Since it was dedicated in 1983, the Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center has benefited from contributions by Elvis fans.

As a thank you to those faithful, the Regional Medical Center at Memphis offers tours of the facility throughout Elvis Week.

For two hours Tuesday morning, Pamela Castleman, The Med’s nursing director of trauma service, and three other staffers were guides for dozens of Elvis fans who came to see the facility bearing Elvis’ name. “We explain to fans what patients go through and the areas and resources there are here.”

One of the most devoted fans is Jane Anderson, longtime head of the Elvis Friendship Circle in Shreveport, who visits Memphis at least twice a year. She is not only a supporter of the trauma center but participates in as many events as she can.

“A big draw is being with my extended family here,” she said. But the main attraction is the candlelight vigil. “If I had only one day and had to get up and make the six hour drive for that, I would.”

A key supporter of the trauma center has been raising funds since the center was dedicated 26 years ago. Wilma Wooten has been here every year, coming from her home in Winston-Salem, N.C. Early on, she was inspired to put together a well-received cookbook of recipes from fans and celebrities, and now she is selling T-shirts to raise money.

Wooten will be at The Med selling T-shirts all week. Afterwards, they’ll be available in the hospital’s gift shop.

In Elvis’ Name:

* The Elvis Presley Memorial Trauma Center has served over 80,000 Level 1 trauma patients from a six state area.

* The center has four dedicated operating rooms and a two-bed recovery room.

* There is a 23-bed dedicated trauma intensive care unit, a seven-bed trauma stepdown unit, and a 26-bed post trauma unit.

Source: Regional Medical Center at Memphis