Last week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., joined the leadership of Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) in an appreciation ceremony to thank the Trauma Center personnel.
Steube presented two American flags, flown over the U.S. Capitol, in honor of SMH Trauma Medical Director Dr. Ali Al-Rawi and the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Trauma Center.
“God placed Dr. Ali Al-Rawi and his gifted team in my path the day of the accident, and I remain endlessly grateful for the care I received during my recovery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital,” said Steube. “The expertise in trauma care combined with quick response times played a significant role in jumpstarting my recovery. Sarasota Memorial Hospital has some of the lowest mortality rates in the country, and well below the national average. Our community is so fortunate to have this skilled team of experts to serve Floridians in times of crisis and need.”
After falling 25 feet in an accident on his property in January, SMH’s highly specialized team treated Steube for three nights in the Trauma Center and ICU. As Sarasota’s only trauma program, Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Level II Trauma Center provides a level of care that is unparalleled in our area.
Remarks were offered by Sarasota Memorial Health Care System President & CEO David Verinder, SMH Trauma Medical Director Dr. Ali Al-Rawi, and Nik Wallenda, “King of the Highwire.” Three members of the Flying Wallendas were treated at SMH Trauma Center following a 2017 tightrope accident that occurred while practicing for Circus Sarasota.
“We are incredibly proud of our highly skilled Trauma team, which stands ready 24/7 to deliver lifesaving, top-quality care to thousands of severely injured patients each year,” said Verinder. “We are thankful we have the experts, resources and advanced technology in place so we could provide immediate care to Congressman Steube, and we’re grateful he’s on the road to recovery.”
“I thank God for Congressman Steube’s recovery and thank him for sharing his time with us today to acknowledge our team,” said Al-Rawi. “We have a team that can work together and that’s why we have kept one of the nation’s lowest mortality rates when it comes to our trauma care. We are very blessed here at SMH to have the best of the best.”
“My sister would not likely be with us today if it wasn’t for Sarasota Memorial Hospital Trauma Center. With that being said, I’m extremely proud to be able to show my support for Dr. Al-Rawi, and his amazing team,” said Wallenda.
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Sarasota Memorial Health Care System provides the region’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 1 million patient visits each year across its two hospital campuses, freestanding ER, and network of outpatient care centers. Its flagship 901-bed hospital in Sarasota has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best, with superior patient outcomes and a comprehensive network of services, including Sarasota County’s only Trauma Center.
The Trauma team, which treats about 4,800 injured/trauma patients annually, includes highly specialized board-certified trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, subspecialists, and trauma and emergency care nurses. Thanks to the team’s expertise, the program’s survival rates consistently outperform national benchmark rates.
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