Night of Recognition is Oct. 21

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU’s Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center will recognize trauma workers from across the state – including  emergency medical services teams, community emergency departments, and the care teams at trauma centers -- along with patients and their families at a Night of Recognition event Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Erickson Alumni Center.

The Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center (JMMTC) cares for more than 3,000 trauma patients annually, from all parts of West Virginia and from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Some patients arrive directly from the scene of the injury. Others are treated initially at another health care facility and then transferred to WVU for specialized trauma care. The care that trauma patients receive, from first responders to post-hospital caregivers, is all part of the statewide trauma system.

To honor the hard work and perseverance of the many people in the statewide trauma system, the trauma center is holding a Night of Recognition banquet and award ceremony. The event, expected to draw a high-profile audience from across the state, will include in-person testimonials from members of the trauma team and patients and their families, and recognize service with the Cornerstone of Recovery Awards.

Proceeds from the Night of Recognition will provide crucial funds to help support the life-saving work of the Trauma Center, which provides outreach, teaching, research and service across West Virginia.

In addition to caring for the injured, the staff of the trauma center promotes wellness and injury prevention through education and advocacy, including:
• Annual educational programs to area emergency medical service agencies and rural hospital personnel.
• Falls prevention program and home safety information at health fairs and senior centers providing older adults tools and information to decrease the number of falls where most of the serious injuries to seniors occur.
• High school and college campus programs such as “Trauma Team Talks Tough” recommended by the American College of Surgeons. The course focuses on seat belt use and smart decision making involving peer pressure and drinking and driving.
• West Virginia ATV Safety education programs to area teens. This outreach program covers statistical data as well as rider safety education to help decrease injuries and death in this high risk category.
• Pediatric injury prevention programs including lessons in bicycle safety, safe playground behavior, the home safety hunt and proper ways to resolve conflict. Safety advocate mascot Troo the TraumaRoo and JMMTC staff visit area schools and gathering places for children to promote home safety, ATV safety, helmet use, and car seats.
• At rural hospitals, JMMTC staff teach initial trauma management through the Rural Trauma Team Development Course.

The Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center was created in the 1980s with the assistance and support of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, and is named for his grandson, who died as a result of an automobile crash.

For more information about the Night of Recognition, or to request an invitation, please contact Patricia Smyth at psmyth@hsc.wvu.edu.