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Trauma and Emergency Surgery

The University Hospital is a 716-bed acute care hospital and serves as the region’s lead level 1 trauma center. The Trauma Center manages more than 4,000 trauma activations each year that come from a 26,770 sq. mi., 22 county catchment area serving a population of more than 2.4 million. Transfers are coordinated through a centralized regional transfer center (MEDCOM). All trauma surgeons staffing the Trauma Center are active members of the UT Health San Antonio faculty and closely supervise the team of trauma residents, fellows, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. University Health System is the public hospital

district for Bexar County, Texas and is the primary teaching facility for UT Health San Antonio. The University Health System employs more than 4,000 people and maintains an operating budget of over $615 million annually.

Residents from each of the five years of residency rotate on the trauma service for four to six weeks. The residents participate in all aspects of the service including rotations in the emergency department, ward, and ICU. Daily didactic lectures and extensive opportunities for faculty-resident interaction are offered.

Pediatric Trauma

Prevention is the only cure for childhood trauma. We’d like to think that pediatric trauma has been reduced and that through research and public service educational efforts, significant progress has been made in reducing the incidence of injuries to children.

The fact is that no, we have not made much progress. Statistics are still high, and trauma is still the leading cause of death in children and adolescents. Because of this, in 2012 it was recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians (among other established medical associations) that injury prevention is included as part of the well-child exams.

In 2010, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that serious injury kills nearly 10,000 children in America each year — 599 from heart disease, 952 from birth defects, 1700 from cancer and 9523 from trauma.

Learn more about and how to join the UT Health SA / UHS Pediatric Injury Prevention Team »

Lillian Liao, M.D., MPH

Pediatric Trauma Medical Director | Associate Professor/Clinical | Pediatric Trauma and Burn Director, University Hospital

Division of Trauma & Emergency Surgery

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Pediatric Trauma

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Trauma Toy Chest

Started in 2008 by surgery residents, the Trauma Toy Chest provides soft fuzzy new stuffed animals for our smallest patients, helping to distract from the frequently unpleasant medical procedures they must go through. If you would like to contribute to the Trauma Toy Chest and help us keep it full for our little patients.

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