2026 Region VIII Trauma Symposium


2026 Region VIII Trauma Symposium Banner

Add to Calendar 2026 Region VIII Trauma Symposium 9/24/2026 7:00:00 AM 9/24/2026 4:30:00 PM America/Chicago For More Details: https://edward-elmhurst.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?EID=17318 Description: Data related to the care of critically-ill and injured patients is rapidly evolving with advances in science and technology. If implementation at the bedside fails to keep pace, optimal patient care can be compromised. This annual symposium, hosted by 11 trauma centers in Illinois' EMS Region VIII, is designed to improve healthcare providers' knowledge, competence, and performance in the dail... Off-site Location false MM/DD/YYYY


Date & Location
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Off-site Location, Glen Ellyn, IL

Overview

Data related to the care of critically-ill and injured patients is rapidly evolving with advances in science and technology. If implementation at the bedside fails to keep pace, optimal patient care can be compromised. This annual symposium, hosted by 11 trauma centers in Illinois' EMS Region VIII, is designed to improve healthcare providers' knowledge, competence, and performance in the daily care of critically-ill and traumatized patients to prevent additional information and technology knowledge gaps. The symposium features didactic lectures and inspiring keynote addresses, balancing evidence-based principles and innovative, thought-provoking elements of trauma, critical care, and emergency medicine. It also incorporates pre-hospital trauma care systems and the newest techniques for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment; it provides valuable updates on managing injured and critically ill patients.


Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:


  1. (1) Describe the relationship between race, structural racism, violence, and disparities in trauma and health outcomes. (2) Identify the emotional and psychological impact of repeated exposure to traumatic injury and violence on healthcare professionals, including moral injury, compassion fatigue, and burnout. (3) Discuss the principles of post-traumatic growth and strategies that healthcare professionals can use to develop resilience following traumatic clinical experiences. (4) Recognize opportunities for healthcare professionals to address the underlying social and systemic factors contributing to violence and health inequities. (5) Apply trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches when caring for patients and families affected by violence. (6) Identify opportunities for clinicians to participate in advocacy, prevention, and community-based strategies aimed at reducing violence and improving health equity.
  2. (7) Describe the role of the medical examiner/coroner in investigating traumatic deaths and determining the cause and manner of death. (8) Identify common patterns and contributing factors associated with preventable traumatic deaths within the community. (9) Discuss how death-investigation data can be used to identify injury trends, high-risk populations, and opportunities for trauma and injury prevention. (10) Recognize opportunities for collaboration among healthcare professionals, emergency services, law enforcement, public health agencies, and community organizations to reduce preventable deaths. (11) Apply lessons learned from traumatic death investigations to improve patient education, community prevention initiatives, and clinical practice.
  3. (12) Describe the psychological and developmental factors that increase a child or adolescent’s vulnerability to sexual exploitation and trafficking. (13) Recognize common grooming, manipulation, coercion, and control tactics used by traffickers and understand how these dynamics can create psychological and relational captivity. (14) Identify behavioral, psychological, and clinical indicators that may suggest a patient is experiencing sexual exploitation or trafficking. (15) Discuss the impact of sexual trafficking and exploitation on attachment, identity, trust, emotional regulation, and long-term mental health. (16) Apply trauma-informed approaches when assessing and interacting with suspected trafficking survivors to promote safety, trust, and engagement in care. (17) Describe the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and appropriate referral to specialized services for survivors of trafficking.
  4. (18) Recognize common mental health challenges experienced by EMS and emergency services personnel, including depression, chronic stress, and suicidal ideation. (19) Identify warning signs and risk factors that may indicate a colleague or healthcare professional is struggling with a mental health crisis. (20) Discuss the impact of stigma and EMS culture on help-seeking behaviors and access to mental health support. (21) Describe healthy coping strategies and resilience-building techniques for managing occupational stress and repeated exposure to traumatic events. (22) Apply strategies for initiating supportive conversations and connecting colleagues with appropriate mental health resources. (23) Promote a culture within emergency services that normalizes conversations about mental health and encourages early intervention and peer support.
  5. (24) Describe major milestones in the development of American medical and trauma care over the past 250 years. (25) Identify key advances in military medicine, emergency care, trauma systems, triage, evacuation, and surgical management that have influenced modern trauma practice. (26) Explain how lessons learned from historical conflicts and mass-casualty events have contributed to innovations in contemporary trauma and emergency medicine. (27) Recognize the relationship between military and civilian trauma care and how advances in one setting have influenced the other. (28) Apply historical lessons and principles of innovation, preparedness, and adaptability to current trauma and emergency care practices. (29) Discuss the importance of preserving medical history and learning from past successes and failures to improve future patient outcomes.
  6. (30) Describe the principles of VUCA—volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity—and their relevance to terrorism and mass-casualty incidents. (31) Recognize potential indicators and injury patterns associated with terrorism and targeted violence that may influence early clinical and operational decision-making. (32) Discuss the challenges of providing trauma care in rapidly evolving, unpredictable, and resource-constrained environments. (33) Identify strategies for maintaining situational awareness, adaptability, and effective decision-making during complex traumatic events. (34) Describe the importance of multidisciplinary coordination among healthcare, EMS, law enforcement, emergency management, and other public safety partners during a terrorism-related incident. (35) Apply principles of preparedness, communication, and adaptive response to improve the safety and effectiveness of trauma teams during high-consequence events.

Target Audience
Specialties - Emergency Medicine

Credits
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (6.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (6.00 hours)

Accreditation

Physician Credit

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Illinois State Medical Society. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals is accredited by the Illinois State Medical Society to provide accredited continuing medical education for physicians. Endeavor Health: Edward-Elmhurst Hospitals designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.  

Other Participant Credit

Other participants will receive a Certificate of Participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME/ISMS, please consult your professional licensing board.


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