COM Outlook Winter 2020

50 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE GREGORY SEMON SAVES LIVES OF MASS-SHOOTING VICTIMS BY SCOTT COLTON, B.A., APR What began as a typical shift for Gregory Semon, D.O., FACS, FACOS (’08), a trauma surgeon at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, quickly escalated into crisis mode in the wake of a bloody mass shooting that occurred during the early-morning hours of August 4, 2019, in the nearby Oregon District of Dayton. The incident, which injured many and claimed nine innocent lives, would thrust Semon and the Level 1 trauma team he leads into the national spotlight—and result in a visit from the President and First Lady of the United States. “Our first notification of the mass shooting actually came from one of our surgical residents, who was enjoying a night out with her husband at one of the Oregon District bars. She told us she had heard multiple gunshots being fired. She said people were down on the ground and that everyone was evacuating the area,” Semon recalled. “We were all stunned,” he added. “Shortly thereafter, we received notification from Dayton paramed- ics that they would be bringing multiple victims to our trauma center, located less than a mile from the site of the shootings.” Mobilizing the Trauma Team Within minutes, 23 frightened victims were brought to the trauma center. Most had sustained gunshot wounds, while others were dealing with injuries suffered after being trampled by those fleeing the scene. Many victims suffered gunshot wounds to the extremi- ties, while others were shot in the torso and head. “In a mass-casualty event such as this, we had to rapidly identify the most injured patients and provide them with the care they needed,” Semon said of the chaotic scene. “Some required emergency surgery, while others needed ongoing care in our intensive care unit. Those who suffered minor injuries were assessed and dis- charged pretty quickly.” In what turned out to be the most favorable outcome possible, all the victims brought to Miami Valley Hospital survived their injuries thanks to the expert care provided by Semon and his top-notch trauma team. “One of the things I really enjoy about the trauma field is that it is truly a team sport. Any time a trauma alert arrives, we assemble a multidisciplinary team to care for the patients,” Semon explained. “As the trauma surgeon, I get to lead a team comprising surgery and emergency medicine residents, medical students, nurses, respi- ratory therapists, and X-ray technologists to perform life- saving interventions.” ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Calm Amidst Chaos ALUMNI Spotlight