When Susan Brown’s son Matt was taken to Regional One Health after a serious car accident, she experienced both expertise and compassion from his providers.
As an experienced nurse and as a mom, Susan was impressed every step of the way as Matt moved from the Elvis Presley Trauma Center to the ICU to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital.
Susan says she’s grateful to Regional One Health for her son’s care and the exceptional services the health care system provides for our community.
As a registered nurse with 50 years of experience working in trauma, intensive care, rehab, and more, Susan Brown can recognize good medical care.
As a mom, she can recognize genuine compassion and humanity.
Susan saw an abundance of both when her son was a patient at Regional One Health following a serious car accident. She’ll forever be grateful for the care he received and for the chance to learn more about the high-quality services the hospital offers for the Mid-South community.
“Regional One Health is well known as a good trauma center, but it’s also a fabulous hospital that serves the community in many ways,” Susan said. “I recognized it as soon as I talked to our first surgeon – not just the medical aspect, but the caring aspect.”
It all started in late September. Susan’s son Matt, 44, and her ex-husband, who had remained a dear friend, were driving on Farm Road when they were struck by another vehicle.
“Initially the paramedics thought my son was OK, but my ex-husband was in critical condition, so they were taking him to Regional One Health,” she said. “By the grace of God, they decided to transport my son to Regional One Health as well.”
By the time they reached the Elvis Presley Trauma Center, the situation was grave. Susan’s ex-husband had passed away in the ambulance, and Matt’s condition had deteriorated rapidly. The accident had caused life-threatening injuries that would ultimately require three surgeries.
As the only level-one trauma center in a 150-mile radius of Memphis, the Elvis Presley Trauma Center is uniquely equipped to care for patients with the most serious injuries. A multidisciplinary team is available around-the-clock, and the trauma center has state-of-the-art resources designed to address a wide variety of complex injuries.
Susan was impressed by the care her son Matt received. “They showed that they realize it’s about more than making medical decisions…it’s taking into consideration people’s emotions and energy,” Susan said.
While Susan trusted their expertise, she still felt alone and overwhelmed. As she mourned Matt’s dad, she also wished he was there to help her with the agonizing decisions she was having to make about their son’s care. She had to face the heart-wrenching conversation of telling Matt his father had passed away.
Matt’s medical team stepped up to provide the support she needed.
Regional One Health Chief Medical Officer Martin Croce, MD, former medical director of the trauma center, knows Susan professionally and came to check on her and Matt. “He was my beacon of light, supporting us along this journey of seemingly endless darkness. He reflected professional compassion through personal commitment,” Susan said.
Meanwhile, Matt’s surgeons took all the time she needed to answer questions and explain his treatment. His nurses consistently went above and beyond. One nurse took the time to brush Matt’s long hair and tie it back from his face, and another brought Susan a photo of that morning’s sunrise to provide her a moment of hope and positivity.
“I watched them interact with each other and make appropriate decisions at the right time. They also showed that they realize it’s about more than making medical decisions…it’s taking into consideration people’s emotions and energy,” Susan said.
“The people at Regional One Health made things easier for me. It’s hard for me to explain what that means to me not only as a nurse, but as a mother, that he got such high quality care.”
As Matt moved through the continuum of care from the trauma center to a stepdown unit to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital, Susan continued to be impressed.
At every step, she found a clean, welcoming environment and patient care professionals who were well-trained and helpful. She encountered non-medical staff, from security team members to cashiers in the cafeteria, who were thoughtful and kind. She talked to doctors who gave her plenty of time to ask questions and advocate for her son.
Susan said doctors and nurses at Regional One Health offered emotional support so she could help her son heal. “The people at Regional One Health made things easier for me. It’s hard for me to explain what that means to me not only as a nurse, but as a mother, that he got such high quality care.”
The care Matt received allowed him to be discharged after three weeks, and he and Susan have been getting back to a life that centers around family and friends.
“He’s doing well. He’s expected to make a full recovery, and he’s hoping to be cleared to return to work soon,” Susan said. “We’ve been enjoying spending time together as a family. I also have a daughter who is raising three children, and we have a dog and two cats. Matt likes spending time with his cousins, and he’s got a set of good friends. They all get together and cook.”
As for Susan, she’s been reflecting on the care her son received with a deep sense of gratitude.
As a mom and a health care professional, Susan said she recognizes the high level of service at Regional One Health and she’ll always be thankful Matt ended up there.
“It’s the best care in our community,” Susan said. “It isn’t just the medical care, which was excellent. It’s what I call the ‘immeasurables.’ They truly care. Our experience was tremendous from the moment we rolled in to the moment we rolled out.”
“We are ordinary people surviving extraordinary circumstances because of the supportive and passionate professionals at Regional One Health,” she added. “I will be eternally grateful to all the people who helped us through this difficult journey.”