On a quiet night at home in Chillicothe, Terressa Reep’s life changed in an instant.
After falling down a flight of basement stairs, she suffered a serious fall that left her with a concussion, two broken arms, multiple broken ribs, and other complications that required immediate medical attention.
What followed was a complex, coordinated recovery journey, one that began close to home.
Emergency crews transported her to Adena Regional Medical Center, where care teams quickly assessed her condition, began stabilizing her, and identified a dangerous buildup of toxins in her bloodstream caused by prolonged time immobile after the fall.
“They knew what was happening and were able to stabilize me right away,” she said. “It all happened so fast, but every step of the way they were ready.” Once stabilized, Terressa was transferred to a trauma center in Columbus, where she spent more than a week continuing treatment.
But her recovery journey brought her back closer to home. After her time in trauma care, Terressa returned to Adena, this time to Adena Greenfield Medical Center, where she spent nearly a month in inpatient rehabilitation rebuilding strength and independence.
Being close to home also made a meaningful difference for her family, who were able to visit often and stay closely involved in her recovery.
“There was always someone there,” Terressa said. “If I needed help, someone came right into the room. It wasn’t a delay or a call back, it was immediate care.”
Today, Terressa is back home and continuing her recovery, including ongoing therapy to regain strength and mobility following her injuries.
“My care felt connected the entire way through,” she said. “Everyone worked together.” As she continues to heal, she says her experience reinforced the importance of timely, local care, especially in critical moments.
“When something like this happens, every minute matters,” she said. “Having that level of care close by can change everything.”
See more of Terressa’s story at Adena.org/Faces.
Terressa’s care journey
- Adena Regional Medical Center: Emergency Department
- Trauma center in Columbus
- Adena Greenfield Medical Center: Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Recovery continues at home