Skip to main content

Patient Stories: Amy Westgate

April 9, 2021

Amy Westgate, at the age of 21, was driving on Superbowl Sunday at 4:45 pm when another driver hit her vehicle head-on.

Amy Westgate

Amy was brought to Tufts Medical Center via MedFlight with critical injuries, including multiple fractures and massive internal bleeding. Amy remained at Tufts MC for 3 ½ weeks in the ICU and underwent eight surgeries. Her multidisciplinary care team included physicians from the Emergency Department, Obstetrics, Orthopedics and others. While Amy doesn’t remember much of her time while at Tufts MC, her mother, Annette, was with her daily during her stay. They both recall their appreciation for the Medical Center staff who, during this tremendously challenging time, provided them with resources and navigated them through the countless medical procedures and subsequent recovery process.

Amy and Annette are not only grateful for the lifesaving care that Amy received, but for the compassionate manner in which they were treated. Annette shares that “Dr. [Scott] Ryan, [Chief of Orthopedic Trauma,] asked us about Amy. He wanted to know about her as a person and not just a case number.” Adds Amy, “Dr. Ryan is pretty much family at this point. He still checks in and makes sure everything is ok.”

Today, Amy is in school and working full-time, and is incredibly grateful to Tufts MC for saving her life.

Recently, Amy’s story of survival was featured during the virtual Working Wonders for Tufts Medical Center event. 

Watch her story and the entire program here

Lauren Lessard at Fenway Park
Patient Stories
Finding Her Stride Again: Lauren’s Journey to the Boston Marathon
March 16, 2026
Navigating endometriosis and achalasia wasn't easy, but a collaborative care team at Tufts Medical Center helped Lauren Lessard get to the starting line.
Megan Andy smiling
Patient Stories
Megan’s Story: Ending Years of Chronic Pelvic Pain with Minimally Invasive Surgery
March 13, 2026
After years of debilitating abdominal pain and heavy menstrual bleeding, Megan finally found answers, and lasting relief, through robotic-assisted hysterectomy at MelroseWakefield Hospital.
Two runners posing by the bridge in Boston
Articles
Two Hearts, One Finish Line: A Boston Marathon Love Story
February 25, 2026
Tufts Medical Center clinicians Hannah and Dana are taking on the 2026 Boston Marathon with Team Tufts MC to give back to the place where their story began.

Be among the first to know

Enjoy the latest health updates from Tufts Medicine by signing up for our e-newsletter today.

Jump back to top