Today, Thursday October 22, The Burn and Reconstructive Center of Texas was officially opened at The Medical Center of Plano.
The burn center is Collin County’s first and North Texas’ second dedicated burn unit. It is expected to serve patients from Texas, as well as from the surrounding states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico.
Justin Doss, Sandi Gill, Dr. Salil Gulati and Charles Gressle
Speaking at the ribbon cutting which took place this morning, Charles Gressle, CEO at The Medical Center of Plano, said, “Our burn center is in direct response to a rapidly growing region with expanded trauma and emergency needs. Specialized burn care complements our trauma program and places The Medical Center of Plano at the pinnacle of emergency care. For us, it’s symbolic that we can handle any and every need for all our patients.”
In addition to CEO Charles Gressle, COO Justin Doss and Sandi Gill Vice President of Nursing Operations, also taking part in the opening celebrations were members of the Plano Fire Department, as well as Doctors and Nurses of the Medical Center of Plano. Pictured above.
Also in attendance was Dr. Salil Gulati, Medical Diretor of the new burn center and Dr. Khang Tran, Chief Medical Officer for the Medical Center of Plano. Pictured right.
The $10 million dollar, 20,000 square foot addition includes a specially equipped trauma room, two operating rooms, an eight bed intensive care unit, a step down unit for inpatient care, and a six room outpatient burn clinic.
The operating rooms and ICU have special climate controls to regulate temperature and humidity for burn patients who often have difficulty maintaining body temperature. In addition, specialized whirlpools meet the unique needs of burn patients and the outpatient clinic is equipped for short and long-term rehabilitation as a result of complications from burns.
The Burn and Reconstructive Center of Texas is in collaboration with the widely respected JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, a pioneer in burn care treatment. A highly qualified team of surgeons, nurses and therapists certified and trained in critical burn and advanced wound care for adults will staff the unit.
The newly opened Burn and Reconstructive Center of Texas forms part of The Medical Center of Plano’s Level 2 Trauma Center, the only one of it’s kind in Collin County. In efforts to further advance their level of care, the Medical Center of Plano is currently pursuing accreditation as a Level 1 Trauma Center, the highest level of trauma care available.
“We are the most comprehensive hospital in Collin County,” said Charles Gressle, CEO of The Medical Center of Plano. “This burn center is an extension of our commitment to exceptional and high level health care.”
Photography by Mike Newman.
