Why Choose Ryder Trauma Center
Our doctors, nurses, and staff excel in providing world-renowned treatment for adults and children in South Florida.
We’re also the nation’s only surgical training facility for the U.S. Army.
5,500
Patients treated per year at Ryder Trauma
25+
Years we’ve been saving lives in Miami-Dade County
Level I
Trauma center verification by the ACS Committee on Trauma in Miami-Dade County
What We Do
Jackson is synonymous with providing unmatched trauma care. The standards and the expectations for trauma care at Jackson are exceptionally high for clinical quality, patient safety, and service excellence.
Since 1992, Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial has saved thousands of lives every year, making it one of the busiest trauma centers in South Florida. It is a world-renowned adult and pediatric Level I trauma center located in Miami-Dade County.
In addition, as of 2016 we’ve helped save even more lives at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South, a full-service, Level II trauma center, which also benefits from unlimited access to the invaluable resources of Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial.
We provide the following services to trauma victims:
Advanced trauma care is also provided to a large number of international patients transferred from the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. Ryder Trauma features extensive research and education facilities, and serves as the only Army Forward Surgical Team Training facility in the United States, preparing military healthcare personnel to provide care to those injured on the battlefield.
From resuscitation to rehabilitation, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care to the entire community. The specialized training, experience, and skills of our surgeons, physicians, nurses, and staff are responsible for saving lives and hastening patient recoveries at every stage of the process.
What We Do
Jackson is synonymous with providing unmatched trauma care. The standards and the expectations for trauma care at Jackson are exceptionally high for clinical quality, patient safety, and service excellence.
Since 1992, Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial has saved thousands of lives every year, making it one of the busiest trauma centers in South Florida. It is a world-renowned adult and pediatric Level I trauma center located in Miami-Dade County.
In addition, as of 2016 we’ve helped save even more lives at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South, a full-service, Level II trauma center, which also benefits from unlimited access to the invaluable resources of Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial.
We provide the following services to trauma victims:
Advanced trauma care is also provided to a large number of international patients transferred from the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. Ryder Trauma features extensive research and education facilities, and serves as the only Army Forward Surgical Team Training facility in the United States, preparing military healthcare personnel to provide care to those injured on the battlefield.
From resuscitation to rehabilitation, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care to the entire community. The specialized training, experience, and skills of our surgeons, physicians, nurses, and staff are responsible for saving lives and hastening patient recoveries at every stage of the process.
Pioneers
Ryder Trauma has long been a key driver in developing new techniques for treating – and even preventing – traumatic injury.
For example, the William Lehman Injury Research Center at Ryder Trauma Center is studying the relationship between the types of injuries suffered by drivers and passengers in motor vehicle crashes and how cars and trucks are built and driven. Eventually, the data being collected may lead to better guidelines for what first providers and emergency room doctors nationwide should do when they examine a crash victim.
Ryder Trauma at Jackson Memorial also houses the Miami Burn Center, one of the leading burn treatment facilities in the nation. Hundreds of burn victims—adults and children—are treated annually as inpatients, and are also followed through outpatient care for as long as needed.
In addition to the world-class care provided at Ryder Trauma, the facility is also a leader in research and education. Surgical and medical teams from throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia have visited the trauma center to study how Ryder Trauma’s top caregivers provide advanced trauma care to all of their patients.
With two locations, Ryder Trauma is the centerpiece of Miami-Dade County’s trauma care system – a proven leader with years of experience and successes.
Pioneers
Ryder Trauma has long been a key driver in developing new techniques for treating – and even preventing – traumatic injury.
For example, the William Lehman Injury Research Center at Ryder Trauma Center is studying the relationship between the types of injuries suffered by drivers and passengers in motor vehicle crashes and how cars and trucks are built and driven. Eventually, the data being collected may lead to better guidelines for what first providers and emergency room doctors nationwide should do when they examine a crash victim.
Ryder Trauma at Jackson Memorial also houses the Miami Burn Center, one of the leading burn treatment facilities in the nation. Hundreds of burn victims—adults and children—are treated annually as inpatients, and are also followed through outpatient care for as long as needed.
In addition to the world-class care provided at Ryder Trauma, the facility is also a leader in research and education. Surgical and medical teams from throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia have visited the trauma center to study how Ryder Trauma’s top caregivers provide advanced trauma care to all of their patients.
With two locations, Ryder Trauma is the centerpiece of Miami-Dade County’s trauma care system – a proven leader with years of experience and successes.
Our History
It all started on June 25, 1918 when the new Miami City Hospital (now Jackson Memorial Hospital) opened its doors and began providing trauma care to the community.
1918
1933
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1987
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1991
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1992
1994
2001
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2008
2010
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2012
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2014
2016
2016
2017
The New Miami City Hospital Opens
Currently known as the Alamo Building, the new Miami City Hospital opened its door on June 25, 1918. Today, the historic building stands in the heart of the sprawling Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
An Assassination Attempt On Frankling D. Roosevelt
Shortly before arriving at Jackson Memorial Hospital, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made an address at a political rally in Bayfront Park. As he prepared to leave, he called his friend, Mayor Anton Cermack of Chicago, to his sedan for a friendly chat. And in that moment, a deranged man, Guiseppe Zangara, fired several bullets, missing the president but striking Mayor Cermack and four others. Mayor Cermack was rushed to surgery, and subsequently hospitalized at Jackson Memorial. President Roosevelt stayed by his friend’s side for the night. However, despite tremendous efforts by the hospital staff, Mayor Cermak died 30 days later.
Trauma Level I Established
An eight-hospital trauma network was created in Miami-Dade County with Jackson Memorial designated as a Level I trauma center.
Six Hospitals Drop Out Of The Trauma Network
Six hospitals dropped out of the trauma network, leaving Jackson Memorial Hospital with all of the adult patients and more than 90 percent of the pediatric patients in the County.
Jackson Health Foundation
The construction of a self-contained trauma center was the first commitment made by the newly created, private, not-for-profit Jackson Memorial Foundation, now known as Jackson Health Foundation. Among their initiatives was the grassroots “Bricks for Trauma” campaign, which asked citizens to “pave the road to recovery.”
Miami-Dade County Voters Approve Sales Tax
Miami-Dade County voters approved an extra half-penny sales tax to support Jackson Memorial Hospital. Trauma care was targeted as one of three primary needs.
Ryder System’s Ryder Charitable Foundation
Ryder System’s Ryder Charitable Foundation provided a $2.5 million naming gift to Jackson Health Foundation in support of Ryder Trauma Center.
Grand Opening
On August 3, 1992, Ryder Trauma Center opened just weeks before Hurricane Andrew devastated South Miami-Dade County. Ryder Trauma—the designated South Florida facility to treat the President of the United States, if necessary—has a rooftop helipad that can withstand the weight of a 20,000-pound Blackhawk helicopter. The helipad’s capability played a critical role after Hurricane Andrew since those who were critically injured were airlifted to Jackson on board Blackhawks.
U.S. Congressman Writes Law
On October 28, 1994, the William Lehman Injury Research Center in Ryder Trauma was officially dedicated with special guests, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Federico Peña and retired U.S. Rep. William Lehman (D-Florida). Rep. Lehman created legislation that enabled the Department of Transportation to support the center’s research.
U.S. Army Selects Ryder Trauma To Train Surgical Teams
In October 2001, the U.S. Army selected Ryder Trauma as its only national Army Trauma Training Center in order to enhance the clinical skills and experience of its Forward Surgical Teams before being deployed for combat.
Designated As Primary Responder
Jackson Health System was designated as the primary responder in case of a disaster, bioterrorist attack, or public health emergency in Miami-Dade County. Ryder Trauma was one of the four main components for emergency preparedness.
Miami Burn Center Receives Notice Of Successful Verification By The ABA
In March, after completing the rigorous process set forth by the American Burn Association and American College of Surgeons, the Miami Burn Center received notice of successful verification by the ABA.
Haiti Relief
Just 12 hours after an earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010, Project Medishare, an organization founded and led by University of Miami/Jackson physicians Dr. Barth Green and Dr. Arthur Fournier, had mobilized the first medical team on the ground. They immediately began delivering emergency medical care to the injured in a field hospital at the airport in Port-au-Prince. Over the following weeks and months, dozens of doctors, nurses and physical therapists used their own time off to travel to Haiti to help with the relief efforts. The difference they made was remarkable. At the same time, our medical professionals here in Miami were also impacting the lives of earthquake survivors. Just days after the quake, Jackson began receiving critically injured survivors who had been flown to the states for medical care. In all, Jackson treated 205 earthquake survivors—all of whom survived.
Teletrauma Networks Awarded NAPH Safety Net Award
Jackson was awarded the 2010 NAPH Safety Net Award by the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems for “Emergency Preparedness.
Ryder Trauma Center Celebrates 20 Years Of Saving Lives
On August 3, 2012, Ryder Trauma Center celebrated its 20th anniversary. At that point, records showed that the lives of nearly 75,000 critically injured people have been saved because of the efforts of the outstanding medical team at Ryder Trauma Center.
Miami-Dade County Approves A Helipad At Jackson South Medical Center
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an application for a helipad at Jackson South Medical Center, moving the hospital closer to readiness for being a part of Jackson Health System’s expansion of its world-renowned trauma service.
Ryder Trauma Center Fortification Project
Ryder Trauma Center began a fortification project that involved hardening of the exterior of the building with funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management System. The new structure was designed to withstand a Category 4 hurricane.
Major Upgrade to Miami Burn Center Rehabilitation
In October 2016, Florida Power and Light (FPL) donated $500,000 to Jackson Health System and the Jackson Health Foundation to renovate and upgrade the rehabilitation therapy unit at the center. The FPL Power to Care Burn Rehabilitation Therapy Unit now features new parallel bars, trampolines, and exercise equipment that are used to help patients with their treatment and recovery.
Jackson South Level II Trauma Center Opens
Jackson South Medical Center opened its Level II trauma center. The center began operating as a full-service, around-the-clock trauma center. But unlike other Level II trauma centers, it has immediate access to the leading-edge resources of Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial.
Ryder Trauma Center Celebrates 25 Years Of Saving Lives In Miami-Dade County
Ryder Trauma Center celebrated 25 years of saving lives at Jackson Memorial. After 25 years of experience, records show that the lives of nearly 95,000 critically injured people have been saved at Ryder Trauma.
Miracle Trauma Stories
Founding Benefactor Of Ryder Trauma Center
In 1991, the Ryder System Charitable Foundation became the founding benefactor of Ryder Trauma Center when it provided a $2.5 million naming gift to fill a critical community need by building a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center in Miami-Dade County. The campaign for Ryder Trauma was the start of Jackson Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Jackson Health System.
From that point forward, Jackson and Ryder System began their journey of strengthening the culture of philanthropy for the betterment of the patients and families who depend on the health system.
In 2019, Ryder System recommitted its philanthropic support of Jackson Health System with a new gift of $1 million to name the Level II Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South. Since opening its doors, Ryder Trauma at Jackson South has treated more than thousands of patients with life-threatening injuries after motor-vehicle crashes, burns, falls, accidents, gunshot wounds, and more.
Throughout the years, Ryder System has demonstrated great social responsibility and community involvement. They have a long legacy of building stronger communities by contributing services, dollars, volunteers, and expertise to those who need it most.
Ryder Trauma Center commends Ryder System for their ongoing support. Learn more about the Ryder Charitable Foundation here.
Founding Benefactor Of Ryder Trauma Center
In 1991, the Ryder System Charitable Foundation became the founding benefactor of Ryder Trauma Center when it provided a $2.5 million naming gift to fill a critical community need by building a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center in Miami-Dade County. The campaign for Ryder Trauma was the start of Jackson Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Jackson Health System.
From that point forward, Jackson and Ryder System began their journey of strengthening the culture of philanthropy for the betterment of the patients and families who depend on the health system.
In 2019, Ryder System recommitted its philanthropic support of Jackson Health System with a new gift of $1 million to name the Level II Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South. Since opening its doors, Ryder Trauma at Jackson South has treated more than thousands of patients with life-threatening injuries after motor-vehicle crashes, burns, falls, accidents, gunshot wounds, and more.
Throughout the years, Ryder System has demonstrated great social responsibility and community involvement. They have a long legacy of building stronger communities by contributing services, dollars, volunteers, and expertise to those who need it most.
Ryder Trauma Center commends Ryder System for their ongoing support. Learn more about the Ryder Charitable Foundation here.