ORANGE PARK – HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital held its annual tribute last week to trauma survivors. Patients, nurses, doctors, community leaders, family members and other care givers got to hear first-hand how the medical experts helped each survivor build their life back after unexpected events. Their stories are nothing short of a miracle.

David Krivit, a lifelong motorcycle rider, was hit by a car in a four-way intersection in town. With a sheriff’s deputy nearby who really knew his job, “I was in the air in under three minutes,” said Krivit. A testimony to the deputy and EMTs. “I landed at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital because of their trauma center. It took three days to close me, 12 surgeries, countless screws, pins and rods, something called an external fixator and six weeks before I woke up.”

After that, it was rehab and many months of treatments.

“Now, looking back on the group of roughly 100 men and women who touched me over all that time, it was an amazing group of people, an entire orchestra-sized ensemble, the best of the best, who got handed an incredible mess and dug in deep to turn it all around for me and my family. I’m forever grateful,” Krivit said.

Many trauma survivors have extended stays in the hospital and then have to follow up with physical rehabilitation of various kinds once they get out. “As a trauma program, we are aware of the emotional wounds inflicted by both traumatic injury and some treatments. Increasing attention has been rightfully placed on post-traumatic stress disorder and the many ways we can get stuck after experiencing trauma,” said Dr. Benetta Wholuba, Trauma Psychologist with the trauma program at Orange Park Hospital.

Others who attended the event were:

• John Taylor, who was admitted for injuries resulting from being struck by a truck. He had a long recovery which involved multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation. He is a veteran EMT with Clay County Fire Rescue.

• Gilberto Lopez, who was admitted for injuries resulting from being struck by a car while riding his motorcycle. His right leg injuries were so severe that he required an amputation. He now serves as a Peer Mentor for current trauma patients who have had or will have an amputation.

• Jose Rodriguez, who was admitted for injuries resulting from a motorcycle collision. He had a 47-day stay followed by 3 weeks in outpatient acute rehab. Tomorrow marks his one-year anniversary of his accident.

• Dale Carter, who was admitted for injuries resulting from being struck by a car while walking in a crosswalk.

“HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the patients and families who came back and celebrated their health and wellness with the nurses, doctors, clinicians, EMTs, sheriff deputies, x-ray technicians, physical therapists and more,” said Dr. Pam Melera, trauma surgeon. “It helps to close the circle and allow everyone to get some closure after the various impacts of traumatic events.”