Need to go forward, not backward in trauma care

My husband and I have been long time business owners in Pasco County and I presently own The Show Palace Entertainment and Banquet Center at 16128 US Hwy 19, Hudson. We believe that working and living in this area has so much to offer residents and business owners as well. We have been entertaining residents from this county as well as from all over the Gulf coast for years.

Since our facility accommodates so many people it isn't unusual for us to have need to call 911 often unfortunately for one reason or another for one of our patrons.  The professionals who come to our call for help with a patron in distress almost always bring them to the Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point since it is the closest and has the best reputation.

Knowing there is a trauma center there is most comforting for all of us since there are too few of them and Pasco County is densely populated as well as being a well known area for seasonal residents too. Before the trauma center opened up whenever there was an accident that warranted someone going to a trauma center there always was a helicopter needing to clear the area for hours at a time and the injured party had to wait quite some time to be taken to the proper facility.  Having a trauma center nearby is such a relief to all of us for so many reasons especially timing which is of the essence in a case where serious medical intervention is required.
 
It is my understanding that some of our elected officials in Tallahassee are considering closing our trauma center at the Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point and this gives me great concern since it is something that is much needed in this area and in taking it away we would be going backwards instead of forward in medical care.  What is that showing the community who elected these officials about how they care about them?
 
Since Pasco County continues to grow and businesses continue to open in the area I am urging you to strongly reconsider the idea of closing the trauma center and show all the residents and businesses here that you are serious about their safety.  Please do the right thing which is what the Pasco County residents trusted you to do by electing you and keep the trauma center open in the Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point.

Victoria Marasciullo
Hudson, FL