![StJoseph053013_feat](https://wtaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/StJoseph053013_feat.jpg)
Community leaders gathered Thursday morning in front of St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan to announce the opening of a level two trauma center.
St. Joseph completed a two year accreditation process to have the full-time ability to handle the most severe and life threatening injuries.
Serving 20 counties, it is the only level two trauma center between Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Temple.
St. Joseph works with more than ten EMS agencies in the Brazos Valley and is the primary 911 service provider for Burleson and Grimes counties. Starting June 1, St. Joseph will be the primary 911 service provider for Madison County.
In the last five years, the St. Joseph system has cared for more than 16,000 trauma patients. 40 percent were caused by a fall and 30 percent by car crashes.
St. Joseph Health System Odette Bolano and trauma program medical director Dr. Adair de Berry-Carlisle thanked those involved in the accreditation process.
Click here to listen to the formal announcement.
WTAW’s Bill Oliver visits with Odette Bolano.
WTAW’s Bill Oliver visits with Dr. Adair de Berry-Carlisle.