After a traumatic boating accident, Gabriela Curiel was airlifted to the Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Hospital Trauma Center for lifesaving surgery.
After a year of hard work, Gabriela Curiel headed to Lake Berryessa in Napa County, California, for a boating excursion hosted by her company, a San Francisco nonprofit.
It was a bright, sunny day, and she was enjoying her time on the boat with colleagues. She was 4 months pregnant at the time so decided not to swim until a co-worker convinced her to hop off the back of the boat and into the water.
The day quickly turned into one of the hardest of Curiel’s life. While she was in the water, the boat propeller began to drag her toward it. She suddenly felt something hit her legs. The propeller had severely lacerated the upper and lower parts of each thigh.
“My co-workers pulled me back onto the boat, and I remember looking down at my legs and the only thing I could see was blood,” Curiel said.
Luckily, an emergency boat happened to be nearby. She was rushed to shore and a California Highway Patrol helicopter then airlifted her to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Hospital Trauma Center.
The emergency room trauma team in Vacaville acted immediately, administering a massive blood transfusion.
“If they hadn’t acted so quickly, my life may not have been saved,” Curiel said.
Everything happened so fast, she said. Curiel remembers saying to the nurses, “I’m pregnant, please help my baby.”
She also remembers that “a nurse kindly put her hands on both sides of my face and just looked at me and said, ‘Don’t worry. You are going to be OK.”’
Curiel was then rushed to the operating room.
The initial surgery required 2 Kaiser Permanente vascular surgeons and a trauma surgeon.
“That first surgery went for 10 hours,” said Michael Levine, MD, vascular surgeon. “We had the whole trauma team working. At first, we weren’t sure if we could save her legs.”
Three bypasses were done in that initial surgery, in which major veins and arteries were repaired and reconnected. A few days later Curiel was taken in for another 10-hour surgery. Over the course of 3 weeks, Curiel had 7 additional surgeries to close her wounds and repair muscles using muscle flaps, which successfully saved both her legs.
Initially, Curiel stayed at the Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center for a month. Her care team included multiple medical and surgical specialists, trauma nurses, wound care nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and a nutritionist.
Travis Gerlach, MD, medical director of the Vacaville Trauma Center, said, “Gabby is a beautiful example of the amazing things that can be achieved when the trauma team and the rest of the clinical care team’s treatment is orchestrated effectively.”
For Curiel, the most important thing was the safety of her baby who, through it all, was perfectly healthy. Although doctors were unsure if Curiel would be able to walk, they knew Curiel was a fighter.
After her surgery, Curiel had a long road ahead of her. She was discharged to Kaiser Permanente’s home health team after a month, which provided physical therapy and around-the-clock care for 3 months.
“My team was amazing. They took care of everything,” she said. “The nurses would tell me they were praying for me and that I was their miracle patient.”
Her care team had praise for Curiel as well.
“So much of her recovery was due to her determination,” said Dr. Levine. “She always exceeded our expectations. And she never complained about anything. It was unbelievable how she dealt with everything.”
After months of resilience and hard work, Curiel was able to walk normally again. Her baby girl, Leah, was born in November.
“I am so grateful for my life now,” Curiel said. “Everything I do, I try to feel the moment and enjoy it to the maximum. You never know what will happen next.”
A Kaiser Permanente doctor and researcher shares the simple changes you …
Tasha Champion shares how early testing by her oncologist at Kaiser Permanente …
A father's determination to stay healthy for his 3 children led him to …
A sharp increase in rates of adult caregiving is taking a mental and physical …
As a lifelong nonsmoker, Mariann Stephens was shocked to learn she had …
A Kaiser Permanente physician thought he pinched a nerve during a tennis …
Bettye Garrett’s personal doctor says her healthy perspective on life’s …
In August 2023, John Lynn collapsed at work. For the next year, he fought …
A lifelong educator seeks behavioral health care to manage repetitive worries, …
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
Miriam Gutierrez was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer at age 31. …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates doctors and nurse practitioners recognized …
Connecting through a shared heritage gives one therapist a unique perspective …
With the support of his health care team and nurse navigator, musician …
The new Pueblo North Medical Offices will replace the existing facility …
After a life-threatening series of heart attacks at age 57, Bunnell Fockler …
Donna Budway received prompt surgery followed by chemotherapy. She credits …
A basketball coach’s remarkable story of undergoing brain tumor surgery …
Support from a dedicated care team helps Tiffany Anonye breastfeed her …
A mother and daughter share a special bond after undergoing tonsillectomies …
Kaiser Permanente in San Diego helped plan a special send-off for Katie …
Ed Dalmasso needed an aortic valve replacement. His care team provided …
Harold Newman had advanced prostate cancer. Genetic testing helped expand …
5280 Magazine named 332 Kaiser Permanente physicians to its annual Top …
A Southern California program, powered by our connected care model, is …
When a newborn was diagnosed with meningitis, a life-threatening infection …
Delivering multiple babies is difficult, but Kaiser Permanente care teams …
Chris Hogan faced kidney cancer and prostate cancer at the same time. He …
A young father is enjoying “bonus time” with his kids thanks to new targeted …
Patients like Carol Pitman are living longer thanks to advances in lung …
Feeling emotional or overwhelmed after a new baby’s arrival? You’re not …
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
It’s easy to put off recommended health screenings, and sometimes even …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases colon cancer risk. Learn …
Virtual cardiac rehab helped Mike Kelly heal at home after a life-threatening …
A healthy life after cancer is possible. Learn how Kaiser Permanente helps …
Medical Financial Assistance program supports access to health care.
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
For Sam Beeson, having a midwife at her side during her pregnancy helped …
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab …
A new Kaiser Permanente facility in Bellflower, California, makes customized …
Early detection of the disease, before it becomes advanced, will increase …
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for most people starting …
Care teams at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center helped Phillip Crawford …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
Innovative surgical recovery program helps breast cancer patients safely …
Tookie Gentilcore returns to enjoying life thanks to a quick, safe method …
People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease.
Kaiser Permanente’s Patient Advisory Councils help us create exceptional …
Following a COVID-19-related hospital stay, Robert DeLeon took charge of …
Members experiencing a low risk pregnancy have the option of having their …
A new care option offers a mix of in-person and virtual visits, supported …
From diagnosis to recovery, David Parsons, MD, shares how screening, treatment …
Our Advanced Care at Home program provides high-quality, safe care in familiar …
A team of specialists treats an expecting mother’s cancer while keeping …
A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares tips on supporting your child …
Joy Short, a Kaiser Permanente member and employee, turned her breast cancer …
The prestigious Magnet® designation affirms the compassion, dedication, …
Fit and focused, an Oregon father and runner rebounds after an aortic valve …
For years, serious heart attacks meant hours of weekly appointments. Now, …
Members give video visits high marks — and with a few simple tips, you …
Our clinicians help patients get the care they need to move forward with …
Research and clinical trials play a vital role in advancing cancer treatment …
Kaiser Permanente is at the forefront of cervical cancer research. Find …
After a diagnosis for a rare type of blood cancer, Marla Marriott got high-qua …
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California 2022 Community Health Snapshot …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Fay Gordon's breast cancer was caught in the early stages thanks to genetic …
Tarayn Fairlie, MD, a pediatrician and lactation consultant, helps separate …
Michael West shares his incredible journey from diagnosis to treatment …
Many people with cancer experience depression and anxiety. Mental health …
Our members are more likely to feed their babies breast milk. And they’re …
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s Bridge Program has become …
Doctor and mother of 3 Susan Brim received top-notch care after her lung …
Carter Shaver from Portland, Oregon, shares his optimistic smile after …
Help change the future of cancer prevention by joining Connect today.
Thanks to personalized care from a team of skilled doctors, Christina McAmis …
Kaiser Permanente member Debbie Hoisch encourages people to know the warning …
Peer mentoring program matches new cancer patients with others who’ve gone …
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center achieves Magnet status, the …
As a nonsmoker, Betty Schuldt’s stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis was surprising, …
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center recognized by the Women’s Choice …
Kaiser Permanente offers many high-quality, convenient options to help …
Treatment for bipolar disorder and opiate addiction helps a Kaiser Permanente …
From avid snowboarder to chronically ill patient. How Kaiser Permanente …
A multidisciplinary care team acted fast to help save the life of a Kaiser …
Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center achieves Magnet® status, the highest …
When a Kaiser Permanente member discovered she had an irregular heartbeat …
A Southern California member with Parkinson’s disease underwent deep brain …
Member achieves bucket list goal of helping to build a Rose Parade float, …
A Kaiser Permanente member’s cancer journey inspires her to join the team …
When Rong Fang had a life-threatening heart attack, specialists at 2 Kaiser …
New care option offers pregnant patients a mix of in-person and video visits.
By lending a hand with dinners, diapers, and dishes, you can give loved …
By reaching out early and providing care that’s personalized to parents’ …
An innovative telehealth program gives patients direct access to pharmacists …
She wanted relief from pain and a healthy baby. Her care team delivered.
When knee injuries struck the basketball-loving pair around the same time, …