The Science & Medicine initiative at UT Health San Antonio is home to TRC4, a collaborative effort that works alongside the Department of Defense and the entire UT System to improve trauma care both on the battlefield and at home. Traumatic injuries are a leading cause of death among individuals aged one through 45 years, and rank as the third leading cause of death across all age groups in the U.S.
Dr. James Bynum, who serves as the vice chair of research for the Department of Surgery at UT Health San Antonio and the executive director of TRC4, is passionate about this work. He highlights the urgent need for cutting-edge research to improve the care, survival rate, and quality of life for trauma injuries like traumatic brain injuries and burns.
TRC4’s focus is on developing better treatment and resuscitation strategies, skin substitutes for wound healing, and addressing the long-lasting mental effects of major trauma, particularly in the civilian sector. San Antonio’s reputation as a hub for health research for the military makes it an ideal setting for these initiatives. Bynum sees this work as a significant opportunity to make a positive impact, considering his over 20 years of experience as a Department of Defense researcher. He views TRC4’s mission as noble and meaningful, serving those who risk their lives to protect our country’s freedom.