BACK FROM THE BRINK

How one employee defied death

By Talal Elmasry

After a severe collision with an SUV, motorcyclist Matt Benavidez — who now works as a patient care technician at UF Health Shands — was pronounced dead on the scene. Paramedics were able to revive him long enough to bring him to UF Health. But his injuries were severe: multiple fractures, excessive bleeding and a traumatic brain injury. While paramedics worked to bring him back, Benavidez said he got a glimpse of the afterlife, where voices asked if he wanted to come with them or stay and work hard on Earth. Benavidez chose to embrace the fight and “die later.” Now, Benavidez is saving lives at the same trauma center that saved his.