Medical Professionals Honored at 28th Annual Shock Trauma Gala

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--  The heroes were honored Saturday night at the 28th annual Shock Trauma Gala in downtown Baltimore.

Maryland's elite trauma care heroes were celebrated.

"Never ever say enough thank you's, they saved my life, its why I am here today," said Doug Wetzel, former Shock Trauma patient.

Shock Trauma patients shared their stories and thanked the extraordinary medical teams that went above and beyond to save them.

"There's no way I thought I would be where I am right now, its an amazing hospital," Thomas Scanlon said.

The 28th annual gala recognized the impressive work of first responders, nurses, doctors and specialists who make the difference between life and death for their patients.

"They need to be celebrated everyday, this is their job and they get no, they don't get nearly enough recognition," Wetzel said.

"Finest trauma system in the world and if you are unfortunate to get in an accident and have a trauma then you are lucky to be in Maryland because we save 96 percent of the people that come to Shock Trauma," said Francis Kelly, Shock Trauma board chairman.

"What they do is amazing and selfless, and incredible and to get to thank them personally is something I'm very honored to do," Scanlon said.

The medical heroes are also grateful to see their patients.

"This is the paycheck to me is to see what people, how they are outside the hospital, how they progress after they are sick and pretty much dying to now living a full life," said Jeff Broski, a Shock Trauma registered nurse.

Funds raised at the gala will benefit the center for injury prevention and policy at Shock Trauma.

Follow @CBSBaltimore on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook