As the survivor of a violent EF4 tornado, John Dunning has shared his story countless times. What never changes is the gratitude in his voice for a second chance at life.
On Oct. 4, 2013, Dunning, the chief information officer (CIO) for Wayne State College, was driving home from a business trip with a colleague. Aware of tornado warnings for Wayne, Nebraska, the duo was eight miles from town when a rain-wrapped storm unleashed. “I drove to a ditch and we bailed out of the truck as the windows imploded,” said John. As he ran to safety, the funnel’s high-speed winds slammed a commercial-sized steel dumpster into John’s side and crushed it. Pelted by flying debris, John suffered multiple fractures, lacerations and a traumatic brain injury.
After surviving a 12-day coma, surgery, skin grafts and weeks of hospitalization at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, John tackled three months of specialized rehabilitation at Madonna. With his outgoing personality, John easily bonded with staff and other patients. His wife, Ann, and mother, Carol, provided unwavering support during John’s recovery. Gratitude and humor fueled his long and often arduous journey. John’s infectious positivity boosted the morale of other patients and families facing their own daily struggles.
John resumed his life roles as husband, son, friend and dedicated CIO with a renewed spirit. Acting in community theater feeds his creative side. “At Mercy, the ICU staff did a very good job of keeping me alive,” said John. “The staff at Madonna filled me with hope and convinced me I could live again.”
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