Oct. 10 at the Morgantown Event Center
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – They range in age from 16 to 50. One broke her neck practicing for a dancing competition; the other two were seriously injured in car accidents. The stories of these patients and the people who helped them survive will be told at the Fourth Annual Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center Night of Recognition on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Morgantown Event Center.“This event is our opportunity to show some of our patients just how many people helped them throughout their journey to recovery,” Alison Wilson, M.D., director of the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center, said. “It’s also our chance to thank those individuals who play vital roles in treating our patients each step of the way.”
The stories of three patients will be told during this year’s Night of Recognition. The individual patients and representatives of each stage of their care will be presented with a Cornerstone of Recovery Award. Approximately 60 awards will be presented. The patient honorees are:
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Meg Throckmorton, 16, of Waynesburg, Pa., who sustained a spine injury that left her paralyzed from the neck down while practicing for a dance competition. Following surgery to implant a diaphragmatic pacemaker to help her breathe, she was transferred to the Shepherd Center, a private, not-for-profit hospital in Atlanta, Ga. She is now home, walking, attending high school and learning to drive.
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Christopher Jordan, 45, of Keyser, W.Va., who suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his neck and ribs, a dislocated left knee and a broken pelvis as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and placed on a ventilator, which he required for 12 days. He underwent three surgeries to repair his multiple injuries. After 28 days in the hospital, he was transferred to HealthSouth MountainView Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, where he remained for 17 days. To date, he continues to attend outpatient rehab to help regain his strength.
- John Pingley, 50, of Pendleton County, W.Va., who was involved in a motor vehicle crash that left him with multiple life-threatening injuries, including those to his liver, spleen, and intestine. His left leg was shattered, and his diaphragm was ripped in half. Three teams of surgeons took turns to repair his many injuries. He remained in the hospital for two weeks. Once released, he returned home and began physical therapy. He has since returned to work.
Patients recognized at previous Night of Recognition celebrations will be in attendance this year. Information on those patients and those honored for participating in their care can be found at www.hsc.wvu.edu/development/NoR/index.html.
Through sponsorship and ticket sales, proceeds from the Night of Recognition will provide crucial funds to the School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery to help support the Trauma Center’s Injury Prevention Outreach Programs, which provide education to people of all ages.
The Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center, located at WVU Healthcare’s Ruby Memorial Hospital, was created in the 1980s with the assistance and support of the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd. It is named for Byrd’s grandson, who died as a result of an automobile crash. Each year, the Trauma Center treats more than 3,000 patients from all over West Virginia, as well as those from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Attention reporters and editors: If you plan on covering the Night of Recognition, please confirm your attendance with Angela Jones-Knopf at 304-293-1413 or knopfa@wvuhealthcare.com in advance.
