Section of Burns

The Burn Center is the cornerstone of Loyola’s Department of Surgery Section of Burns. The Burn Center encompasses a full-time, multi-disciplinary, specialty-prepared burn care staff. Under the leadership of Burn Center Director Dr. Richard Gamelli, the Loyola center treats over 400 patients a year, making it the busiest burn center in metropolitan Chicago and the Midwest.

Two significant initiatives add to the stature of Loyola as a center of excellence suited for training health care providers in the clinical care of burn patients. First, Loyola has been awarded burn center verification by the American Burn Association/American College of Surgeons. Meeting the rigorous standards for staff expertise and clinical care of patients established by these two national associations distinguishes Loyola in the management of burned patients. Loyola is the first burn center in the Midwest to receive this distinction. Secondly, under the auspices of the Burn and Shock Trauma Institute, an active program of basic science and clinical research addresses problems fundamental to burn care. This research involves problems such as the ventilatory management of inhalation burns, the efficacy of biotechnology products for hemostasis and wound healing, and the cellular and molecular processes involved in sepsis and wound healing. Department of Surgery residents are eligible to take a research rotation in the Burn and Shock Trauma Institute. Institute investigators will assist eligible residents to prepare research proposals for available competitive funding.

In Fall 1996, a completely new Burn Center was opened in space that occupies the entire seventh floor of the hospital. This state-of-the-art Burn Center includes 21 ICU and step-down beds, plus 17 general beds for trauma and burn patients. Hydrotherapy, surgical, and rehabilitative services are provided within the Burn Center. The burn outpatient clinic is located on the same floor, adjacent to the inpatient area. This arrangement facilitates dressing changes, rehabilitation assessment, and patient education using the Burn Center facilities.