Roger Hayward: A Team Effort to Defeat Traumatic Injury

“I’m thankful for my surgeons and everyone at the hospital, and everyone who supported me. They don’t know what it means to me.”

For Michigan Center student athlete Roger Hayward, being part of a team was a way of life. Basketball, football, baseball, Roger played them all.

“Sports have been a big part of my life since I was five,” Roger said.

But on the afternoon of December 6, 2018, sports were the last thing on his mind. A horrific car crash left Roger in critical condition and in urgent need of immediate medical intervention. Trauma surgeons, specialists and nurses were ready for Roger as soon as he was transported to the Henry Ford Jackson Hospital Emergency Department. Although he wasn’t aware of it at the time, Roger became the MVP of a new team—one dedicated to saving his life. His multiple injuries included a ruptured aorta (the heart’s main artery) and a tear in his superior vena cava (one of the body’s major veins), which required Roger to have multiple blood transfusions due to extensive internal bleeding. He also had a collapsed lung, a broken collar bone, four broken ribs and a ruptured spleen.

Thoracic surgeon Mohan Kulkarni, MD, was part of Roger’s trauma team the day of his accident. Dr. Kulkarni said, “From surgeons retracting to anesthesiologists who did a remarkable job keeping up with Roger’s blood loss, Roger was surrounded by doctors and support staff wanting to help. The whole team worked together to get Roger’s condition stable and under control.”

Once the trauma team was confident Roger was stable, another team of specialists went to work to address his other injuries. “It’s an honor to be part of this highly functioning team,” said Dr. Kulkarni. “They’re really good, but they’re not happy with that. They want to continue to improve.”

Dr. Kulkarni said that the trauma team ensures the hospital has the services, equipment, talent and expertise it needs to be prepared for patients with traumatic injuries like Roger’s. “Because we want to be the first responders for our community,” he said.

Once Roger was in his hospital room, responsibility for his care was handed over to another dedicated team. Dr. Kulkarni explained that it is standard practice for a team to round from room to room at the patient’s bedside, including the surgeon, a case worker or social worker, a nutritionist, a pharmacist, a nurse and a resident doctor. The patient’s family is welcome to hear everything and give input.

“The family is part of the healing team,” said Dr. Kulkarni. “It’s a comfort for the family to see such a great team interact for the sole purpose of making their loved one better.”

Choosing close-to-home care

Roger’s mother, Linda Hayward, chose to keep her son at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, rather than take him to an out of town hospital. “It was the way they treated Roger. I really, truly felt like the surgeons and doctors treated Roger like he was their own child,” she said.

“Sometimes at a big facility, you’re a number,” said Dr. Kulkarni. “Here, you’re a person. We always promise to people the best possible care close to home. Roger’s mom responded to how our team took care of her son.”

For Linda, it was not only important for Roger to have access to the best care, she also wanted Roger’s supporters to be close by too.

According to Linda, who was able to be with Roger every day, the waiting room was constantly full of Roger’s visitors. It was “like a revolving door” of students, extended family members and coaches. Linda was comforted by the community’s response.

Dr. Kulkarni said, “When I walked on the unit the next day, it looked like everyone in town was there. I had no idea of this special young man’s influence or ability to have friendships in the community that he moved so many people.”

Remembering the team

Given the compassion of his care team and Roger’s people skills, it’s no surprise Roger made meaningful connections while he was in the hospital. Memories of the days immediately following his accident are hazy for Roger, but he has a clear recollection of his new team.

Roger made a special bond with trauma team member Chris Fegley, PA, who made time to go on regular walks with Roger to help his mobility progress.

“Chris always communicated with me, like I was one of his friends,” Roger said. “He always made time to see me even though he must have had lots of things to do.”

“It was heartwarming to see the way Chris looked after my son like he did,” said Linda.

During his two-week hospitalization, perhaps for the first time since he was in little league, Roger didn’t think about his next game. Instead, he concentrated on listening to his care team and the process of getting better.

Along with the help of his specialists, surgeons and other care providers, Roger’s focused approached worked. “I’m thankful for my surgeons and everyone at the hospital, and everyone who supported me,” said Roger. “They don’t know what it means to me.”

Reflecting on Roger’s experience, Linda said, “Our journey was amazing. I couldn’t have asked for better care. Everybody was wonderful. They truly cared, not just for Roger, but for me too.”

Coming full circle

When he was released from the hospital and physical therapy, Roger’s body still needed more time to heal from his multiple injuries. Beyond his initial surgeries, Roger required other procedures, including an aortic graft stent to protect his heart’s main artery from rupturing again.

Months later, a more fully healed Roger crossed paths with Dr. Kulkarni again at a friend’s graduation party.

Dr. Kulkarni remembers it well: “Roger showed up and it became an event. He looked so different. He looked ten feet tall, like an athlete. He’s a very impressive young man, yet so humble in the way he relates to people. I was proud to be part of the team that took Roger from the point of his injury to where he was standing in front of me larger than life.”

Looking ahead

Roger’s senior year of high school took on a bright side when his vascular surgeon, Jordan Knepper, MD, cleared him to play basketball in 2020.

“That was the most amazing news I’d heard in a long time,” Roger said. “I never thought I’d be better so fast. I’m grateful to be here. This experience has made me appreciate what I have now.”

Beyond basketball, Roger can look forward to his high school graduation in June of 2020. Once he has his diploma, Roger has plans to pursue the education he’ll need in order to join another team—as a health care professional.

Roger said, “I’m thinking about becoming a nurse anesthetist. It fascinates me.”

Feeling relieved and excited, Linda is thrilled to focus on her son’s plans for the future.

“Roger’s outcome could have been so different,” said Linda. “I’m glad I trusted my heart and did what I thought was best for my son by choosing Henry Ford Jackson Hospital.”