VCU Medical Center Honors Trauma Patient Survival at Shining Knight Gala

By Alisa Sweeney
VCU Communications and Public Relations

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine’s Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery recently held the second annual Shining Knight Gala to raise funds for injury and violence prevention and to honor those who protect and save lives in Central Virginia.

"The Shining Knight Gala was a wonderful celebration of our trauma system in Central Virginia,” said John Duval, CEO of MCV Hospitals. “It gave us all an opportunity to know better the many professionals whose teamwork saves the lives of Virginians every day. It gave us the opportunity to say thanks for all they do to protect our community from the consequences of traumatic injury."

Guest speakers included Gov. Bob McDonnell; William Hazel, M.D., secretary of health and human services; and VCU President Michael Rao.

One of the event’s highlights was a multimedia presentation about Greg Jones, who was severely injured in a car crash. The story highlighted the role of the Central Virginia trauma system and the VCU Medical Center's trauma and injury and violence prevention programs in his survival. In addition, 24 care providers were honored with the Order of the Shining Knight for their contribution to the patient's survival.

The VCU Medical Center provided trauma care to nearly 4,000 patients in 2009. Patients are admitted into the trauma center for a variety of reasons, including vehicle crashes, falls, burns and crime-related injuries.

The VCU Health System is one of only two nationally recognized Level I trauma centers in the state and is the only one in central Virginia. Virginia recognizes five Level I trauma centers in the state, including the VCUHS. The VCU Health System was the first hospital in Virginia to be recognized after the introduction of the state verification process in 1981.