Episode Details

Episode 17: Formula 1 is all about speed, precision, and split-second decisions. So is trauma care.

In this high-intensity episode of On Call, Off Script, we take you behind the scenes of one of the most complex medical operations in sports. As Formula 1 returns to Miami, the team at Jackson Health System’s Ryder Trauma Center isn’t just on standby. They’re building a fully operational trauma unit right at the track.

Host Ruelle Champion sits down with trauma surgeon Dr. Antonio Marttos and Ann Higgins, associate nurse manager at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial, to break down what it really takes to prepare for an event where every second matters.

From replicating a Level 1 trauma center trackside to making life-or-death decisions in under five minutes, this episode explores how elite medicine mirrors elite racing. 

You’ll hear how:

* A full trauma system is transported and rebuilt at the F1 track

* Medical teams train for high-speed, high-impact emergencies

* Real-time data like G-force impacts shapes clinical decisions

* A five-minute window can determine whether a driver returns to the race or is airlifted to the hospital

* Jackson helped raise the global standard for motorsports medical care

And beyond the adrenaline, you’ll get a rare look at the teamwork, trust, and preparation that power both the track and the trauma bay.

This isn’t just coverage. It’s a masterclass in readiness.

Guest Bios:

• Dr. Antonio Marttos, trauma surgeon, Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital and Jackson South Medical Center. A global leader in trauma care and motorsports medicine, Dr. Marttos shares how his passion for racing and medicine collided to help elevate safety standards in Formula 1 worldwide.
• Ann Higgins, associate nurse manager, Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Ann brings an inside look at the logistics, coordination, and execution required to transform a racetrack into a fully functioning trauma-ready environment.