Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation

08/18/2026

🚑 What Is a Trauma Center?

A trauma center is a hospital equipped to provide specialized medical care for patients suffering from serious or life-threatening injuries. Research has shown that treatment by specially trained trauma professionals can significantly reduce the risk of death and permanent disability.

Not all hospitals are trauma centers. Accredited trauma centers must meet rigorous standards and maintain continuous readiness to treat the most severe and disabling injuries at any time.

It's also important to understand that while trauma centers are located within hospitals, they are designed to care for patients with major traumatic injuries and are not intended to replace traditional hospital emergency departments for minor injuries.

In Pennsylvania, trauma centers play a vital role in saving lives, reducing disability, and improving outcomes for injured patients across the Commonwealth.

08/04/2026

Join trauma professionals from across Pennsylvania for two days of cutting-edge education, the latest research and techniques, and meaningful networking with peers in the field.

📅 October 22–23, 2026
📍 Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel
⏰ Hotel room block closes Monday, September 28th — book early to lock in your rate!

Register today at www.ptsf.org.

07/13/2026

🚨 Deadline Approaching!

Nominations for the PTSF Clinical Excellence Award are due August 1, 2026.
This award recognizes outstanding individuals, teams, hospitals, programs, and EMS organizations that demonstrate excellence and innovation across the trauma care continuum.

🌟 Anyone can nominate—from healthcare professionals and administrators to patients, families, and community members.

Help us celebrate the people and programs making a difference in trauma care across Pennsylvania.

🏆 Award recipients will be recognized at the PTSF Trauma Symposium on October 22, 2026, and featured on the PTSF website and social media.

Submit your nomination before August 1!

https://www.ptsf.org/clinical-excellence-award/

07/02/2026

The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate with family, friends, and community. As we enjoy holiday festivities, the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation encourages everyone to prioritize safety - whether traveling, grilling, attending community events, or enjoying fireworks displays.

We are grateful for the dedicated trauma professionals and emergency responders who stand ready to care for Pennsylvanians when they need it most.

Please note that PTSF will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.

Have a safe, happy, and healthy Fourth of July weekend!

06/25/2026

Just a reminder that registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Trauma Symposium.

This event brings together expertise, innovation, and collaboration in one place. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or connect with peers in trauma care, this is an opportunity you don’t want to pass up.

Learn more and register at: https://www.ptsf.org/

06/23/2026

Proud to share a Pennsylvania trauma center in the spotlight, recognized by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).

Today, ENA is with Emily Eddowes, RN, and her fellow emergency nurses with the Lankenau Medical Center Emergency Department in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, after they went the extra mile for a patient who was brought into the ED on her wedding day.

Just 30 minutes before walking down the aisle, the woman suffered a seizure. Lankenau’s trauma bay — to which Eddowes and one other nurse were assigned — was the only area of the emergency department with available space. Even though she didn’t have a traumatic injury, Eddowes and the other nurse took her on as their patient.

“The way we work is to treat every patient who comes through the doors,” said Eddowes, who’s been a stretcherside nurse at Lankenau since 2021. “No matter who you are, we’re going to treat you the same. You’re here on your worst day, and we want to get you feeling better and, ideally, out the door.”

They stabilized the patient, got her through a CT scan and sent off the lab work. At that point, Eddowes said she started focusing on how they could turn her patient’s big day around.

“We just tried to flip it as soon as we could to be such a positive experience,” Eddowes said. “We said, ‘You know what? Let’s clean this up. Let’s fix your hair. You look great. Family’s on the way. We can still have a great day for you.’”

When the bride said she still wanted to get married that day, Eddowes and four other nurses took it from there. They brought the groom’s brother, who was the officiant, and the maid of honor, into the trauma bay. Eddowes said one of the nurses knew a storage closet probably had some streamers and decorations from previous staff celebrations. Before long, the trauma bay was transformed into a makeshift wedding venue.

The nurses lined everyone up for the ceremony. The bride, confined to a stretcher, had originally planned to walk down the aisle to an Adele song. One of the nurses pulled out a phone and played the song for the tight-knit group gathered in the trauma bay. Eddowes said it was clear how much these small actions meant to her patient, but their actions resonated with an even larger audience when the story was picked up by local media and even PEOPLE Magazine.

“It was an instant reminder for everybody, all of the nurses I was next to, we all looked at each other and said, ‘This is why we do what we do,’” Eddowes said. “Just to be able to help her and see the smile on her face, it reassured everybody that we’re right where we’re supposed to be. This is what we’re supposed to be doing.”

06/18/2026

The PTSF office will be closed Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth – the day that marks the end of slavery in the US and honors the resilience, contributions, and enduring legacy of Black Americans.

As we take this day away from work, we encourage each of you to take a moment to reflect on that history and what it means - both for our nation and for the communities we serve.

06/09/2026

Exciting news for trauma professionals in and around Pennsylvania!

We're thrilled to announce that The American Trauma Society Trauma Program Management Course (TPMC) is coming to Harrisburg — held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Symposium.

This dynamic two-day, in-person course was built by leaders in trauma program management, for the people doing the work every day: trauma program managers, directors, coordinators, PI coordinators, and anyone ready to step into this vital field.
In this course, you'll dig into the core principles of building and managing a comprehensive trauma program — learning alongside seasoned experts who bring real-world depth to every session.

📅 October 23–24, 2026 📍 Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, Harrisburg, PA

A couple of important deadlines to keep in mind:
• Registration closes October 1, 2026
• A discounted hotel room block is available — but it closes September 28, 2026

Whether you're deepening your expertise or just finding your footing in trauma program management, this is the course the national trauma community turns to.

We'd love to see you there!

Find out more and register:
https://amtrauma.org/Web/Web/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=TPMC102326

06/04/2026

🎉 We are thrilled to announce the American Trauma Society, Pennsylvania Division, as our Premiere Sponsor for the 2026 Trauma Symposium!

Their generous support helps make this incredible event possible — and we are so grateful for their commitment to the trauma community across Pennsylvania.

Each year, PTSF brings together trauma center staff from across the state to share the latest trends in trauma care, showcase cutting-edge research, and build meaningful connections among trauma program leaders. Conference highlights include the prestigious John Pryor Memorial Trauma Lecture and three trauma research competitions. Last year, we welcomed over 250 registrants and we're excited to make 2026 even better!

📣 Vendor & sponsor registration is NOW OPEN! If your organization is passionate about advancing trauma care, we'd love to have you involved. Visit https://www.ptsf.org/documents/ #163 learn more about available opportunities.

06/03/2026

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥

PTSF staff members Lyndsey and Stephanie joined CeaseFirePA along with hundreds of other advocates on June 2nd in Harrisburg to advocate for an end to gun violence. Throughout CeaseFirePA’s annual End Gun Violence Advocacy Day, survivors, clergy, health professionals, and Pennsylvanians held meetings with legislators demanding increased investments in evidence-based violence prevention programs, secure storage, and other key solutions, including:

• Close the background check loophole, so that people who have committed violent crimes can’t purchase fi****ms
• Require background checks and serial numbers to rein in untraceable ghost guns that are often used in crimes
• Ban machine gun conversion devices that turn a regular handgun into a machine gun

Pennsylvania trauma centers are at the frontline of gun violence, and more and more health professionals have joined the call to end gun violence, naming it a public health crisis, leading with data and sharing their stories as practitioners.