By DAVID HENRY LEIGH
An LDS missionary remains in a coma after being flown home to Utah on May 1 aboard the personal plane of John Huntsman. Elder Orin Voorheis was shot while he served in Argentina.
Don Olson, spokesman for the Huntsman Corporation, said John Huntsman, a notable Utah businessman, decided to medically equip his private plane to bring Voorheis back to the United States after speaking with Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Voorheis was serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina when he was shot in a botched robbery attempt, according to Argentine officials.
L. Don LeFevre, church spokesman, told The Universe that all information regarding Voorheis will be provided by the University of Utah Hospital Public Affairs Office.
'After being transported to their facility,' LeFevre said, 'he (Voorheis) became their patient and therefore all information must now come from them.'
The University of Utah Neuro Critical Care Unit said Voorheis is listed in serious and stable condition.
University physicians said Voorheis received excellent medical care in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and during the return flight to Utah.
University hospital physicians and the Voorheis family are encouraged by signs of progress that Voorheis has made.
'Penetrating brain injury is extremely serious,' said Dr. Richard H. Schmidt, attending physician and neurosurgeon. 'The type of injury Mr. Voorheis sustained is usually fatal. He already has exceeded expectation with his progress so far.'
Although Schmidt believes that Voorheis' chances of dying have been greatly reduced, he also said he cannot speculate on Voorheis' chances of regaining consciousness.
'The pace of progress, while unpredictable, is usually slow and incremental,' Schmidt said. 'Our job is to provide him with the best possible care and continue the excellent treatment he has received to this point.'
Voorheis is also being treated for pneumonia.
The Voorheis family has requested no more contact, at this time, from the press or the media. Hospital officials will report any significant changes in Voorheis' medical condition, including his level of consciousness.