On November 13, 2006, a car driven by 15-year-old Hannah Holtkamp was broadsided by a semi-trailer. Hannah was taken to the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant where it was quickly determined that AirCare, the air transport helicopter from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, should move her to UI Children's Hospital.

"We are so grateful we are in an area where Hannah could be flown to Iowa City and it only took 20 minutes. It was so critical for her survival," said Jackie Holtkamp, Hannah's mother.

Hannah was stabilized by her UI Children's Hospital health care team. "The staff is very knowledgeable. I was in the hospital day and night for almost as long as Hannah, and they would just sit and talk to us answering our questions and trying to be there as a comfort level," Jackie said.

Hannah's injuries included a broken back, collar bone, and ribs, two collapsed lungs, and internal bleeding. Doctors removed one of Hannah's kidneys, her spleen and gall bladder. She had four plates and 21 screws placed in her skull.

Jackie said: "There were a lot of doctors and nurses working that night to save Hannah's life. Without them, she wouldn't be here. We really appreciate what they did."

Hannah spent 17 days in the intensive care unit and was placed on a ventilator. She has undergone nine surgeries and received 68 units of blood. After her time at UI Children's Hospital, Hannah spent an additional 10 days in rehab.

"It was a slow recovery, with many setbacks. But the doctors told us that would happen," Jackie said. "We are so thankful for the help of her nurses and staff, for God's help, and especially for Hannah's will to survive."

Now 16, Hannah will be a junior at New London High School this fall. She will participate in volleyball, golf and show choir. "Her favorite sport is volleyball. She goes to every practice and participates when she can. She can't wait to be able to be out on the floor fully participating," Jackie said. "After all of this, she has decided to go into nursing."

UI Children's Hospital serves children and their families at its main campus in Iowa City and satellite clinics in communities throughout Iowa. A 165-bed "hospital within a hospital," UI Children's Hospital benefits from the sophisticated services and comprehensive resources of UI Hospitals and Clinics. Child magazine ranks UI Children's Hospital among the top 20 children's hospitals in the nation.

For more information:

UI Children's Hospital

AirCare