Tuesday, May 16, 2017

It is an emotional but endearing experience to witness survivors offer their sentiments to the first responders and clinicians who cared for them at their sickest.

“It’s healing and encouragement all wrapped into one,” said Wendy Lugo, nurse manager at the VCU Health Evans-Haynes Burn Center.

Evans-Haynes will host its annual “Burn Survivor Sunday” event from 1–4 p.m., May 21 at the MCV Alumni House, 1016 E. Clay St. Burn survivors, and their families, will meet and greet with local firefighters and the hospital staff who treated them. Local fire trucks will also be on site offering tours.

In addition to former patients sharing their stories, Evans-Haynes Medical Director Michael Feldman, M.D., will address attendees. Fire prevention and safety information will also be available. Many of the same survivors attend each year to reconnect with VCU staff and others who share their experiences of hurt and healing.

“It’s important that survivors continue to share their stories. We’re always so pleased to see how well they’re doing and to see that they continue to champion VCU for the work we do,” Lugo said. “It allows the community to see our commitment to treating burn patients with care and concern that’s longstanding.”  

Evans-Haynes Burn Center is a 16-bed unit with an eight-bed ICU and eight nonacute beds. The center treats between 400 and 450 patients annually, including pediatric and adult burn patients. It’s the sole verified burn center in Virginia. It treats patients with acute burns, and also treats the reconstructive needs of burn survivors and those injured by fire, chemical, scalds and electrical burns.