For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital hosted the Trauma Survivors Reunion, uniting patients who overcame life-threatening injuries with the first responders and medical teams who helped save their lives.The event honored more than 40 years of trauma care excellence and celebrated the strength of individuals who overcame life-altering injuries, with emotional moments of gratitude, reconnection, and hope.
One of the most moving highlights was a performance by 16-year-old trauma survivor Emery Hernandez, who took the stage to sing two heartfelt songs, symbolizing her journey from injury to recovery. After a major car accident, Emery was rushed to the Trauma Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Her injuries required surgery and a three-month stay in both the Cherese Mari Laulhere Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Rehabilitation Center.
“My care team at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital were the ones that helped me have a second chance at life,” said Emery Hernandez. “I’m just eternally grateful and so happy I get to be here today.”
Another survivor shared their story on stage, beginning with the emergency call that launched their care journey,
followed by a photo from their hospitalization, and ending with a current image that reflected their remarkable progress.
“This reunion is a testament to the power of teamwork and the human spirit,” said Douglas Fraser, M.D., medical director, Trauma Center, Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Behind every survivor is an entire multidisciplinary team—surgeons, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and more—whose coordinated efforts make recovery possible. It’s a privilege to witness these survivors thriving and to reconnect with the people who played a role in their journey.”
The event also highlighted the importance of psychosocial support in trauma recovery, with Child Life specialists, music therapists, social workers, and rehabilitation teams playing a vital role in helping patients and families navigate the emotional aftermath of injury.
Also in attendance was Clayton Kazan, M.D., medical director of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, along with representatives from the Long Beach and Los Angeles County Fire Departments—underscoring the vital collaboration between first responders and hospital trauma teams.
Verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma as a Level II Trauma Center, Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital’s Trauma Center serves more than 1.3 million residents across 24 ZIP codes. As one of the original trauma centers in the Los Angeles County Trauma System, its legacy of excellence spans over four decades—providing integrated care for both pediatric and adult patients—ensuring families can stay together during critical moments.
