NUMC Doctors Saves Veteran's Life

A doctor and his team at (NUMC) were honored Tuesday for saving the life of a veteran who was battling a deadly condition.

Dr. Louis Riina, and a group of doctors and nurses at NUMC's Burn Center, saved the life of a veteran suffering from ''Necrotizing fasciitis,'' a rare, life-threatening, flesh-eating bacteria.

According to CBS New York, Timothy Callahan, 26, of Farmingdale, "fought in the Persian Gulf and helped earthquake victims in Haiti."

From CBS:

The bacteria ate away at most of Tim’s upper arm. He told Gusoff he doesn’t know where he got the infection, but doctors say it can come from anywhere.

“What they did was amazing,” Callahan told CBS. “I’m very grateful.”

According to Web MD, Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection caused by bacteria. It can destroy skin, fat and the tissue covering the muscles within a very short time. About one in four people die from the condition, according to the website.

“I would like to commend the Burn Center doctors at Nassau University Medical Center for helping save the life of this brave young man who has done so much to defend our nations freedom,” said County Executive Edward Mangano. “This Memorial Day weekend, it is imperative that we take time to thank all of our veterans for all the tremendous sacrifices they have made throughout the years protecting us at home and abroad.”

What do you think of the job that NUMC's Burn Unit did? Tell us in the comments.