Emergency, Trauma & Critical Care Services

Matt Brown
Vice President
865.305.6040
Location: 2 North

Emergency and trauma nursing areas include the following:

Emergency Department
Surgical Critical Care

Emergency Department

Nurse Manager - Christian Lawson, BSN, RN
865.305.8172
Location: 1 North

The University of Tennessee Medical Center Emergency Department is the tertiary referral center for medical care in the East Tennessee region. It is the area’s only designated Level I Trauma Center for adults and pediatrics. It also is a Joint Commission certified primary Stroke Center. The facility is one of the largest emergency departments in the area, at 30,500 square feet with 51 beds. In 2008, the Emergency Department provided care for more than 60,000 patients and is on target to see more than 64,000 this year.

A dedicated staff of emergency medicine professionals provides our patients exceptional care. The staff functions with a collaborative, team approach to provide state-of-the-art care with compassion to our patients and their families.

Surgical Critical Care (SCC)

Nurse Manager - Karen Pryor, MSN, RN
865.305.6018

The Surgical Critical Care (SCC) is a 32-bed, fast-paced, challenging unit. We are most known for the care we provide for the patients we admit as a Level I Trauma facility. These patients normally arrive to us via our helicopter service, LIFESTAR. Care of these patients can include complex treatments such as massive fluid resuscitation, surgery, various vasoactive gtts and close hemodynamic monitoring.

Another important area of focus for us is our strong neurosurgery program that treats everything from tumors, aneurysms and hemorrhagic strokes, to traumatic brain injury. Care of these patients can include intracranial pressure monitoring and intraventricular drains.

SCC Physicians

Our primary physicians conduct multidisciplinary rounds once daily. As part of our flexible visitation and family partnering program, we encourage family member participation during these rounds. We also have multiple specialists that are consulted to see our patients as needed.

We are the area’s only teaching hospital. Working in conjunction with the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, we participate in the development of residents in the specialties of surgery, trauma and anesthesiology.

SCC Staff

Our staff is dedicated to the patients and families we serve. The leadership of the unit consists of a nurse manager and team leaders. Our clinical and educational needs are overseen by our nurse educator. Our registered nurses are highly trained individuals. Many have earned advanced certifications, including CCRN, CNRN and TNCC. Our scheduling, payroll and office needs are addressed by the administrative assistant. We also are fortunate to have certified nursing assistants and nursing unit assistants (secretaries) who play extremely important roles in the care provided to our patients as well as in assisting the registered nurses and physicians.

Our staff participate on the shared governance councils. This includes our unit-based council that seeks to continually improve the work environment and the care provided to our patients.

The staff is dedicated to quality care and excellent patient outcomes. Our staff has participated in many research studies and clinical trials of new products and devices.

Surgical Critical Care Unit (SCC Team )

Our goal every shift is to provide the best care possible to our patients. We accomplish this through teamwork, compassion and perpetual learning. The SCC is a special place. It takes passion and dedication to work here. We look for and want the best when new people join our team.

If you would like more information regarding a career in the Surgical Critical Care Unit, please contact the Nurse Manager, Karen Pryor, RN, MSN.