Mike Keown

Home: Coolidge, in Thomas County, about 50 miles south of Albany, 220 miles south of Atlanta

Date of trauma: August 6, 2005

Age at time of trauma: 51

Trauma incident: Keown fell approximately 20 feet off a ladder while doing construction at his son's home.

Trauma response: Thomas County EMS responded in approximately 20 minutes. Keown was taken to Archbold Medical Center, a designated/ Level II trauma center in Thomasville, where a trauma team led by surgeon Dr. Gregory K. Patterson reset his dislocated shoulder, detected a pelvic fracture, and sutured an open wound on his ankle. Keown was hospitalized for 13 days.

Keown says he did not fully recover until the end of January, but is back to regular physical activities today.

The trauma care difference: "Everyone needs access to a trauma center comparable to Archbold," says Keown. "The emergency care I received was essential to my recovery."

(Photo: Mr. Keown, a Republican, represents part of Grady and part of Thomas Counties (District 173) in the Georgia House of Representatives.)