The mission of the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) is to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity sustained due to severe illness or trauma.
Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) aims to ensure the following.
Each year on EMSC Week, Augusta University presents an annual Emergency Medical Services for Children Conference. May 2022 marked the 12th annual conference which was held in-person and virtually.
May 2022
Another annual EMSC conference is in the books. Significant effort and preparation
goes into this annual conference now in its 12th year. An option was made to provide
both virtual and in–person this year which challenges our attendance and going forward
we hope to bring it all back in person.
We had great support from the state Office of EMS and Trauma with the presence of the Deputy Chief, Michael Johnson in attendance. The Children’s Regional Health Care Coalition (HCC) headed by Kris Mattson provided financial support for our guest speakers;
Dr. Deanna Dahl Grove, from Rainbow Babies in Cleveland, PEM physician and co-lead on a number of national grants for pediatric disaster preparedness and Nyssa Hathaway, RN, Flight Nurse and blogger who presented on the Dark Humor in Emergency Care: Therapeutic Coping Mechanism or Unprofessional Behavior.
Food was also sponsored by the HCC. Lauren Neely, administrative support for the section did an extraordinary job in preparing and keeping everyone and everything on task for the duration of the meeting.
This conference also provided a venue to have fellows and residents present their
research. It was the 2nd year for the AU Emergency Medicine Research Day. Drs. Marcelo Lacayo Baez, Tiff
Ramirez and Maya Alexandri presented posters on their academic efforts having either
presented additionally at national meetings or submitted their work for publication.
Marcelo Lacayo Baez was additionally instrumental in working with Mallory Cunningham
of our wonderful simulation center in orchestrating an afternoon of simulations and
procedures.
Also of note was a pre- conference (May 17) held specifically for Peds Champs across the state. Regional EMS educators Lisa Birkinbine (Region 3), Bernie Restrepro (Region 9), Carol Palmer (Region 6) Cindy Blystone (SC), Michael Johnson (OEMST) and Norma Campbell (retired grant manager) helped facilitate the session.
Additionally, Governor Kemp proclaimed May 22, 2022 EMSC Day and we proudly displayed
the proclamation. EMSC nationally and statewide is an important voice for emergency
care of children and attempts to be sure the issues of children and the care provided
is equal across the state both in the pre-hospital and hospital settings.
We also honored Mrs. Norma Campbell, Paramedic (now retired grant manager) with the first ever Peds Champ Award.
Many thanks to the CHOG and AU Faculty, fellows and nurses who contributed to the excellent conference and simulation content. You should all be proud of yourselves and the way you represent our institution.
