Med's Trauma Unit Treats Injured Doctor

Lucky to be alive, that's what a surgeon at the Memphis VA Medical Center said about Dr. Trent Pierce after a bomb detonated in his face.

Now he's recovering at the Med after several life-saving surgeries.

Dr. Trent Pierce is still listed in critical condition at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.

He was airlifted from Crittenden County to receive care at the Med's trauma unit. It's a place where doctors know just how to treat his traumatic injuries.

Moments after an explosive device detonated leaving Pierce in critical condition, Jason Haycraft stumbled on the scene and helped the doctor's wife make lifesaving phone calls for help.

"There were two police officers I think who showed up. One showed up, one followed maybe a minute later, and then the ambulance and fire truck," said Jason Haycraft.

Haycraft said in less than five minutes, Pierce was transported to the hospital where he was stabilized before being airlifted to the Regional Medical Center's trauma unit.
Dr. Gene Mangiante, a surgeon at the VA Medical Center in Memphis, said "It was really a fine testament to the medical care in the Mid-South."

Mangiante said the quick thinking, communication and teamwork is a testament to the medical care in the Mid-South which helped save Pierce's life. Before Mangiante came to the VA Medical Center, he spent 20 years at the Med. He said Pierce is in a good place.

"He's in the Med's trauma unit," he said. "I know all the staff over there, doctors and nurses, and these are superb people. They are used to taking care of penetrating injuries, which this is."

"You're talking about extremely fast moving debris, fragmentation, things like that, whatever the containment was," said Stuart Lowrey, ATF special agent.

Pierce underwent several surgeries to remove shrapnel from his neck and abdomen.

"It's not just the shrapnel itself, it's the concussive effect and how close it gets to vital structures as it goes through the body, especially larger pieces can actually destroy and tear tissue en route," said Mangiante.

Mangiante said from his experience with veterans who suffer similar injuries, Pierce is looking at a long road to recovery.

Mangiante said rehab will take some time and the doctor will probably suffer from significant pain as a result of his injuries. But, he's confident doctors at the Med will be able to do the best job possible with Pierce's recovery.