Family

407-303-2800

Employees | Patients | Health Care Professionals | Volunteers

1.6.2010

Family

1/6/2010

“In my 30 years of being a part of the FH family, I have never been more proud to be a part of this organization than during the following experience.

On a beautiful Saturday last July, several members of two families from our church were traveling home by car from New York. On I-95 near Savannah, they were hit head on by a drunk driver going the wrong way after entering the highway on the exit ramp. In an instant, the 36 year old mother, her brother, and her 19 year old nephew were killed (as was the drunk driver). Her 3 children (ages 9, 13, and 15) were cut from the wreckage and flown to the trauma center in Savannah (2 in critical condition). They had multiple broken bones and severe internal injuries, requiring surgery and two weeks in ICU.

While the trauma center (and prayer) saved these children’s lives, it was less than resourceful when it was determined the children were stable enough to be transferred home to Orlando. The grieving and overwhelmed father felt helpless in Savannah. My husband, a minister, called me from Savannah and asked for help. In came the FH angels. I wasn’t sure myself where to start, but all I had to do was ask. Melody Huffman, our marketing director, gave me Karilynn Vargas’ name. I contacted her and she provided the link to the Florida Children’s Hospital emergency transfer team. The doctor to doctor contact was made and the two remaining hospitalized children were flown by air ambulance to OIA, where the FH ambulances were waiting to transport them to Florida Children’s Hospital. The staff on the unit had been alerted that these children were not only dealing with severe injuries, but the death of their mom, a cousin they lived with, and an uncle. The entire clinical team and chaplain were caring and attentive toward them. They were discharged after 21/2 weeks of excellent care and attention and are continuing their long recovery at home. They face more surgeries and therapy, but are assured that they will be given the best physical, spiritual, and emotional care when they need to return here.

Centra Care has a prayer team that responds to requests our staff has for family or friends. That team began praying as soon as I asked for their help after the accident and they continue to ask for updates on the children. What a blessing!

This family is so grateful for our institution and I am so very thankful that our Florida Hospital family was here to minister to them in their time of need.”

Lars Houmann, FACHE
President and CEO
Florida Hospital