UF Health Shands earns national recognition for trauma care

UF Health Shands has received national recognition from the American College of Surgeons, or ACS, for its commitment to the standards of an Adult Level I Trauma Center.

UF Health Shands, which received the verification from the ACS in December, was originally designated by the state as a Level I Trauma Center in July 2005. ACS verification is a voluntary measure for certified Level I Trauma Centers aiming to meet additional levels of excellence in trauma care for patients.

“We are a flagship organization for trauma care,” said Lara Zamajtuk, the associate vice president of operations for UF Health Shands, who noted the verification from the ACS followed a site visit in October.

The distinction as an ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center places UF Health in a unique position among other health care institutions, she said, with multiple national recognitions to reinforce the hospital’s commitment to high-quality care.

“This recognition is special because it reinforces our commitment to providing the best possible patient care,” said Ed Jimenez, CEO of UF Health Shands.

Zamajtuk said UF Health saw more than 3,000 trauma cases in 2018, and the organization is always looking for new ways to improve its treatments.

“It (the ACS verification) really does show our commitment to our community,” she said.