Community Regional Medical Center was notified it has received verification as a Level 1 trauma center by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.

“ACS trauma center verification is the national gold standard for trauma care. This represents a nationally recognized ‘center of excellence’ and has demanding standards,” said Dr. Jim Davis, chief of trauma at Community Regional. “We are both pleased and proud of this accomplishment, which could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of everyone that works in the trauma center, from the housekeepers to the CEO.”

For more than 20 years Community Regional has been certified by the state of California as a Level 1 trauma center, Davis said. However, Community Regional chose to take the extra steps to achieve a more rigorous status of ACS Level 1verification. According to the ACS, the verification is a very rigorous process that involves support and input from individuals and departments throughout the hospital.

“It’s not required in the state of California,” said registered nurse Lynn Bennink, Community Regional’s Trauma Program director. “The fact that our hospital administration and physicians elected to go through this very rigorous process shows our commitment to providing optimal care for the trauma patients.”

The Table Mountain Rancheria Trauma Center at Community Regional is the only Level 1 trauma center from Sacramento to Los Angeles and has one of the largest service areas in the state covering nine counties and 15,000 square miles – roughly the size of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey combined.

This story was reported by Mary Lisa Russell. She can be reached at mrussell@communitymedical.org.