Siegel named invited faculty for International Society of Limb Salvage meeting
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Professor Herrick Siegel, M.D., was invited to present his research at the International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS) meeting on September 6-9 in Los Angeles, CA.
Read moreTug of war: common injuries that you might experience too
With The World Games 2022 just around the corner, UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine is gearing up to support several events, like outdoor tug of war, as the official medical provider.
Read moreDepartment celebrates residents through awards day and chief resident dinner
The Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program honored its chief residents, as well as supporting faculty and residents across the program, at Resident Research Day as well as a chief resident graduation dinner last week.
Read moreFollowing car wreck, entire family treated by UAB Orthopaedics
On January 4, 2022, the Henry family– father, mother, daughter, and girlfriend– were driving to Washington, D.C. to do some sightseeing. With daughter Amy Henry, BSN RN, a nurse at UAB Medicine, driving the vehicle, they enjoyed the Virginia mountains covered in snow and the last few hours of a family road trip.
In addition to her position as a nurse with UAB Medicine, Amy Henry’s girlfriend Sara Bauer, BSN, RN is also a nurse at UAB.
In a flash
Seemingly out of nowhere, a car careened across the median between I-81 East and I-81 West, went airborne, and landed directly in the Henry family’s path. They hit head-on, going 75 mph.
After the impact, the vehicle made its way about 20 yards off the interstate and into the snow. Chaos ensued after the wreck, and Amy encouraged everyone who was able to get out of the vehicle, in case of a fire or other safety hazard. Everyone was alive, but they soon began to realize that each one of them had serious injuries.
“I am a nurse and have worked in UAB's operating room for five years, but the shock was keeping me from being able to recall any helpful knowledge for either of my parents,” said Amy Henry. “I realized that I was also sitting in the snow because I felt a lot of pain in my right hand.”
The paramedics arrived within five minutes and each family member was ushered to separate ambulances. Everyone was transported to a hospital in Winchester, TN, where they were seen in the emergency room.
The diagnoses
Amy Henry was diagnosed with a torn UCL in her right hand and had surgery in Virginia about two weeks after the wreck to correct it. Following that surgery, an MRI of her right foot revealed a torn bone, ligament, and muscle that required a boot for about six weeks. Finally, an MRI of her shoulder revealed a SLAP tear of her right shoulder.
Both of Amy Henry’s parents were taken to critical care units while she was sent to get x-rays of her right foot, right hand, and right shoulder– all of these sites were becoming very bruised and stiff, but thankfully, nothing was broken.
Amy Henry’s mother was diagnosed with six broken ribs, a broken sternum, and a broken hand. Her father was diagnosed with a shattered left ankle and leg, 12 broken ribs, a fractured sternum, internal bleeding, and a perforated bowel, so he had to undergo two surgeries over the course of two days.
“Once we realized the severity of the situation, my first instinct was to get my parents to UAB to continue their care. I reached out to my colleagues from the UAB OR, and they were able to coordinate getting my dad a life flight back to UAB, despite mechanical issues with the jet and a snowstorm” said Amy Henry.
Amy Henry credits the help of Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Michael Johnson, M.D., Department of Surgery Assistant Professor Virginia Pierce, M.D., and Assistant Nurse Manager Kayla Evans to get her parents transferred to UAB.
“A huge shout out to Drs. Michael Johnson and Virginia Pierce for accepting my parents and also pushing to get them transferred. I feel very fortunate and humbled to have such caring friends in such high places,” says Amy Henry. “Kayla Evans put in so much leg work to get the jet off the ground. She endured many texts and phone calls, and we’re so grateful.”
Amy Henry’s father ended up having an ex-fix by Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Assistant Professor Agarwal, Abhinav, M.D., followed by a tibial nail and an eight-inch plate to his left leg and ankle by Section Chief of Orthoapedic Trauma Jonathan Quade, M.D. Henry is grateful to her colleagues that were in her father’s surgeries.
Grateful hearts
Eventually, the rest of the family reconvened in Birmingham.
“I have never been more thankful to know that my family was in Birmingham receiving elite care from UAB. Once they were home, Kayla Evans and Andrea Tyson coordinated next-day doctor appointments for my mom with Drs. Amit Momaya and Rachel Aliotta,” said Amy Henry. “Dr. Momaya's athletic trainer, Sarah Kasprow, played a major role in coordinating appointments with Dr. Momaya for my mom, myself, and later my girlfriend.”
In those appointments, Amy Henry’s mother was diagnosed with three complete tears in her left elbow and a SLAP tear to her right shoulder and is currently doing physical therapy for all three injuries.
About two months after the wreck, Amy Henry’s girlfriend, who was seemingly unscathed, got a left knee MRI to err on the side of caution and was diagnosed with a meniscus tear. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor and Section Chief of Sports Medicine Amit Momaya, M.D., performed repair surgery.
Amy Henry is grateful to each person who played a role in her family’s healing process.
“Long story short, we got in the worst car accident of our lives in a state where we had no close friends or connections, and we were unfamiliar with the hospital systems,” said Amy Henry. “Somehow, from 682 miles away, UAB still found a way to make us a priority and took over the care of my dad and later the care of my mother, Sara, and myself.”
Amy Henry’s father is also grateful for the care he and the family received.
“Praise the nurses that go above and beyond every day. UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center and my therapists were amazing to get me back walking– so many great people at UAB!”
Amy Henry notes that the quality of care was a key reason that the family is recovering and able to get back to doing what they love in life. For Amy and her girlfriend, that is nursing.
“All because of the fantastic people at UAB, we now feel confident that we have received and continue to receive the most advanced and research-based care possible, surrounded by friends and people who care for us. Words cannot express my gratitude for these amazing people that I consider family,” said Amy Henry.
Hello, goodbye 2022: Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
For the first time in two year, UAB Heersink School of Medicine Match Day was held in person. Fourth-year medical students across the country engaged online through social media, sharing where they were matched. While it was impossible to have everyone in the same room at one time, the excitement could still be virtually felt.
Read moreUAB Orthopaedics represents at 2022 AOS/MOS Annual Meeting
The Alabama Orthopaedic Society (AOS) hosted their annual meeting May 19-21 at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama, and several UAB Orthopaedic Surgery faculty and trainees attended, networked, and presented their research.
Read moreUAB Adult Reconstructive and Total Joints Fellowship matches with first fellow
The UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Adult Reconstructive and Total Joints Fellowship has matched with its first fellow, Waleed Hardan, M.D., who will join the department this summer.
Read morePatch and team publish "Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Hemipelvectomy"
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery incoming resident David Patch, M.D., alongside his colleagues, published a review article titled “Diagnosis and Management of Traumatic Hemipelvectomy” in the Journal of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Read moreDepartment Timeline
Momaya aims to reduce risk of re-tear for patients after an ACL injury
Each year, over 250,000 individuals in the United States will suffer an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, according to the Center for Disease Control. For competitive or recreational athletes, this can be a debilitating injury that takes many months to heal from.
Read moreWall wins ACS research award
UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery PGY3 Resident Kevin Wall, M.D., MPH, received the American College of Surgeons Excellence in Research Award in the orthopaedic surgery category.
Read moreStrom and team publish research on infection and total hip arthroplasty
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery PGY-5 Resident Shane Strom, M.D., alongside his colleagues published “Risk Factors for Deep Infection and Conversion Total Hip Arthroplasty after Operative Combined Pelvic Ring and Acetabular Fractures” in Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma.
Read moreUAB Ortho set to attend SOA 2022
The UAB Department of Orthopaedic Surgery will travel to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia for the 39th Annual Southern Orthopaedic Association (SOA) meeting July 21-23.
Read moreMomaya gives commentary for Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor and Section Chief of Sports Medicine Amit Momaya, M.D., recently published an editorial commentary in Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery.
Read moreSpitler and team snag lead article for May issue of the JAAOS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs Clay Spitler, M.D., and team, were selected for the lead article of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS).
Read moreMomaya presented abstract at Emory Sports Medicine Symposium
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor and Section Chief of Sports Medicine Amit Momaya, M.D., was honored to have his abstract accepted at the 15th Annual Emory Sports Medicine Symposium.
Read moreUAB Ortho team wins Foundation for Orthopaedic Trauma grant
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs Clay Spitler, M.D., alongside Residents Matthew Hess, M.D., and David Patch,M.D., were awarded a grant through the Foundation for Orthopaedic Trauma (FOT).
Read moreFoot and Ankle Fellowship matches with Singh
The Department of Orthoapedic Surgery is pleased to welcome Swapnil Singh, M.D., to the Foot and Ankle Fellowship program in the 2022-2023 cohort.
Read moreGould and team publish research on pediatric concussion recovery
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Sara Gould, M.D., published “Socioeconomic and demographic considerations of pediatric concussion recovery” in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.
Read moreMedical student mentee wins breakout room award at symposium
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Mentee and MS3 in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Kelly Chandler won a breakout room award at the Medical Student Orthopedic Symposium (MSOS).
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