22-05-2025
Trauma healthcare workers and patients hold luncheon during Trauma Awareness Month
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Patients and healthcare heroes reunited Wednesday to recognize workers who specialize in treating trauma patients.
'It is extremely rewarding. It is one of the most indescribable feelings I think you've heard throughout this event. You heard everybody refer to it as a calling rather than just a job. This is something that we choose to do,' Trauma Surgeon and Medical Director Dr. Blerina Begolli said.
Ascension Sacred Heart Bay sponsored the luncheon in honor of Trauma Awareness Month.
'Today's event is very near and dear to my heart because, as you guys heard me say earlier, we get to see the patients at their worst. We get to see them when they're injured. They're hurting, they are crying. It's the worst possible thing. And very frequently, they leave, and we don't get that follow-up story. In trauma, it is more unique because we do see them in pre-hospital and we do follow them in our clinic after discharge,' Begolli added.
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Jeremy Ridley and Cassie Ridley were in a major car crash in November 2024. They received care at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay's trauma wing.
'I always say the mama hen, and they wanted to put us under their wings and just take care of us. And that's how you feel. That is how you feel here. And it's from what they were talking about, you know, the janitors and things like that. Those were some of the sweetest people because they would come in and they would talk to you,' the Ridleys said.
The trauma center is specifically designed to handle any trauma patient over the age of 15. Ascension Sacred Heart Bay is a designated trauma facility in both Florida and Alabama.
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