In honor of National Trauma Survivors Day, Reading Hospital will host an event for trauma survivors and their families, first responders, and healthcare professionals to connect and join a discussion on self-care after a traumatic injury on Wednesday, May 17.
The free event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing. The option to attend virtually will also be available, and therapy dogs will be present to provide comfort and support.
Susan Rehhausser, MA, CAVS, RMT, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services, will speak at the event and share a presentation about self-care for trauma survivors and family members.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a panel of trauma survivors that includes:
- Elizabeth Kase - a Certified Peer Visitor with the Amputee Coalition who required a below-knee amputation, right transmetatarsal amputation (surgery to remove part of your foot), and bilateral wrist level amputations.
- Jaime Kirlin - who sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident and is now a Trauma Survivors Network peer visitor.
- Rosemerry Aviles Leandry - who sustained a spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury due to a motor vehicle crash, will meet her care team, including first responders and staff, from Reading Hospital and Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing.
- Additional panelists will include Avelino Rochino, Travis and Pier Reiter, and Jenny Mohler.
Travis Reiter, a shooting survivor and panelist, said, “I am very grateful to be part of this event, and fortunate to be here today to share my story. I hope to inspire strength and comfort in the many trauma survivors out there, as well as appreciation and gratitude for the healthcare professionals who are always ready to save lives. I am indebted to the first responders and the team at Reading Hospital who saved my life that day.”
Eugene F. Reilly, MD, Chief of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, also commented on the event, “The Trauma Center at Reading Hospital is equipped to deliver high-quality care to patients with even the most complicated injuries. The effects of trauma and injury can last long after the hospital stay is over, that’s why events like this are so essential.”
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across service lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.