Event reunites victims, family, care workers
Memorial Satilla Health recently hosted its first Trauma Survivor Reunion, bringing together trauma survivors, family members, physicians, nurses, EMS partners, and hospital staff to celebrate healing, resilience, and the lifesaving impact of trauma care.
The emotional event honored three recent trauma survivors whose accidents occurred within the last year — one as recently as three months ago. Each survivor overcame devastating injuries and odds that, at one point, were not expected to be survivable.
“You’re all walking miracles,” said Trauma Program Manager Caitlyn Walsh.
The reunion was organized in recognition of Trauma Awareness Month. It comes on the heels of MSH last month being designated a Level IV Trauma Center by the Georgia Department of Public Health for its emergency care.
Among those recognized were:
• An ATV accident survivor who suffered a traumatic brain bleed in February.
• A pedestrian struck by a vehicle who sustained a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures last November. His family was called to the bedside because he was in a lifethreatening situation.
• A motorcycle accident survivor who endured a brain bleed, multiple fractures and a spinal cord injury 10 months ago.
One survivor traveled more than four hours to reunite with the care team who helped save his life. Another shared that his greatest wish was simply to thank the physician who treated him.
While the physician was unable to attend in person, he joined the event by FaceTime to reconnect with the patient.
Each survivor was presented with a commemorative plaque as members of their care teams were recognized throughout the ceremony to a room full of applause.
In her opening remarks to the gathering, Walsh reflected on the unique meaning of the event for healthcare workers and survivors alike.
“Today is about you,” she told survivors and their families. “Today we celebrate your strength, your resilience, and the incredible journey that brought you here. As trauma caregivers, we meet people on the hardest days of their lives.
“We see the chaos, the pain, and the fight to survive, but we don’t always get to witness the healing that follows. You are the reason we continue to show up.”
Survivors also heard encouraging testimony from Brantley County native, Joey Shuman, survivor of a motor vehicle accident who was once paralyzed, but now walks.
He credits his recovery to faith, prayer, and the support of his family throughout his healing journey.
Attendees also heard from Brantley Countian, Jaycee Thomas, who was struck by a train as a teenager 10 years ago. Alongside was her mother, Beth Ann Thomas, who spoke candidly about the emotional challenges faced by caregivers.
“The journey can be lonely, but you can never, ever give up,” she shared. “You’ll find strength you didn’t know you had.”
Her daughters encouraged current patients and families to remain determined through recovery.
“When they say you can’t, say ‘watch me,’” she said, adding her faith remains her greatest source of strength.
The Trauma Center designation marks a significant advancement in emergency care for the region. Previously, the region was designated by the state as a “trauma desert” due to limited access to services, with the nearest trauma facility approximately 80 miles away.
“This designation, and events like today, are about far more than a certification,” said Chief Executive Officer Damon Barrett. “They represent our commitment to caring for this community when it matters most. Trauma care is about people, relationships, and showing up during life’s most critical moments.”
During the event, trauma team members were recognized with peer-selected awards honoring excellence in trauma care and teamwork.
Emergency Room physicians, Dr. Timothy Osborne and Dr. Jason Springer, Niki Perritt (RN) and Aaron Bryson (RN), and EMS personnel Jade Nettles (Ware EMS) and Shea Cleland (Ware EMS) received trauma excellence awards.
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