Trauma Care

Southern Illinois's Only Level Two Trauma Center

A severe injury can change a life in seconds.

At SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Southern Illinois's only Level Two Trauma Center, specialized surgical care and a coordinated trauma response are available when time matters most. For our region, that means access to life-saving treatment that once required transport to metropolitan centers hundreds of miles away.

SIH trauma surgeons are fellowship-trained in trauma, acute care surgery, and surgical critical care, bringing advanced training to both emergency operations and the complex care patients may need afterward. They work alongside emergency physicians, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, trauma-certified nurses, and other skilled professionals to assess injuries, prioritize treatment, and respond to rapidly changing needs.

From serious falls and vehicle crashes to penetrating wounds and internal injuries, trauma care requires an entire hospital working together. Emergency care, imaging, surgery, intensive care, and rehabilitation each play a role in helping patients move from the initial crisis toward recovery.

Treatment capabilities include whole blood transfusions for patients with severe bleeding, reflecting SIH's commitment to advancing trauma care in Southern Illinois. That response begins before a patient reaches our doors. SIH works with first responders, ground and air ambulance crews, and referring hospitals to coordinate treatment and transport through regional education and the annual SIH Trauma and Critical Care Symposium. Our team shares knowledge that strengthens care from the scene of an injury through hospitalization and follow-up.

For patients and families, this is the value of a dedicated regional trauma program: specialized people, coordinated resources, and a team focused on helping survivors regain as much function and independence as possible.