When every second counts, El Paso relies on University Medical Center (UMC), home to the only Level I Trauma Center within a 270-mile radius. Whether it’s a life-threatening accident or a complex critical injury, UMC stands ready 24/7 with the highest level of trauma care verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This means UMC isn’t just a hospital, it’s part of a wide-reaching trauma network that links EMS agencies, regional hospitals, and state and local governments, ensuring that the most severely injured patients in the region get the care they need without delay.
Being a Level I Trauma Center means that UMC maintains a full range of specialized staff, equipment, and services 24 hours a day, every day of the year. From emergency physicians and surgeons to anesthesiologists and trauma nurses, the right team is always ready.
UMC’s Trauma Center follows strict guidelines from the American College of Surgeons, including:
- Established trauma team activation criteria
- Clearly defined roles for team members
- Clinical practice guidelines for trauma care
- Ongoing performance improvement and patient safety (TPIPS) measures
- Transfer agreements for specialized cases such as burn patients
The result is a streamlined, efficient, and expertly managed trauma response system, one that makes a life-saving difference for thousands each year.
Stories of Survival
UMC’s Trauma Center isn’t just about emergency medicine, it’s about people. Patients like Jaclyn Pellicotte, whose remarkable recovery is chronicled in Wildflower: The Miracle Story of UMC Patient Jaclyn Pellicotte, remind us that the work happening behind the hospital doors is deeply personal.
“We have been in therapy since August of this year and we have seen a huge improvement overall,” said Sheri Pellicotte, Jaclyn’s mom, back in 2020. “We want to thank all the nurses, physicians, surgeons, as well as everyone at UMC. We are thankful to be back at University Medical Center of El Paso where we began. It means that my daughter has another chance at life again because without UMC’s drive and knowledge to save her life, she might not have survived.”
Today, after her brain injuries treatment, Jaclyn can walk 20 steps on her own and hold conversations. Houston’s TIRR Memorial Hermann had planned to honor her as a success story. “But then COVID-19 happened,” said Sheri. “They offered to do the unveiling over Zoom,” she added with a smile, “but we kindly declined. Jaclyn wants to walk into the ceremony herself, and when that day comes, we know the timing, like every step in her recovery, will be just right.”
One Call Can Save a Life
Transferring patients to UMC’s Trauma Center is fast and seamless. Call 1-800-473-8440 or 915-479-3484 to safely and efficiently transition care to the region’s most advanced trauma facility.
Visit the UMC website for more information and resources available for critical events.
