This week, Dr. Gabbe share's his insights from a recent visit to the Burn Center and the efforts to provide care and education both inside and outside OSUMC.
Hi! The media coverage of last week’s inauguration provided many facts about the presidency, the White House and the traditions surrounding this unique American event.
While I’ve lived in the United States my entire life, I learned many things about this transition process I didn’t know. I feel the same way about this Medical Center. Every day I learn something new about this incredible place. Even for those of you who have been here for many years, I bet you experience the same thing. This is an amazing medical center!
Recently, I had the opportunity to learn about the OSU Burn Center when I visited there with Pete Geier. You may know that The Ohio State University Medical Center has the only adult burn center in central Ohio but there are many things you may not know about this impressive group.
The center provides both inpatient and outpatient care for burn wounds and complex burn management. As part of Ohio State's level I trauma center, the Burn Center offers physical and occupational therapy, along with speech language therapy, a psychologist, social worker and nutritional services, and pastoral services.
Earlier this month, the American Burn Association Burn Center Verification Committee accredited OSU Medical Center’s Burn Center as an adult burn center, recognizing the center for its commitment to excellence and providing quality care for its burn patients. The review was conducted by the ABA and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. This is the first time we’ve been awarded this designation.
Dr. Sidney Miller, our Burn Center Director, is a national leader in the field, serving as the first vice president of the American Burn Association. In this position, he works to promote and support burn-related research, patient care, education, rehabilitation and prevention.
Like many of our programs here at Ohio State, the Burn Center’s commitment to patients and the community extends well beyond our walls. Ohio State University Medical Center’s Burn Center has established a peer support program designed to partner former burn patients with others affected by burn injuries. Many of our burn patients lives change forever due to their injuries and disfigurement associated with the burn, loss of jobs or relationships, and they need the support of those who understand what they’ve been through to truly recover. This is also why we provide psychologists and social workers as part of our treatment team.
The Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery or SOAR program allows burn survivors or family members, with training from burn center staff, to play a significant role in providing peer support to current burn patients.
This program empowers caregivers with the information and skills they need to make the transition from burn victim to burn survivor easier.
In the fall, Burn Center staff joined other OSU Medical Center staff in providing community education during COSI’s Emergency Day exhibit. The Burn Center staff provided tips on burn prevention and treatment and answered questions for visitors who also toured a burn operating room.
It’s clear that the Burn Center is dedicated to all three parts of our mission of patient care, teaching and research and is dedicated to our community. I appreciated the staff taking time to share their work with me and Pete, and I encourage you to learn more about areas of the Medical Center that you aren’t familiar with. We can all learn something new and, in the process, learn to appreciate all that The OSU Medical Center has to offer.
Well, have a great week!