Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (PPMH) hosted its third annual Trauma Skills Symposium, marking a significant milestone as the event expanded beyond the hospital to include participants from across the region. The immersive, hands-on training brought together a diverse group of medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, EMTs, techs and medical students.

This year, 42 participants attended, coming from all over Georgia EMS Region 8 which spans more than two dozen counties in southwest and southcentral Georgia.  Those regional stakeholders include physicians, hospital personnel and representatives from EMS agencies who are working together to establish a Regional Trauma Advisory Committee which will develop, maintain and monitor improvement activities for the Georgia Trauma System. 

“We had an amazing day. The turnout and engagement were a true testament to the need for and value of this kind of regional training,” said Brandi Fitzgerald, Phoebe Trauma Program Manager.

As a designated Level II Trauma Center, Phoebe is committed to being a flagship resource for trauma care in Region 8. The symposium focused on bridging the gap between rural and urban healthcare resources and strengthening providers’ confidence in managing critically injured patients.

“We know that clinicians in rural hospitals often face unique challenges due to limited resources. By opening our symposium to the entire region, we’re not only offering vital skills training, but we’re also building a stronger, more connected trauma care network,” said Fitzgerald.

Hosted in partnership with the Medical Education and Research Institute (MERI), the training featured hands-on airway management, orthopedic trauma and thoracic trauma sessions. Specialists from the Grady Burn Team provided updated burn treatment standards, snakebite antivenom protocols (CRoFab) were discussed and AirEvac led a specialized station on suction-assisted laryngoscopic airway decontamination.

“This is about more than just education. We’re creating a space where teams can ask questions, sharpen their skills, and prepare for worst-case scenarios in a low-pressure, high-impact environment,” said Dr. Leon Dent, Phoebe’s Medical Director for Trauma Services.

The symposium also included moving presentations from two trauma survivors, Vansh Patel and Megan Warmack who shared their recovery journeys and highlighted the life-saving impact of trauma teams in moments of crisis.

With May recognized as Trauma Awareness Month, Phoebe’s symposium reinforces its commitment to improving outcomes for patients across southwest Georgia and serving as a collaborative leader in trauma care for the region.