Sept. 9, 2003

Jerry Nadeau makes pit stop at VCU Medical Center to thank staff

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By Joe Kuttenkuler

Almost four months after he was admitted to the hospital following a violent collision with a concrete wall, NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jerry Nadeau returned to the VCU Medical Center to say thank you to the many doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other staff members who helped care for him.

Jerry Nadeau spent a week with the team from the VCU Medical Center's Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit. Seven of the nine physicians who wrote the standards for caring for head injury victims are at VCU.
Jerry Nadeau spent a week with the team from the VCU Medical Center's Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit. Seven of the nine physicians who wrote the standards for caring for head injury victims are at VCU.

"Being back here brings back a lot of memories - some of them aren't too clear...but it's nice to come back and say hello to everybody and say thanks," Nadeau said.

Nadeau arrived at the VCU Medical Center on May 2 following what NASCAR officials called one of the worst impacts from which anyone has walked away. Traveling at well over 100 miles-per-hour, Nadeau's car slammed into the Turn 1 wall at Richmond International Raceway during a practice session. After being cut from the car, Nadeau was flown to VCU with a moderate to severe head injury, broken shoulder blade and lung and rib damage.

He spent a week in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit and three more in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit learning to move his body again.

After being discharged from the Neuroscience ICU, Nadeau was transferred to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit where he spent three weeks learning to move his body again.
After being discharged from the Neuroscience ICU, Nadeau was transferred to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit where he spent three weeks learning to move his body again.

On Friday Sept. 5, Nadeau walked through the same areas of the hospital he recently was pushed through in a wheelchair. He smiled, signed dozens of autographs and chatted with staff that had gathered to see him.

"I feel good - really good. But not good enough to get back in a race car just yet."

Nadeau hopes to climb back into his U.S. Army sponsored Pontiac in time for the Daytona 500 next February.

During his visit to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Nadeau talked with Tommy Bradshaw, who is recovering from injuries he sustained in a recent accident.
During his visit to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Nadeau talked with Tommy Bradshaw, who is recovering from injuries he sustained in a recent accident.

Nadeau was escorted through the hospital by VCU neurosurgeon, Dr. Kathryn Holloway, who was closely involved in his care. Holloway told media that came to document Nadeau's visit that she is very pleased with his progress and gratified that he wanted to come back. She added dealing with head injuries is a challenge for doctors, as well as the patients and their families and that VCU is uniquely qualified to handle these cases.

"There are written standards for treating head trauma cases. We are fortunate at VCU to have seven of the nine physicians who wrote those standards," Holloway said. "Family support is a vital part of recovery as well and Jerry certainly had that - he was a good patient too."

Nadeau's visit also evoked an unexpected response from one of the rehab unit's current patients. Among those who gathered to see Nadeau was wheelchair-bound Tommy Bradshaw who had recently been involved in an accident. Bradshaw had not spoken since his injury.

Nadeau also visited with long-time NASCAR fan and hair stylist, Mary Adkins. Adkins works in the barbershop in Hunton Hall next to the medical center. During Nadeau's hospitalization last May, Adkins went to his room to cut his hair.
Nadeau also visited with long-time NASCAR fan and hair stylist, Mary Adkins. Adkins works in the barbershop in Hunton Hall next to the medical center. During Nadeau's hospitalization last May, Adkins went to his room to cut his hair.

Leaning down to speak with him, Nadeau asked, "How are you buddy?"

"Pretty good," Bradshaw replied softly, to the amazement of brain injury rehabilitation staff.

"It just blew me away," said Dr. Jen Niemeier, clinical neuro-psychologist on the brain injury unit. "He [Nadeau] doesn't know how much that meant to that young man."

Nadeau concluded his visit by stopping by the barbershop in Hunton Hall...not because he needed a trim, but to hug NASCAR fan and hair stylist, Mary Adkins. Adkins cut Nadeau's hair during his hospitalization...and she saved the evidence to prove it.

"I just think he is wonderful. It's so nice to see him getting around so well," Adkins said.

As the media documented his return visit to VCU, Nadeau visited with dozens of staff members who cared for him.
As the media documented his return visit to VCU, Nadeau visited with dozens of staff members who cared for him.


Photos courtesy of University News Services