Cody, Wyo. (June 9, 2026) Cody Regional Health is proud to announce it has officially been
designated as an Area Trauma Center by the Wyoming Department of Health, becoming the
highest designated trauma facility serving Northwest Wyoming Region 5, which encompasses
Park, Big Horn, Hot Springs and Washakie counties.. The designation represents a significant
milestone in Cody Regional Health’s ongoing commitment to providing advanced emergency
and trauma care close to home.
For patients and families, this means greater access to advanced trauma care during some of
life’s most critical moments.
“When a serious injury occurs, timely access to expert care is critical,” said Hannah McRae,
CEO of Cody Regional Health. “This designation reflects our ongoing commitment to providing
residents throughout the Big Horn Basin with access to advanced trauma care close to home,
supported by highly skilled clinical teams available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Achieving this milestone is the result of years of strategic investment, collaboration, and
dedication across our organization to enhance emergency and trauma services and better serve
the communities that rely on us.”
“Trauma care begins long before a patient arrives at the hospital,” said Phillip Franklin, EMS
Director at Cody Regional Health. “This designation strengthens coordination between EMS
agencies, first responders, and healthcare teams throughout Region 5. It helps ensure patients
receive the right care at the right time while creating a more connected trauma system for the
communities we serve.”
Trauma centers play a vital role in treating patients who experience serious injuries resulting
from motor vehicle crashes, agricultural and ranching accidents, recreational injuries, falls, and
other emergency situations. Achieving Area Trauma Center designation requires hospitals to
meet rigorous standards related to staffing, training, equipment, quality improvement, and
emergency response capabilities.
Cody Regional Health’s designation is supported by numerous specialized resources, including:
24/7 Emergency Department Physicians
24/7 Physician & CRNA supported Anesthesia services
24/7 Orthopedic surgery coverage
24/7 General Surgery coverage
Dedicated trauma program leadership
Highly trained emergency, surgical, and nursing teams
Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Transport Services
Together, these resources allow Cody Regional Health to provide immediate access to
specialized trauma care 24 hours a day, seven days a week for patients throughout Region 5.
As the Region 5 Area Trauma Center, Cody Regional Health will serve as a regional resource
for trauma education, training, care coordination, and quality improvement initiatives. Working
closely with hospitals, EMS agencies, first responders, and healthcare partners throughout the
region, Cody Regional Health will help strengthen trauma systems, support best practices, and
ensure patients receive timely access to the appropriate level of care. This collaborative
approach also helps patients transition back to their local healthcare providers and communities
as safely and efficiently as possible during recovery.
“Trauma care is much more than what happens in the Emergency Department,” said Casey
Zeigler, Trauma Coordinator at Cody Regional Health. “It requires coordination between EMS,
emergency medicine, surgery, anesthesia, orthopedic care, nursing, rehabilitation, and many
other departments. This designation demonstrates the strength of our trauma system and our
teams commitment to providing rapid, high-quality care when our patients need us most.”
“Achieving Area Trauma Center designation reflects years of investment in people, training, and
resources,” said Dr. Thomas H. Etter, Trauma Medical Director at Cody Regional Health. "From
emergency physicians and surgeons to anesthesiologists, orthopedic specialists, nurses,
therapists, and EMS personnel, trauma care is truly a team effort. This designation
demonstrates our commitment to providing advanced, evidence-based care close to home so
patients can receive the treatment they need while remaining connected to their families and
communities whenever possible."
The designation further strengthens Cody Regional Health’s role as a regional healthcare leader
and reinforces its mission to provide advanced medical services close to home.
For residents across Region 5, the achievement means greater confidence knowing that
advanced trauma care is available locally when unexpected emergencies occur.
