UR Medicine’s Kessler Trauma Center Leading the Way
It’s all there, all of the time.
The people, the technology, and the facilities required to spring into action the moment a patient comes through the door with a traumatic injury. This highly coordinated response continues all the way through the patient’s rehabilitation. Every step of the way, the trauma team is following the nation’s highest standards, and delivering the best care. In addition, team members are working to educate the community, helping prevent further tragedy.
Only two of New York State’s 40 designated trauma centers can say all of this with certainty, after recently being verified as Level One trauma centers by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). UR Medicine’s Kessler Trauma Center, located within Strong Memorial Hospital, is one of them.
“The ACS verification process is extremely rigorous,” says Michael F. Rotondo, M.D., FACS, CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group, former ACS Governor, and previous chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma. “This distinction reflects the University of Rochester Medical Center’s tremendous commitment to saving lives.”
“Level One verification confirms Kessler Trauma Center is one of our community’s most outstanding assets,” Steve I. Goldstein, president and CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital, says. “This level of trauma preparation, care, and education simply doesn’t exist in many areas of the country.”
Every year, nearly 2,000 people from throughout the Finger Lakes region are admitted to the Kessler Trauma Center. Patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team specializing in trauma. Facilities include a helipad, a large emergency department, a dedicated 16-bed trauma intensive care unit, well-equipped operating rooms, and modern rehabilitation facilities.
“National verification shows the Kessler Trauma Center has proven it can handle even the toughest cases,” says Mark L. Gestring, M.D., trauma medical director. “We have a fantastic team, a fantastic facility, and the ability to provide optimal care to our patients, round-the-clock.”
Rochester firefighter Joseph Hofstetter is among those speaking at a May 19 celebration of the ACS distinction. In 2012, he was rushed to Kessler Trauma Center after being shot while responding to a Webster fire on Christmas Eve. The celebration is being held in the atrium of the URMC Saunders Research Building, 265 Crittenden Boulevard, from 5 – 7 p.m., with remarks beginning at 5:45 p.m. The event is free and open to the URMC community.