Trauma survivors say ‘thanks’ to UMC workers

By Kyle B. Hansen

Thursday, May 14, 2009 | 4:26 p.m.

Of all the people who spoke at University Medical Center's annual Trauma Luncheon, the one who seemed to have had the biggest life change was the one who wasn't a patient or a hospital employee.

Alice Rossa-Verley thanked the assembled doctors, nurses and other hospital staff for helping to save her daughter's life earlier this year. But the biggest cheers came when she announced that their actions inspired her and her husband to become nurses.

"We're in the worst business possible, which is real estate," Rossa-Verley, of Las Vegas, said. "So we've decided that we're going to go to nursing school together.

"We have just been so inspired, how we were comforted and how they treated us, and we want to give back."

Her daughter Natalie Rossa, 21, was one of the survivors honored at the 12th annual event held by the hospital's trauma team Thursday at Palace Station.

Rossa was hiking with some friends at Red Rock Canyon on March 16 when she fainted and fell down a 30-foot cliff, landing on her head.

A group of paramedics was holding a training session nearby, allowing her to receive quick treatment before being flown to UMC.

"I was fortunate that the care that I had was done so well and I had such good support," she said.

Rossa was only in the hospital for three weeks instead of the months doctors initially anticipated.

"We do believe in miracles," said Fred Verley, her stepfather. "With this one, the miracles came through all of the people at UMC, from the doctors and the nurses even all the way down to the security people."

The staff offered support not only to Rossa, but to her mother, father and 10 siblings.

"It's pretty scary when you first walk in and see your child with an injury like that," she said. "And the scariest part is the first 72 hours (when) they're not sure if your child will live, what's going to happen. For us, it was life changing in our family."

Verley-Rosa told the hospital staff at the luncheon that their treatment of the whole family is what really made a difference.

"Even though I wasn't the patient, my daughter was, I did fall apart," she said. "I want to thank all the all the people, nurses and staff, for helping me and putting me together even though I wasn't the patient and I want to thank you all for being there for me as much as you were for my daughter. I know she wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all of you."

Because of the seriousness of their injuries, many of the patients said that they didn't remember the people who helped them, but it was important for them to say thank you.

"I wanted to express gratitude and just so much thanks," said Brett McNamara, who left a family reunion in California to come to the event. "I know my wife had and my family had, but I personally hadn't so when they told us about this, I thought well, we've got to be there."

McNamara was in a jet ski accident on Lake Mohave last May while on vacation with his family from Oceanside, Calif.

"Its really, really great for us to see you," said Tim Browde, the trauma surgeon who treated McNamara. "The last time I saw you, you went to rehab and you were still in bad condition, so to see you a year later to see how you've recovered and have your life back together and how great you look, its really, really important for us. It's very rewarding. This is why we do what we do."

Hospital staff said the event was as important to them as it is to the former patients.

"It's kind of two fold, to let our patients come back and say 'thanks,' and it's great for our employees to hear that and to know of the impact of what they've done," said Rick Plummer, UMC's marketing director. "They save their (patients') lives and then move them on throughout the hospital, but don't get the chance to follow them. So this is kind of closing the loop and its good for patients and employees."

Gregg Fusto, director of trauma services, said the event was an "emotional rush" for the employees, who are usually too busy to really honor the survivors they meet.

"It's a tribute to the patients," he said. "You have a relationship with the family, and we decided what a great idea it is to start (an event) where we can honor them."