COMMITMENT | to patients and the future
Passion for PATIENTS AND THE FUTURE
to the Health Resources and Services
Administration, trauma-related injuries
in the United States are estimated
to exceed 160,000 deaths each year,
and, more significantly, it is estimated
that 60 percent of all injury deaths
in the United States occur in rural
areas. Nationally, trauma is the number
one killer for those ages 1–44, so it’s
no surprise that in Scott & White’s
extensive service area, more than
2,000 trauma patients are admitted to
Memorial Hospital each year and many
more are treated as outpatients. From
vehicular accidents and agricultural
injuries to burns, gunshot wounds,
animal bites, falls, sexual assault, and
more, the trauma center at Scott &
White is a lifesaving resource for
many Central Texans, especially as the
population grows.
Swiftly responding to the
region’s needs
Scott & White plays a unique role
in the region, seeing patients with
traumatic injuries daily, from all corners
of the vast 29,000-square-mile area that
the healthcare system serves. Dr. Davis
says, “Many of the traumatic events are
challenging because of the rural nature
of our region. Accidents often occur
in the middle of nowhere. A person
working in the fields may not be found
for a few hours and may still have an
hour or more transport to reach us.”
Dr. Davis speaks from his
significant experience, ranging from
individual traumatic episodes to highprofile, mass-casualty events. He
treated patients from both Fort Hood
shootings in 2009 and 2014, and from
the West Fertilizer Company explosion,
in 2013, among other area disasters.
“Our region has had more than its
share of tragedy. Among all the ‘what
ifs,’ we also ask ourselves, ‘how can we
continue to better prepare?’” he says.
“We understand that when it comes to
these traumatic events, it’s not ‘if,’ but