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Trauma Services

Level I Trauma Center
Advanced Trauma Care Close to Home

Lakeland Regional Health’s Level I Trauma Center is equipped to provide the highest level of emergency and critical care for severely injured adult and pediatric patients 24/7. Whether treating life-threatening injuries or performing complex emergency surgeries, our multidisciplinary trauma team is ready at a moment’s notice to deliver rapid, expert care when it matters most.

As the only Level I Trauma Center in the area, Lakeland Regional Health plays a crucial role in the region’s healthcare network, caring for more than 4,700 trauma patients and over 1,800 trauma alerts every year.

Lakeland Regional Health’s Trauma Center features four hybrid operating rooms, a robust orthopedic traumatology program, and advanced capabilities such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and the use of whole blood for adult and pediatric massive transfusion protocol activations.

Advanced trauma care. Immediate response. Exceptional outcomes.

What is a Level I Trauma Center?

A Level I Trauma Center represents the highest designation for trauma care. In Florida, a Level I Trauma Center has specialized physicians, nurses, advanced technology, and critical care resources to care for severely injured adult and pediatric patients, enabling more patients to receive lifesaving care close to home.

At Lakeland Regional Health, we provide:

  • 24/7 trauma team activation
  • Immediate access to trauma surgeons and specialists
  • Advanced surgical and intensive care services
  • Comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery support
  • Injury prevention and community education programs
  • Research and trauma education leadership

Expert Care for the Most Serious Injuries

Our trauma team treats a wide range of critical injuries and emergencies, including:

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Falls and blunt force trauma
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Penetrating injuries
  • Complex fractures
  • Sports and recreational injuries

Every patient receives coordinated care from emergency medicine physicians, trauma surgeons, orthopedic specialists, neurosurgeons, critical care teams, rehabilitation experts, and support teams working together seamlessly.

Specialized Services at LRH

Chest Pain Center

LRH is the only hospital in Polk County to be awarded the American College of Cardiology’s Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI and Resuscitation.

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Comprehensive Stroke Center

Patients and their loved ones throughout the region benefit from LRH’s lifesaving complex stroke and neurological care, recognized by The Joint Commission with the Gold Seal of Approval Accreditation.

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ECMO Program

LRH has Polk County’s only extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program, with life-saving technology that pumps and oxygenates a patient’s blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest following heart or lung failure or heart surgery.

Neurosurgery

Our team of neurosurgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses of the brain, spinal cord, and neck.

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Orthopedics

Our orthopedic traumatologists treat injuries ranging from simple fractures to severe life-threatening accidents with multiple fractures.

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Pediatrics

Pediatric trauma patients at LRH receive comprehensive, around-the-clock trauma care from highly trained specialists with pediatric expertise provided in partnership with Nemours Children’s Health.

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Critical Care and Rehabilitation

Recovery begins the moment treatment starts. We offer comprehensive ICU care, physical rehabilitation, and ongoing recovery support tailored to each patient.

Lakeland Regional Health is also home to the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine, the only inpatient acute rehabilitation facility in Polk County accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Bannasch Institute provides specialized services to help patients regain strength, independence, and quality of life following serious injury.

Why Choose Lakeland Regional Health?

  • Highest level of trauma designation
  • Experienced multidisciplinary trauma specialists
  • Leading-edge imaging and surgical technology
  • Dedicated trauma intensive care unit
  • Comprehensive rehabilitation services
  • Compassionate, patient-centered care
  • Commitment to research, education, and prevention
In a Medical Emergency, Call 911 Immediately.

Trauma Surgery Experts

Matthew
Forestiere, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
Read Full Bio
Andrew Christian
Gaugler, DO
General Surgery/
Trauma
Read Full Bio
Robert Devlin
McCormick, DO
General Surgery/
Trauma
Read Full Bio
Robert
Ringersen, III, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
Read Full Bio
Stephen
Rowe, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Debra
Seoane, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Janet
Skarda, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Olumide
Sobowale, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Richard
Sontchi, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Bree
Steinke, DO
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Michael
Taylor, DO
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Ward
Wall, Jr., MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
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Raquel
Weston, MD
General Surgery/
Trauma
Read Full Bio

Trauma Prevention Resources & Events

Trauma Awareness Day

Every year, Lakeland Regional Health hosts a Trauma Awareness Day event to recognize the resilience of trauma survivors and the extraordinary trauma team who provides lifesaving care. This event brings together former patients, families, providers, nurses, and other team members for a day of reflection, connection, and appreciation.

Donate to the Lakeland Regional Health Foundation to support the Trauma Program.

Stop the Bleed

Lakeland Regional Health offers a free “Stop the Bleed, Bleeding Control Basics Course” for those who have little or no medical training, but who may be called upon to provide initial trauma care and bleeding control prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services. This course is designed to educate and prepare community members on what to do in a bleeding emergency. Register here.

Support Groups

TSN Survivor Support Group

American Trauma Society’s Trauma Survivors Network’s virtual support group meets on the second (3:30PM), third (9PM), and fourth (5:30PM) Wednesday of every month. Register here. Send questions to TSN@amtrauma.org.

TSN Family & Caregiver Support Group

American Trauma Society’s Trauma Survivors Network hosts a virtual support group for trauma survivors’ families on the first Wednesday of the month at 1PM. Register here. Send questions to TSN@amtrauma.org.

TSN Teen & Young Adults Group

Atrium Health Levine’s Children’s Hospital hosts a virtual support group for high-school and college-aged individuals who are trauma survivors on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8PM. For more information or to register, email erin.schuster@atriumhealth.org.

Tween/Teen Group

Atrium Health Levine’s Children’s Hospital hosts a virtual support group for youths 11-15 who have experienced a traumatic injury or have experienced an injury within their family. This group is hosted from 5-6PM on the fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information or to register, email erin.schuster@atriumhealth.org.

Life After Trauma

We celebrate every trauma survivor’s journey to recovery. Check out some of their stories to learn how our trauma team’s lifesaving care made a difference.

Nineteen Surgeries, One Team

Nineteen surgeries, eight weeks, one tumor, and endless hope. When Chris Cheatwood’s health rapidly began to fail, he placed his trust in Lakeland Regional Health to save his life — and he’s thankful he did.

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A Return to Say Thank You

While taking a refresher seaplane course in Winter Haven, Jack survived a devastating crash. After a difficult rescue, he was rushed to the emergency room at Lakeland Regional Health, where he spent several weeks recovering from serious injuries.

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Living to Tell Her Story

January 6, 2017, started like any other day for Sue, but she was a little more excited than usual. She was looking forward to a very important family celebration that was soon to happen. But her day did not go as planned.

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