Mega Doctor News
By Roberto Hugo González
On this occasion, the City of Mission hosted a recognition ceremony during a City Council meeting to honor two local first responders for their exceptional life-saving efforts, as recognized by DHR Health (Doctors Hospital at Renaissance).
The event was held to formally acknowledge and celebrate a remarkable emergency medical response by the Mission EMS and Fire Department. Two paramedics’ life-saving actions, through their quick decision-making, advanced field triage, and coordination with a pioneering trauma protocol, saved a critically injured trauma patient.
Their intervention enabled the first successful use of a newly implemented direct-to-operating-room (DTOR) trauma care pathway at DHR Health. This program allows critically injured patients to bypass the emergency department and go straight into surgery — a practice introduced in South Texas, south of Houston. The Mission EMS team became the first to bring a trauma patient directly into the DTOR system, marking a historic milestone for regional emergency care.
Two individuals were specifically recognized: Paramedic Oscar Lopez and Paramedic Pilar Garcia. They were publicly called forward and presented with awards by DHR Health and tokens of appreciation, including gift bags and Yeti products. These gestures were symbols of gratitude for their exemplary performance during a high-stakes medical emergency.
The awards were given in recognition of their ability to accurately assess the severity of the patient’s injuries on scene, activate the new DTOR protocol, and provide immediate transport within the critical “Golden Hour,” during which multiple life-saving interventions were performed. Their actions directly contributed to the patient’s survival and recovery.
DHR Health officials presented the awards and commendations. Daniel Tuttle, Director of EMS at DHR Health, expressed his appreciation for the responders’ clinical judgment and impact on patient outcomes. Dr. Ryan Shine, a trauma surgeon at DHR Health, emphasized the significance of the new DTOR program and detailed how the paramedics’ actions ensured its successful first use. He highlighted the severity of the trauma, the urgency required, and the positive outcome achieved thanks to the responders’ professionalism.
DHR Health also recognized the Mission Fire Department for its ongoing commitment and dedication to emergency response in the community.
Chief Mike E. Silva of the Mission Fire Department thanked DHR Health, city leadership, and the department’s personnel, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the shared responsibility in saving lives. Oscar Lopez and Pilar Garcia expressed gratitude for the recognition and the opportunity to serve the community. Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza, city commissioners, and the city manager were present. They joined in a commemorative photo with the award recipients to show their support and appreciation.
The ceremony recognized exceptional professional conduct by Mission EMS personnel, promoted inter-agency collaboration between the City of Mission and DHR Health, highlighted a major milestone in regional emergency medical services, and reinforced community trust in public safety institutions.
The event not only honored two outstanding individuals but also underscored the success of an innovative trauma care model that has the potential to save many more lives in the future. It showcased the effectiveness of partnerships between healthcare providers and first responders in delivering timely, life-saving care to the community.
