An extraordinary medical journey unfolds as devastating trauma—a 17-year-old girl's shotgun blast to the face—is transformed into renewed hope through groundbreaking facial reconstruction. Dr. Long welcomes special guests Dr. Eric Dierks, an oral maxillofacial and ENT surgeon, and Dr. Larry Over, a prosthodontist specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics. Together, they unravel the remarkable case of a patient, whose face was catastrophically damaged by a shotgun injury that destroyed her no...
Nov 24, 2025
52 min
What happens when a 17-year-old girl arrives at the trauma center with her face destroyed by a shotgun blast? In this episode, we explore an extraordinary case that demonstrates why specialized expertise and immediate intervention make all the difference between life and death. The shotgun injury created catastrophic damage, essentially removing the girl's face from the eyebrows down to the upper lip. Most trauma centers would have classified this as non-survivable. But Dr. Long assembled a ...
Nov 17, 2025
1 hr 1 min
Caution: Graphic Medical Content. Listener Discretion Advised A shotgun blast to the face at close range should've been fatal. Everything between her eyebrows and upper teeth was gone—eyes, nose, mid-face—yet somehow, a 17-year-old girl survived. This is the first episode in a three-part series exploring one of the most remarkable and complex facial trauma cases in medical history. The secret to her survival? An extraordinary collaboration between specialists who weren't afraid to challenge c...
Nov 10, 2025
41 min
A police officer is shot point-blank in the face during a routine traffic stop, the .38 caliber bullet severing his internal carotid artery at the base of his skull. Most wouldn't survive this catastrophic injury, but at Emanuel Hospital—a place Dr. Bryce Potter describes as "a hard place to die"—something remarkable happens. Dr. Bill Long is joined by Dr. Bryce Potter, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, as they take us through the harrowing case, revealing how innovative thinking saved this ...
Nov 3, 2025
45 min
In this compelling episode of Flatline to Lifeline, Dr. Bill Long welcomes his longtime colleague Dr. Bryce Potter, a remarkable specialist with dual MD and DMD degrees, to explore how specialized training and innovative systems change patient outcomes. Dr. Potter represents a rare breed of medical professionals - at the time of his practice, he was one of only twelve people in the United States with his particular combination of training. This unique background allowed him to handle complex...
Oct 27, 2025
1 hr
When a motorcycle police officer collided with an SUV at 50 mph, his survival chances seemed slim. With fixed, dilated pupils—a classic sign of severe brain trauma—the clock was ticking. In this riveting exploration of emergency neurosurgery, Dr. Bill Long and special guest Dr. Jeff Chen, former director of trauma neurosurgery at Emanuel Hospital, take us through the life-saving measures that turned catastrophe into recovery. The episode opens a window into the specialized world of neurotraum...
Oct 20, 2025
59 min
Every second counts when a young boxing champion collapses unconscious in the ring. With his brain hemorrhaging and pressure building inside his skull, his life hangs by a thread. This is the story of a race against time, innovative medical thinking, and the power of teamwork in trauma care. Dr. Long takes us deep inside the intricate architecture of the human brain and its protective systems. We learn how the scalp, skull, dura, and meninges form layers of protection, but also create confin...
Oct 13, 2025
57 min
In this poignant and insightful episode, Dr. Bill Long and host Will welcome special guests, producer Lindsey Kealey and organizational guru Esther McDonald, for a candid roundtable discussion as Season Four of Flatline to Lifeline begins. Moving beyond immediate shock trauma, this conversation delves into the vital role of patient advocacy when facing life-threatening medical scenarios. Lindsey shares her deeply personal and current journey navigating her husband's rare and aggressive ...
Oct 6, 2025
1 hr
We're thrilled to announce that Flatline to Lifeline is officially returning for Season 4! Thank you for your patience, loyal listeners. We haven't forgotten you! Get ready for more compelling case studies and insights into the revolutionary trauma care pioneered by Dr. Long. We'll be diving deeper into the extraordinary impact of his 50-year career, exploring the very real potential for survival in the face of near-death experiences. Stay tuned for release details as we continue this incredi...
Mar 29, 2025
50 sec
Ever wondered how trauma care can reach the most remote corners of our country? Joining us today is Dr. John Hill, the brilliant mind alongside Dr. Bill Long, who pioneered the Mobile Surgical Transport Team (MSTT) in Oregon. Discover how their innovative approach has revolutionized trauma care by bringing critical surgical interventions directly to rural hospitals, drastically improving survival rates. You'll hear about the origins and impact of the MSTT and how this life-saving initiative h...
Aug 15, 2024
53 min
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