Local Trauma Center Saves Lives

On Aug. 8, 2025, Paulom Shah was running late, but reluctantly got into his friend’s Corvette at Starbucks on Mission Boulevard for a 1-mile trip to see how the car drives. His friend took off fast and quickly lost control of the car, which spun around and T-boned into another car in the turn lane of oncoming traffic. In the passenger seat, Paulom was crushed between the Corvette’s center console and smashed-in door. While he was unconscious, Paulom’s Apple Watch detected the accident and automatically alerted EMS and his wife to his location. Coincidentally, Paulom is a senior manager engineer for iPhone cameras at Apple Computer.

Next, the driver and a bystander pulled Paulom from the car and he regained consciousness when the sun hit his face. He couldn’t stand or walk, so they laid him on nearby grass. The EMS team arrived to find Paulom writhing in pain, and his abdomen was turning dark blue. Luckily, Paulom was a short ambulance ride away from the Washington Health Trauma Center. Upon arrival, a trauma team was waiting to begin his evaluation and lifesaving treatment.

Paulom’s devastating injuries included a shattered pelvis, ruptured bladder, severed urethra, and two torn pelvic arteries. “The doctor later told me that arriving at the Trauma Center so quickly saved my life, because I was hemorrhaging internally.” The bleeding arteries in Paulom’s pelvis had to be embolized immediately. He received a suprapubic urine collection bag, and imaging showed his pelvis was broken in eight places.

Renowned UCSF Health pelvis trauma reconstruction specialist Amir Matityahu, MD, rebuilt Paulom’s pelvis using an innovative surgical technique. “Since Washington Health is affiliated with UCSF, I had one of the best surgeons in the country,” said Paulom.

The Washington Health Trauma Center brings world-class care for critically ill or injured patients in Southern Alameda County. This level II trauma center provides round-the-clock availability of trauma surgeons and prompt access to various medical specialties like orthopedics, neurosurgery, and cardiology. They also have an ongoing commitment to community safety and injury prevention education. Prior to the trauma center opening in July 2024, patients like Paulom who were injured in Fremont or surrounding areas had to be transported, sometimes in I-880 rush hour traffic, to the nearest trauma center either in San Jose or Castro Valley.

Paulom is an athlete who regularly played basketball and tennis, and lifted weights in the gym. After the accident, he had to completely rebuild his body through physically agonizing and mentally grueling exercises. “The surgeon told me he had mechanically fixed my pelvis, but my recovery was completely up to me,” Paulom recalls. “While confined to a bed and wheelchair, I decided I didn’t want to live this way and would walk again and return to the life I knew.”

Through incredible self-discipline and support from medical professionals, family and friends, Paulom has made remarkable progress. He went from struggling to stand with assistance for ten seconds to walking 12,000 steps on two occasions recently. He is slowly regaining his strength at the gym, and hopes to run and resume sports in a few months. He recently had a final visit with his orthopedic doctor who told him, “You had a phenomenal surgeon for your pelvis. Given the magnitude of the injury, it’s a miracle you’re already walking so normally.”

Paulom still has upcoming surgeries to repair internal damage and with continued perseverance, he is on schedule to return to a strong, healthy state. “The news from my orthopedist last week is a testament to the care and access to world-class doctors Washington provides for their patients,” he said.

For more information on the Washington Health Trauma Center visit WashingtonHealth.com/Trauma