LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — The closest level 1 trauma center to the deadly school bus crash in Polk County only recently earned its designation, meaning kids under 16 in need of emergency trauma care would have had to cross county lines to get it.
“We have the only children’s emergency department that’s in Polk County that’s dedicated to children from zero to 17 years old,” said James Wright, the associate VP for emergency services at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.
The hospital was designated as a level 1 trauma center this June which means they are equipped with the trauma surgeons, operating rooms and tools to handle the most severe of injuries…