Nashville resident Owen Canavan recently visited a patient recovering in the Acute Care Trauma Stepdown Unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. As part of VUMC’s Trauma Peer Visitor program, Canavan is using his experience as a former trauma patient to support others. Photo by Erin O. Smith
Nashville resident Owen Canavan recently visited a patient recovering in the Acute Care Trauma Stepdown Unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital with whom he has a special connection.
Both Canavan and the young man had experienced significant, life-threatening gastrointestinal injuries.
Canavan has been visiting trauma patients hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) weekly to encourage and support them as they recover. His unique perspective as a former trauma patient makes these visits especially welcome.
In 2017, Canavan was working out at a fitness center when a car came crashing into the building and pinned him against a wall. Canavan was rushed to VUMC in critical condition. In the span of a week, he underwent eight surgeries to repair a shattered femur, ruptured spleen and extensive injuries to his pelvis and lower abdomen.
He was discharged to Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital but had several setbacks requiring rehospitalization, including internal bleeding and a blood clot that traveled to his lungs. Canavan went through more surgery in 2018 to repair a hernia and abdominal adhesions.
“The Trauma Survivors Network at Vanderbilt was one of the American Trauma Society’s inaugural programs of hospitals across the country, launching here more than 15 years ago.”
Every year since his accident, Canavan has brought lunch around the holidays to the VUMC Trauma Unit team to express his gratitude. And Owen and his parents — Beth Owen Canavan and Karl Burgess Canavan — made a charitable contribution to VUMC to establish the Owen Burgess Canavan Fellowship Fund. The gift supports the fellowship program in the Division of Acute Care Surgery.
Canavan wanted to do more. After completing required screening and training, in 2023 he became a part of VUMC’s Trauma Peer Visitor program.
This initiative supported by the Trauma Survivors Network of the American Trauma Society has existed at the Medical Center for more than a decade, but the pandemic halted the program, said Cathy Wilson, MSN, RN, trauma outreach educator and coordinator for the Division of Acute Care Surgery. Now it’s active again, thanks to the help of Canavan and other former patients and their families who want to give back.
VUMC is the only adult and pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in Middle Tennessee. Annually, more than 5,400 patients with acute (life-threatening) trauma from Tennessee and from surrounding areas across the Southeast are treated here.
“The Trauma Survivors Network at Vanderbilt was one of the American Trauma Society’s inaugural programs of hospitals across the country, launching here more than 15 years ago,” Wilson said. “Since that time, former trauma patient volunteers, known as peer visitors, have made hundreds of support visits to trauma patients and families in our hospital to help connect and rebuild lives while serving as positive role models.”
Canavan sometimes only sees an individual once before discharge to a rehabilitation facility or home to continue healing, but he was able to visit with the young man with GI injuries for several weeks. He brought him some of his favorite food, answered questions and kept him company.
Due to his injuries, the patient, who is in his 20s, had ostomy surgery to divert waste to an external pouch. This can sometimes be reversed after the body heals. Canavan experienced this, so he could share about that process.
“I definitely appreciate someone going out of their way to come in to see me and motivate me,” said the patient, who did not wish to be identified. “It’s been nice that we can both relate to each other, and just seeing living proof that he’s gone through this gives me more of a sense of hope.”
Canavan said the time spent with patients has a “symbiotic” effect, as he has experienced healing along with those he visits. When he initially returned to the VUMC before becoming a volunteer, he would tear up as the elevator drew closer to the Acute Care Unit. Going back to the space where he progressed from near death to healing had an intense emotional impact.
“I’m getting a whole lot out of it, and I’m proud to be involved with Vanderbilt University Medical Center in any way I can,” he said. “I will continue to focus on my volunteer efforts and helping build the peer program.”
Wilson hopes to continue growing the Trauma Peer Visitor program and welcomes former patients to apply and complete the screening process to join Canavan and others.
“Our peer visitors are as much a part of our trauma team as hospital staff,” Wilson said. “They are an integral part of our patients’ journeys to recovery, and we are thankful for those who serve in this role.”
“I’m going to keep bugging you every week,” Canavan joked with the patient. “We’re going to stay connected during and after your recovery.”
