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.

  • State-of-the-art emergency medical care for the ill and injured child or adolescent
  • Pediatric service is well integrated into an emergency medical service system backed by optimal resources
  • Entire spectrum of emergency services, including primary prevention of illness and injury, acute care, and rehabilitation, is provided to children and adolescents as well as adults.

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. 

 

12th Annual Emergency Medical Services for Children Conference, May 2022

Conference Agenda

EMSC Organizers and Presenters with Proclamation​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.

EMSC Prsenter, Nyssa Hathaway, RNThis 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. 

EMSC Attendees watching presentationAdditionally, 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.


What did the attendees think of the 12th EMSC Conference?

  • Thank all of you for having this conference. I used to be bid in the EMSC about 20 years ago but moved out of the state and came back 5 years ago.  Thanks for having this and I look forward to many more chances to keep up with the most up to date information.
  • Thank you for such amazing content! It was well organized, and all the speakers were great! The food was good too and the sim lab looked amazing, what a resource!
  • This was a very good conference. I look forward to attending future events.  It was very informative.  Thank you very much for the opportunity to attend.
  • Excellent conference. I enjoy it every time I have attended.  It’s different lectures every year.
  • 10/10 recommend. Very informative conference and it was very attention grabbing.
  • Great presentations! I look forward to next year's!
  • The speakers had a wealth of knowledge and was able to clearly represent the material for all the attendees.
  • The speakers were wonderful! lots of relevant and timely information.
  • I enjoyed learning about different pediatric issues. I also enjoyed talking to other providers from a different area.
  • Every single part was awesome.
  • I liked the in-depth explanations, the time set aside for questions to be asked and notes to be made, and the simulations.
  • I don't know why, but I was enthralled with the snake bite session.
  • Keep up the good work!!!!