The Jacksonville community always rallies around one another.
During the 16th annual A Night for Heroes gala, community members once again showed support for patient-centered care in northeast Florida and beyond. In total, A Night for Heroes raised more than $230,000 for UF Health Jacksonville and UF Health TraumaOne this year.
Now, UF Health Jacksonville is proud to announce the purchase of a Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) machine. The MARS machine will support UF Health TraumaOne, the only adult and pediatric Level I trauma program in northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.
“I am amazed to think about all of the people who are dedicated to fulfilling our mission,” said Russ Armistead, CEO at UF Health Jacksonville. “You represent our commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate patient care.”
The MARS machine performs liver dialysis, which helps detox the organ during failure. When the liver no longer functions, toxins such as bile and fatty acids build up. MARS therapy treats drug poisonings and other forms of potentially reversible acute liver injury, including heat stroke, ischemia and trauma. Plus, the equipment supports patients waiting for a liver transplant.
Not only is the MARS machine critical, but it’s also extremely rare. Before A Night for Heroes in February, the closest device of its kind was in Atlanta, Ga. Now, UF Health Jacksonville and UF Health TraumaOne are bringing this piece of life-saving technology to the region.
“UF Health TraumaOne is a significant part of what positions our enterprise as the region’s most valued health care asset,” Armistead said. “I’m so pleased to grow our program through the MARS machine.”