Brevard Trauma Survivors Reunite With Lifesavers at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center

survivors reunited with surgeons and clinical teams, EMS responders and First Flight representatives

WATCH: Shawn Thompson was the very first trauma patient cared for at Holmes Regional Medical Center in 1999. He was injured in 1999 when he was driving home from Spring Break when he was struck by a fast-moving pickup truck that t-boned his vehicle, and he was airlifted to Holmes Regional.

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The third annual event gathered survivors, their loved ones, first responders, and the Health First trauma care team. Shawn Thompson, Holmes Regional’s first trauma patient from 1999, joined the event.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA—Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center hosted the third annual Trauma Patient Survivor Reunion, an emotional, inspirational, and celebratory reunion event celebrating numerous trauma survivors, their loved ones, and the teams that saved their lives.

Over a dozen survivors, including vehicle, boating, and motorcycle accident victims, were among those in attendance and reunited with surgeons and clinical teams, as well as EMS responders and First Flight air ambulance representatives.

The event also falls on National Trauma Survivors Day, a day recognized every year on the third Wednesday of May to celebrate together the strength and resiliency of trauma survivors, their family/friends, and the trauma professionals who go above and beyond every day.

“Since joining Health First last year, one thing has consistently stood out—the remarkable sense of community here on the Space Coast. Healthcare providers, along with associates, patients, and families, share a strong commitment to caring for one another. Tonight’s gathering exemplifies that spirit, showcasing the power of resilience and possibility,” Health First President and CEO Terry Forde told the crowd of over 150 in attendance.

“For more than 25 years, Holmes Regional Medical Center has proudly served as Brevard’s only Level II Trauma Center. Our trauma professionals work closely alongside First Flight, Brevard Fire Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services to rapidly deliver life-saving care when every minute matters. Trauma experts consistently emphasize the critical importance of the ‘golden hour’ – that initial 60 minutes after traumatic injury. Studies have shown that timely access to specialized trauma care within this window dramatically improves survival rates and long-term recovery outcomes. This research underscores why rapid treatment from our first responders, trauma surgeons, nurses, and air crews make a life-saving difference,” Forde continued.

In 2024, Health First’s trauma surgeons advanced practice providers, and countless rehabilitation and respiratory therapists with the Holmes Regional Trauma Center provided multidisciplinary, round-the-clock care for approximately 2,000 patients.

As the only state-accredited Level II trauma center in Brevard and Indian River Counties, Holmes Regional Medical Center offers 24/7 trauma care and rapid patient transport via First Flight and First Flight 2 – Health First’s air ambulance program.

“Our ultimate goal always remains clear — to fully heal our patients and return them safely home to their families. We are profoundly inspired by your strength, humbled by your trust, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside you on this journey,” said Health First trauma surgeon Dr. Tony Dunne.

“I am so thankful to everyone for sharing these extraordinary stories of resilience and courage. Though each journey is unique, a common thread unites these stories — the dedicated support of our trauma team as they help these patients write fresh, hopeful chapters after trauma. But tonight, we also extend our profound thanks to our community partners — including Brevard County EMS and Coastal Ambulance — for the invaluable role they play in every story of trauma survival. Brevard County benefits immensely from a highly effective, integrated Trauma Response Network, perfected through decades of close collaboration,” Dunne continued.

Some of this evening’s survivors and their stories include:

■ Shawn Thompson – First Trauma Patient at Holmes Regional Medical Center 1999

Shawn Thompson was the very first trauma patient cared for at Holmes Regional Medical Center in 1999, and he learned about this evening’s event almost by accident.

“My wife’s father-in-law was having back surgery here a couple of weeks ago. And one of the nurses just happened to mentioned this event, and she said, ‘you guys should definitely come.’ So, we’re both really excited and honored to be here today with so many other survivors celebrating with one another and our care teams.”

Thompson was injured in 1999 when he was driving home from Spring Break when he was struck by a fast-moving pickup truck that t-boned his vehicle, and he was airlifted to Holmes Regional.

“They had literally just opened the unit, and I knew that I was going to be one of the first patients at the time, but I remember how orderly everything seemed to be laid out and how they really seemed to have everything prepared to take care of me. All the equipment was ready, the blood was on line, the doctors and nurses were ready for me.

This event and hearing these stories really gives you a great sense of appreciation for the work that happens here. And it’s nice to see the people that were saved who get to continue their lives … and create new lives.

Having Holmes Regional and this trauma center here in Melbourne I think it means everything for those of us who live and work here. God forbid something bad happens – you’ve got a place that’s close by, can handle the worst situations, and increase your survival rate.”

■ Deborah Bates

Almost 18 years ago to this day (May 11), Deborah Bates, 61, of Palm Bay, nearly died after getting hit by another driver who ran a red light. The accident caused her Ford Explorer to flip seven times, violently throwing her from the vehicle – severing her left leg, shattering her pelvis and causing other severe injuries.

She’s still emotional when she drives by the scene of the accident at Palm Bay Road and Port Malabar Boulevard. But Bates is grateful to be alive – and connected forever to the caregivers who saved her life.

Bates said as soon as she looked into the eyes of First Flight RN Rob Spivey, “I felt safe – I just knew he was going to take care of me.”

■ Jonathan Bourinot

Last July, Jonathan Bourinot, 37, was violently injured when his car was struck by another motorist on U.S. 1 in Palm Bay. First responders to the scene initially thought he was dead, he said. He was left with 31 broken bones, a fractured femur and was intubated, unresponsive for 11 hours before suddenly awakening. Bourinot can’t wait to see his caregivers, whom he said never expected him to walk again.

“It’s a lot to cope with and to just get used to, but by the grace of God and the (Health First Trauma) Team, I’m better,” he said, adding his gratitude for being alive. “That’s the best part of all – that they were able to do what they did in the amount of time that they had. It was definitely a second chance at life. Not too many people get those chances.”

■ Ray Winkles

Ray Winkles, 64, now of Orlando, was in a monthlong medically induced coma after losing control of his car. He’d slammed into a pole on Interstate 95 near the Beachline Expressway’s southbound exit.

“They were the reason I did make it through, through it because of the care and everything they put into it – my comfort and making sure I was able to get through it, Winkles said.

■ Mark Stapleton

Mark Stapleton, 68, of Viera, was attempting to turn onto the Pineda Causeway from northbound State Road A1A when another vehicle turning south on the slick roadway began to roll. Crossing the median, the out-of-control pickup flipped over the median and landed on top of Stapleton’s car, in which his wife and brother-in-law were passengers. Had his wife been driving, Stapleton said, she would have likely been killed. But he took the brunt of it, for which he’s thankful.

Stapleton ended up being cared for at Holmes Regional for over 50 days, requiring 17 pints of blood to save his life. He’s also recently undergone a lung transplant in Jacksonville due to injuries sustained in the accident.  Regardless, he’s grateful to still be here – and able to thank those who saved his life.

“I walked into the ICU (during a visit to say ‘thank you’ in 2023) and one of the surgeons that performed the surgery on me came around the corner. He literally started crying,” Stapleton recalled. “He said, ‘I can’t believe you’re standing here.’…The one thing that impressed me is they never gave up. They never just said, ‘You know what? There’s nothing we can do’ and walked away. They just kept on working. So that’s what kept me alive.”

■ Nicole Goslant

Nicole Goslant, 17, of West Melbourne was thrown from a boat after another boat’s wake hit the vessel she was riding in. Both passengers were tossed into the water. Since a kill switch wasn’t being used, the boat kept moving, swung around and struck Goslant in the head, where her hair became entangled in the propeller, keeping her stuck under the boat – and knocking her unconscious.

She suffered three skull fractures and multiple lacerations. Her mom, Carmen Woodruff, said, “Nicole had nurses and doctors around the clock and each one of them was caring, knowledgeable and understanding of what she was going through.”

Goslant and her mom look forward to spending time with the caregivers who helped save her. “It means so much to me,” Goslant said, “because without their help and care I wouldn’t be alive right now. I am so grateful.”

According to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) injury is considered a major public health problem. In the United States, injury accounts for over 150,000 deaths and over 3 million non-fatal injuries per year. Around the world, injury is responsible for more than 5 million deaths per year. Many millions more are injured. The events which result in injury are not random or unpredictable. Injury can be prevented and many lives saved by learning more about the causes of injury and implementing appropriate injury prevention strategies. Many of these strategies are well-established, easily available and relatively inexpensive, such as seat belts and helmets.

The First Flight Air Medical Program now operates two state-of-the-art EC135 helicopters, equipped with critical care interiors tailored for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Interfacility Hospital Transport. Both helicopters are staffed with highly trained professionals – including one pilot and two medical crew members: a Registered Nurse Paramedic (RN Paramedic) and a Critical Care Paramedic.

First Flight has served as the primary helicopter ambulance service for Brevard County and northern Indian River County for over 35 years, responding to multiple calls each day. As the number of calls increase, Health First is also doubling its air fleet to meet the anticipated growth of emergency and trauma needs.

With the influx of aerospace and defense employment, and one of the nation’s busiest commercial cruise ports, the 10^th largest county in the state of Florida, is expected to continue its growth and development.

“In a traumatic emergency situation, such as vehicle crash, a workplace injury, a heart attack or stroke incident, time matters – time is life,” said Tiffany Bassani, Health First Director of Patient Logistics.

“Being able to reach, stabilize and quickly transport a patient to the nearest medical center gives the patient the very best chance of survival and this expanded air presence now provides the fastest, most saturated coverage Brevard County has ever had. And with four hospitals in Brevard County – including Cape Canaveral in the north, Viera and our Level II trauma center Holmes Regional in Central Brevard, and Palm Bay Hospital in south Brevard, our strategically placed First Flight presence can quickly reach and transport a patient in less than 30 minutes anywhere in the county.”

First Flight now operates out of two strategic bases of operations: one in Melbourne at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport – and the new base addition in Titusville, enabling the air teams to effectively support a wide range of emergencies, including Trauma, Cardiac, Stroke, and other acute medical conditions.

In partnership with Metro Aviation, First Flight benefits from 43 years of expertise in medical aviation operations. Health First and Metro Aviation have been working together for over 33 years, combining efforts to provide seamless and life-saving air medical services.

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