Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to Honor Trauma Survivors and Families

After a three-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center will resume its tradition of recognizing and celebrating former trauma patients and their families at its 4th annual trauma survivor celebration. As a level one trauma center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center evaluates and treats more than 3,500 trauma patients each year. This celebration will honor these remarkable patients, their families, and the contributions of staff from all departments.

The event will have recognition and interviews of trauma patients, their families, and hospital staff/leaders. Speakers include, Brant Putnam, MD, chief, trauma surgery and Jennifer Smith, MD, assistant chief, trauma surgery

Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 20

Venue: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Parlow Plaza, 1000 West Carson St., Torrance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports trauma is the leading cause of death for patients between the ages of one and 44 years. The number of life years lost to trauma is on par with life years lost from cancer, heart disease, and HIV combined.  The most common mechanisms of injury include falls, motor vehicle collisions, interpersonal violence, pedestrian accidents, and industrial accidents.

Among the trauma survivors who will share their personal accounts are:

Hector De Leon, who survived being struck by a car on the 105 Freeway

Sean Reynolds, an honor’s student who survived a gunshot wound during a robbery

Emily Lien, a survivor of a motorcycle crash in which her boyfriend, the driver, died on the scene.