Kevin’s Story: A Full Circle Celebration

On December 16, 2023, Kevin Pleiman was burning material from a bridge that he planned to replace on his property. Suddenly, an explosion covered him in fire, and he dropped to the ground to put it out. His nephew, who happened to be on the property hunting, called 911 and Kevin’s wife, Shelly. Houston Rescue Squad responded, began treating Kevin, and called CareFlight to transport him to Miami Valley Hospital’s Level I Trauma and Burn Center.

Trauma surgeon Mbaga Walusimbi, MD, was the attending surgeon when Kevin arrived. After stabilizing Kevin, he called in the burn team and burn surgeon R. Michael Johnson, MD. Kevin had burns over 70 percent of his body. During the course of his treatment, he underwent physical therapy and more than 15 surgeries. Ninety-eight days after arriving at the Trauma and Burn Center, he returned home. He spent Christmas in the hospital, but Shelly and their five sons kept the tree up so they could celebrate together when he was back home, which was on Easter weekend. Says Shelly, “We decided to do a full circle celebration. We celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and also his resurrection…. If it wasn’t for the care that we received at Miami Valley our lives would be a lot different.”  

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