Governor Jim Pillen will be discharged today from Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he has received treatment for multiple serious injuries resulting from a weekend horse-riding accident.
The Governor’s Office says Pillen will continue his recovery at the Governor’s Residence and plans to resume his office activities next week.
Pillen, 68, suffered minor lacerations to his spleen and kidney, seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung resulting from the rib damage, and a minor fracture in one of his vertebrae. Doctors overseeing Pillen at say the Governor suffered no injuries to his neck, head, nervous system or additional internal organs.
The Governor underwent a coil embolization – a minimally invasive procedure to address minor bleeding from his spleen. He also elected to undergo a rib fixation procedure, in which his broken ribs were stabilized using metal plates. Doctors say this procedure helps promote stronger long-term healing of the ribs, assists with pain management during the recovery process, and reduce the odds of complications.
While Pillen was undergoing surgery, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly briefly acted as Governor, pursuant to the Nebraska Constitution.