Valued Voice

In celebration of the National Trauma Awareness Month of May, Gov. Tony Evers has issued a proclamation recognizing trauma centers and their staff for their essential service of providing high-quality and timely medical and recovery care for all those who are traumatically injured.

With injury being the leading cause of death in Wisconsinites aged 1-44 years old, continued efforts around injury prevention, access to care and rehabilitation are essential. 

In Wisconsin, 102 hospitals have pursued certification through Wisconsin’s trauma designation program; 9% are verified level I or II trauma centers with the remaining 64% of hospitals classified as level III or IV trauma centers.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services notes, “We join the American Trauma Society in encouraging everyone to ‘Stay Focused. Stay Safe.’ Through simple daily actions, we can reduce risk, build safer routines, and strengthen a shared culture of injury prevention. Together, we can keep our communities safer and support a future where preventable injuries are far less common.”

Read the full text of the 2026 proclamation.