The Texas Legislature mandated in 1989
the creation of a regionalized trauma system throughout the state. Texas was divided into 22 regions (trauma service areas),
each to be served by a Regional Advisory Council charged with formulating and organizing local systems for delivering care
to injured citizens. In 1993, the SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council was organized to improve the identification,
transportation, and management of injury victims in our area. In 1997, Texas legislators passed Senate Bill #102 to provide
funding for trauma system development.