Level 1 trauma centers treat any injury caused by an external force, from auto collisions to gunshot wounds. Stanford is the only Level 1 Trauma Center for southern San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties – and one of the few in the country to receive a flawless report from the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma.

Over the past three years, we have seen a 400 percent increase in transfers to Stanford of the most complex trauma and critical care cases, attributable to our growing reputation, outreach efforts, and Life Flight helicopter transport program.

In addition, we run an exemplary quality improvement program that in conjunction with research efforts is yielding important advances in trauma and critical care. Among those advances are unique prevention efforts to reduce infection, better predict post-traumatic stress disorder, and reduce gang violence.