posted March 06, 2025

Caregivers who helped save Rowdy Atkins’ life reflect on his remarkable recovery

Colorado City, TX, Mar. 6, 2025 – On Monday, staff from Mitchell County Hospital and Native Air emergency air medical service reunited with a former patient and his family to celebrate his miraculous recovery. In October 2021, 16-year-old Rowdy Atkins took a knee to the abdomen during a football game. While high school football players are often hit hard, his mother knew something was wrong. She insisted on taking her son to Mitchell County Hospital where he was diagnosed with a rare, and often fatal, fractured pancreas.

“Typically, in blunt trauma, we expect a liver or spleen injury,” said PA Chip Payne, who treated Atkins in the emergency room. “Never did I think the radiologist was going to call and say he has a fractured pancreas. It is very rare, and you wouldn’t think to find that from a football injury.”

The ER team recognized the need for immediate surgery and called Native Air to transport the teen by helicopter to Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. Despite the severity of his injury, Atkins was in good spirits and insisted on taking a photo with the flight crew before being loaded onto the aircraft.

“I don’t think Rowdy truly understood at the time what a life-threatening emergency this was as he was actively bleeding internally,” said Native Air Flight Paramedic Jason Guynes. “He was an easy patient because he wasn’t freaking out, so that made our job easier. We will never forget it.”

Guynes explained how the quick diagnosis of Atkins’ condition and the rapid transport provided by Native Air were critical in his ability to not only survive but make a full recovery after spending a week in the surgical ICU, a month in the hospital, and 45 days on a feeding tube.

“We didn’t pay a thing for the helicopter ride to Lubbock,” said Holly Atkins, Rowdy’s mother. “When we received the explanation of benefits that showed the total cost of the flight, I called the number listed and the patient advocate said, ‘you go take care of Rowdy and I’ll take care of this.’ She was so comforting and reassuring that I really knew I didn’t need to worry about it. Insurance covered the entire cost of the flight.”

Accidents like this can cause concerns about medical expenses, but thanks to the No Surprises Act, which went into effect in 2022, insured patients are protected from unexpected bills. They cannot be charged more than their copay, coinsurance, deductible, or maximum out-of-pocket expenditure—including for emergency air medical transport. Native Air is part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider. The Air Methods patient advocacy program works directly with patients to navigate financial assistance options, regardless of insurance coverage.

Seeing now 20-year-old Atkins fully recovered with a promising life ahead was inspiring for all in attendance at the event.

“I just want to thank you all for coming out today,” said Atkins. “I truly thank God because I don’t really remember that night, but hearing everything that happened, I know the only reason I’m here today is because of God and because He sent you all to take care of me. Thank you for being in my life and being part of my recovery.”