“Am I going to lose my hand?”

That’s the first thought that hit me when I caught it in a piece of my family’s farm equipment. I was alone, so I wrapped it up in a sweatshirt and drove myself to the nearest hospital in Burley, Idaho.

I knew my hand was severely mangled. I tried to stay calm and focused but during the ten mile trip I thought about all the “what ifs”. As a 3rd generation farmer I couldn’t imagine how I’d continue doing much of the manual labor my job required. However, my real concern was my family: my wife, our toddler son—who loved being tossed in the air—and our second child on the way. What would my life without a hand mean for them?

When I arrived at the local emergency room, it was clear they weren’t equipped to handle such a complex injury. Within an hour, I was airlifted to University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. I kept wondering what my future would look like. I soon learned how lucky I was to have U of U Health in the Mountain West.

Things weren’t looking good. I later learned that most hospitals probably would have chosen amputation. Fortunately, I was placed in the skilled hands of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Foster and plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Laura Wong. Though I had a very complicated injury, Dr. Foster, who specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery, was undaunted and hopeful. He knew I was determined to save my hand—even though it meant a more challenging path—and performed the surgery to 
reattach it within hours of my accident

I still had a long road ahead of me, some of the hardest days of my life. Through it all Dr. Foster was by my side, even coming to check on me during his off hours when his kids were napping. He didn’t just treat me like his patient, but also as a fellow husband and father who wanted to be there for his family. Dr. Foster worked closely with the equally wonderful Dr. Wong. During one 13-hour surgery—one of eight total—Dr. Foster restored function while Dr. Wong rebuilt appearance and structure. And they both worked closely with my amazing physical therapy team to ensure I redeveloped as much use of my hand as possible. You don’t find that kind of 
collaboration everywhere.

In fact, U of U Health’s multidisciplinary approach is one of the things that makes it so special. Everyone worked together so seamlessly to ensure I got the precise care I needed for the best possible outcome.

Because of access to that level of expertise and teamwork, just a little over a year after my accident, I am back at work on the farm and being the hands-on dad I want to be for my two kids. This wouldn’t have been possible without the skilled care teams and resources available at the University of Utah Health.

That’s why I’m asking you to consider a gift
to the University of Utah’s Here For You Fund. Your support ensures that world-class, life-changing care—like the care I received—remains available for you, for me, and for everyone we love, whenever and wherever it’s needed.

Life can change instantly. Your generosity helps meet the hospitals’ and clinics’ top priorities and urgent needs. It allows the University Hospital to care for today’s patients and prepare for the future. 

I now realize the impact the kindness of people I’ve never met has had on my life. Maybe you’ve never needed their care, or perhaps you or a loved one has benefited from their expertise and compassion. Either way, I hope the University of Utah Health can count on you to help others in need, just like they did for me.

Gratefully,
Tanner Harper
Grateful Patient