Saint Francis and Saint Mary's Receive Trauma Center Recertification from the American College of Surgeons
August 13, 2025Categories: Awards and Recognition
Trinity Health Of New England is proud to announce Saint Francis Hospital and Saint Mary’s Hospital have both received recertification as Trauma Centers by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Saint Francis is verified as a Level I Trauma Center while Saint Mary’s is verified as a Level II Trauma Center. Standards for Trauma Center distinction denote the spectrum of care that must be available to the injured patient at the facility.
Saint Francis is verified as a Level I Trauma Center and Saint Mary's is verified as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons.
Saint Francis was initially verified as a Level I Trauma Center in 2018. Level I Trauma Centers serve as a comprehensive regional resource and are tertiary care facilities, providing total care for every aspect of injury, from prevention through rehabilitation. Key elements of a Level I center include:
• 24/7 in-house coverage by general surgeons
• Dedicated trauma team including a surgical director with advanced critical care training
• On-site prompt availability of specialty care in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, internal medicine, plastic surgery, critical care, and others
• Operation of an organized teaching and research effort to help direct new innovations in trauma care
• Provide leadership in prevention and public education programs within the community
• Offer programs for substance abuse screening and patient intervention
• Admit a high volume of trauma patients annually
Saint Mary’s continues to meet the rigorous standards required for Level II designation. Level II centers are expected to provide initial definitive trauma care for a wide range of injuries and injury severity and may take on additional responsibilities in the region related to education, system leadership, and disaster planning. Key elements of a Level II Trauma Center include:
• 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons
• Prompt availability by specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, and critical care
• Ability to provide comprehensive trauma care while referring select tertiary care needs to a Level I Trauma Center
• Trauma prevention initiatives and ongoing education programs for staff
• Involvement with prevention efforts and active outreach program for its referring communities
“Saint Francis and Saint Mary’s receiving trauma center recertification by the American College of Surgeons means Trinity Health Of New England has the capacity and capability to provide the most advanced life-saving measures available and underscores our commitment to the communities we serve in Hartford, Waterbury, and the surrounding areas,” said Montez Carter, PharmD, FACHE, President & CEO, Trinity Health Of New England.
The Saint Francis Trauma Department is led by Andrew Doben, MD, FACS, Trauma Medical Director, and Taylor Fusco-Ruiz, BS, RN, Trauma Program Manager. The Saint Mary’s Trauma Department is led by Carina Biggs, MD, Trauma Medical Director, and Roxanne Tapley, DNP, MSN, RN, Trauma Program Manager.