Trauma Care

Baptist Health is proud to announce that the Alabama Department of Public Health has designated Baptist Medical Center South as a Level I Trauma Center, the highest level of trauma care available in the State of Alabama.

This designation places Baptist Medical Center South among only four Level I Trauma Centers in Alabama and reflects years of strategic investment, physician leadership and clinical excellence. It also recognizes the unwavering dedication of our team members, who provide advanced, comprehensive trauma care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This is a defining moment for our organization and the communities we serve,” said Baptist Health President & CEO, Russell Tyner. “While this designation is new, the level of care it represents is something our teams have delivered to Central Alabama for a number of years. Today, that long-standing commitment is being formally recognized,” continued Tyner.

As the only Level I Trauma Center in Central Alabama, Baptist Medical Center South provides patients with immediate access to highly trained trauma surgeons, specialized physicians, advanced diagnostic capabilities, operating room readiness and multidisciplinary teams prepared to respond to the most severe and life-threatening injuries, including major vehicle accidents, falls and other critical emergencies.

“This achievement strengthens our ability to care for patients when every second matters,” said Director of Trauma, Dr. John Mark Vermillion. “When the unexpected happens, Central Alabama relies on Baptist Health for advanced trauma and emergency care and this ensures the most critically injured patients in our region can receive the highest level of care close to home,” continued Vermillion.

While the designation applies specifically to Baptist Medical Center South, its impact extends across the entire Baptist Health system, reflecting the strength of its physicians, nurses, EMS partners, support teams and leadership. It also underscores the confidence placed in Baptist Health by state regulators and healthcare leaders.

Every day, Baptist Health teams care for patients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. This designation affirms the organization’s longstanding commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care. As healthcare continues to evolve, this milestone further positions Baptist Health as the healthcare leader in Central Alabama and strengthens regional emergency response efforts and advanced care capabilities.