Our Trauma Chief Recognized for Improving Trauma Care throughout Suffolk County
We are very pleased to announce that our James A. Vosswinkel, MD, medical director of the Stony Brook Trauma Center, and chief of the Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, has been selected as Physician of Excellence for 2016 by the Suffolk Regional Emergency Medical Services Council (REMSCO).
Dr. Vosswinkel has been instrumental in overseeing Stony Brook's recent verification as a Level 1 Regional Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (read more). Stony Brook is Suffolk County's only Level 1 Trauma Center for both adults and children, which is the highest level of trauma care possible.
As medical director of the Trauma Center, he has strengthened relationships with EMS providers through outreach and education, by serving on the REMAC, and by assisting in the development of trauma related EMS protocols.
Among achievements cited in the award nomination, Dr. Vosswinkel:
- Created the position of EMS Education & Outreach coordinator at the Trauma Center to improve educational programs, enhance communication, and facilitate patient care.
- Instituted regular "Call Review" program with EMS agencies to review trauma cases with pre-hospital care providers.
- Instituted routine follow-up letters to the EMS Agency for all trauma activation patients.
- Began Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) courses at Trauma Center, and set the expectation that the trauma surgeons would attend PHTLS and become certified as PHTLS Instructors.
- Leads the Regional Trauma Advisory Committee which developed and rolled out a regional Trauma Pre-Notification program and a "30-second silence for EMS report" in each trauma center.
- Serves as a regular member on the Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (REMAC).
- Was instrumental in bringing bleeding control (B-Con) to Suffolk County and through partnerships has trained over 800 civilians in bleeding control techniques.
In fact, Dr. Vosswinkel is very involved in conducting B-Con training programs for the community. These 2.5-hour training sessions are offered to teachers, students, firefighters, and emergency workers, as well as community citizens. Participants learn how to use tourniquets, gauze packs, and other materials that stop bleeding. Hands-on simulations are part of each class. (Read more on AP News.)
The Suffolk REMSCO was established and carries out its responsibilities pursuant to Article 30 of the New York State Public Health Law and Part 800 of the NYS CCRR.
This 30-member council has representation from out-of-hospital emergency medical care providers from the fire service; community volunteer, and commercial ambulance service sectors; physicians; nurses; health planning agencies; hospitals; police services; county government; the business community; and other constituencies promoting good health.
By statute, the council is charged with several responsibilities including coordination of emergency medical services in the Suffolk region.
Learn more about the Stony Brook Trauma Center and its programs to benefit our region: click here.
