Cutting without a knife: reflections of a surgeon in healing

Traumatic injury imparts a physical and emotional response not only to the patients but also to the providers caring for this select population. The traumatic injuries to patients who require hospitalization are most often discussed, but there are a significant number of patients who experience bullet-related injuries that are seen at a trauma center but who do not have injuries that require intervention or hospitalization. Often, these patients are discharged and potentially followed up in the outpatient setting. There are a myriad of physical and emotional consequences to bullet-related injury that may go untreated or undertreated. Dr. LJ Punch discusses the experience transitioning from a surgeon who cuts to a surgeon who does not, and the move from Baltimore to St. Louis to create Power4STL to serve those at high risk for trauma-related physical and emotional challenges. Through focused efforts and multidisciplinary approaches, Dr. Punch and team effectively address patients' bullet-related injury and their trauma.