extremely important since patients have
specific calorie demands. Chaplains
and psychologists are also needed to
provide emotional support for possible
disfigurement and pain.” Every member
of the team plays a vital role in the care,
recovery and outcome of each patient.
Burns can come in many forms, and the
burn spectrum ranges from the easily
treatable to the severe. Many people
never expect to visit the Burn Center,
including Richard Malmgren. Upon
returning home one day after work,
Richard decided to make stovetop
popcorn for him and his wife, Judie.
While the oil was heating in the pan,
Richard walked away for a moment.
When he returned, part of the kitchen
was on fire. The oil had sparked
and quickly ignited the varnished
cabinets above.
been without Straub. Unless I pointed
out my scars to someone, they would be
unable to tell I was burned. I simply can’t
provide enough praise to the folks
at Straub.”
Richard
Malmgren
Marcus’ and Richard’s experiences hav-
en’t shaken their optimism, if anything,
it’s increased their gratitude. “With every
day that goes by, I get stronger and
better. That’s why I’m a walking miracle!”
Marcus said. “It's been 10 months since
the accident and it feels like yesterday. I
just feel so blessed to be alive and share
my life to impact others around me.”
The Straub Burn
Unit Team
“So many things were rushing through
my mind. I thought about getting a
garden hose and all I knew was I didn’t
want the fire to reach the attic, so
I grabbed the pan with my hand
and threw it outside to remove the
fire source.”
Richard’s quick thinking saved the house
but left him with severe hot oil burns
on his right hand and arm. He called
911, and the next thing he remembers is
waking up at the Straub Burn Center.
The burn team opted for surgery and
grafted skin from Richard’s thigh to his
hand. “There are a lot of things I can
joke about now because my hand is not
painful today,” Richard says. “Hawai‘i is
very fortunate to have this resource.
I have a hard time imagining how dras-
tically different my outcome could have
BU R N
CE NTE R
FU ND
Donations have been key to keeping the Straub
Burn Center running. “Much of this quality of care
would not have been possible without the generous
contributions from organizations like the Honolulu
Firefighters Foundation,” Dr. Schulz said. Community
donations to the Burn Center have purchased a new burn tub, upgraded
facilities, paid for specialized beds and enhanced patient comfort with
a multimedia entertainment system. Community contributions are also
providing advanced burn life-support classes for first responders, nurses,
emergency room physicians and personnel involved in transferring
patients to the Burn Center. Gifts allowed the center to expand care
from the tub room and offer daily washes with shower gurneys that can
be sterilized more efficiently and provide more comfort to patients.
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