Nebraska’s Republican Gov. Jim Pillen was hospitalized after being thrown off a horse while riding with his family. He suffered injuries including seven rib fractures, a partially collapsed lung, a minor fracture in one vertebrae, and a minor kidney injury. Pillen underwent a minimally invasive procedure called a prophylactic embolization for the spleen injury. Despite his injuries, doctors said the governor’s prognosis was positive and he is expected to make a full recovery.
The governor’s doctor, Hillman Terzian, mentioned that Pillen did not suffer any damage to his nervous system, head, neck, or spinal canal. Pillen has been motivated to get out of bed and has been walking laps, impressing his medical team. Terzian emphasized that being in intensive care is normal for someone with Pillen’s injuries at his age and said the governor has a very good prognosis. The biggest priority for Pillen’s doctor is currently controlling his pain.
Pillen is expected to remain in the hospital for at least another day, but is in stable condition. GOP Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly acted as governor during the governor’s hospital stay in a routine transfer of power. While no other operations are planned for Pillen, physicians have options for treating his ribs. The governor has made arrangements to work from his hospital room. His injuries were serious, but not life-threatening, and could have been much worse.
Governor Pillen worked as a veterinarian and owned a livestock operation before being elected as governor in 2022. He ran in the gubernatorial election that year because former Gov. Pete Ricketts, also a Republican, was term-limited. Pillen’s office emphasized that while the injuries were significant, they were not life-threatening. The Associated Press contributed to the report on Pillen’s hospitalization, providing details on his injuries and the medical procedures he underwent.
Overall, it seems that Governor Pillen is on the road to recovery despite the serious injuries he sustained from being bucked off the horse. His medical team is optimistic about his prognosis and have been impressed by his motivation to start walking laps soon after the incident. While Pillen is expected to remain in the hospital for a bit longer, he is in stable condition and has made arrangements to continue working from his hospital room. The state of Nebraska will no doubt be watching his recovery progress closely as their governor prepares to return to his duties.
