Drowning Prevention Coalition. “However, we all need to remember, there is never a substitution for adult supervision in the water and wearing a life jacket can save a life.” 

Lance and Danielle Bradshaw of Draper say they wish a life jacket loaner station would have been an option for them two years ago when they had a freak accident on June 29, 2022, at Blackridge Reservoir.

Danielle, who is a good swimmer, was on a raft with her girls, ages 2 and 5, when they flipped over while trying to retrieve some garbage.

She says she struggled to stay afloat while keeping her babies above water.

Bystanders saw them thrashing in the water and heard her calls for help and got the two girls to the shore.

Danielle’s son pulled her to safety, but she was in cardiac arrest.

Lance, who was on his way to meet his family with life jackets, received a frantic call from his 10-year-old daughter, saying, “Mommy drowned and isn’t breathing anymore.”

Before Lance could get there, an off-duty police officer jumped into action and quickly started CPR.

After spending one night in the hospital, Danielle was back with her husband and eight kids and giving thanks for the officer’s quick response.

 “There’s no way to repay those who didn’t hesitate to step-in and save us,” said Danielle. “I realize now it’s always better to be safe and cautious than to be sorry,” said Danielle.

“The reality is you always want to be prepared for whatever might happen,” said Lance. “Everyone should get in a habit of wearing a life jacket, even in shallow water.”

Safety experts at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital agree. They say the best prevention comes from a Coast Guard-approved jacket and appropriate adult supervision.

Here are some other ways keep young children safe around water:  

• Appoint a “water watcher” to supervise children without distraction. Take shifts and create a visual cue, like a lanyard or silly hat, so everyone knows who’s watching. 

• Fully drain kiddie pools and buckets and turn them upside down when not in use. 

• Ensure the whole family learns to swim. 

• Have children wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets instead of water wings, which can deflate or fall off a child’s arms. 

• Enclose pools and hot tubs with self-closing and locking gates.   

• Teach children to stay away from water while hiking or camping.   

• If a child is missing, always check nearby water first.  

• If a child falls into rushing water, call 911. Don’t jump in after them.  

• Learn CPR. 

If you’re headed to one of Utah’s lakes, reservoirs, or rivers to recreate, here are additional tips to keep your family safe: 

• Use a Coast Guard approved lifejacket. 

• Being a good swimmer isn’t a guarantee of safety. Children and teens should swim with an adult.  

• Remember, teens are an at-risk group who also need supervision and reminders. They are often overconfident and impulsive, which can be dangerous in open water.  

• Solo swimming is never a good idea. 

• Know your surroundings. The lakes are still very cold and can quickly affect swimmers with dangerous cramps, shock, hypothermia, and difficulty breathing. 

• If someone is in danger in open water, don’t dive in to save them. Instead, throw something to help them float and call for help. 

• Alcohol and swimming don’t mix. 

Injury prevention is part of Intermountain Health’s more than $600 million Primary Promise to create the nation’s model health system for children. This historic campaign is a partnership between Intermountain Health and its communities and has raised more than $500 million to date. 

For more information about child safety and injury prevention, visit primarychildrens.org/safety. 

Some of the Life Jacket Loaner Stations can be found at the following locations: Lincoln Beach, Vineyard Beach, Lindon Marina, American Fork Marina, Saratoga Springs Marina, The Knolls, Mill Race, Sandy Beach, Utah Lake State Park 1 and 2, Saratoga Springs Marina 2, Saratoga Springs North Marina, Bear Lake State Park, Hyrum State Park, Starvation Boat Ramp, Jordanelle Reservoir, Otter Creek, Halls Crossing Marina, Quail Creek, Sand Hollow, and some Salt Lake Rec Centers.

Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital is proud to announce its official verification as a Level I Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), marking a significant milestone in the hospital's commitment to providing top-tier emergency medical care to the community.  

“For the past 125 years, St. Vincent has stood as a beacon of trust and expertise in providing lifesaving care,” said Lee Boyles, President of St. Vincent Regional Hospital and the Montana | Wyoming Market for Intermountain Health. “Verification as a Level I Trauma Center is the culmination of the extensive and tireless work of our caregivers in Billings and across Intermountain Health to ensure St. Vincent Regional Hospital continues to be our region’s most trusted trauma center.” 

The Level I Trauma Center verification is the highest level of trauma care recognition bestowed by the ACS, signifying St. Vincent’s capability to deliver comprehensive care to the most critically injured patients around the clock, every day of the year. In achieving this accomplishment, St. Vincent demonstrated its ability to provide high-level trauma care to address the needs of all traumatic injuries, in addition to providing resources for education, injury prevention, and research. 

“We have worked diligently to meet the stringent criteria set forth by the ACS for Level I Trauma Centers. From initial resuscitation and emergency surgery to intensive care and rehabilitation, St. Vincent is equipped to provide the full spectrum of trauma care," said Dr. Barry McKenzie, St. Vincent Trauma Medical Director. "This verification reflects our ability to provide rapid, expert care to trauma patients, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those facing life-threatening injuries." 

By providing this high-level of definitive care in Montana, fewer traumatically injured patients will need to be transferred out of state for care, allowing them to heal closer to home. 

St. Vincent’s journey to becoming a Level I Trauma Center began in August 2022, when the hospital submitted its application to elevate its trauma center verification from Level II to Level I with the ACS. The hospital’s review year took place from November 2022 through October 2023, and they hosted their site review visit in February of this year. During the ACS’s objective, external review of the hospital’s capability and performance, the peer review team highlighted St. Vincent’s physician leadership, injury prevention and outreach program, and participation in improving our state and regional trauma system. 

Qualifications of a Level I Trauma Center verification through the ACS include: 

• Surgical residency program 
• Caring for a minimum of 1,200 trauma patients each year 
• 24/7 in-house coverage 
• Specialists in neurosurgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery and other disciplines 
• Well-trained nurses and physicians who have experience in trauma care 
• Surgery and anesthesia at a moment's notice 
• Trauma research 
• Trauma training and injury prevention education 
• Comprehensive care for critically injured patients, from prevention through rehabilitation 

 St. Vincent is one of two hospitals in Montana and one of three hospitals in the Intermountain Health system to achieve Level I Trauma Center verification from the ACS.