Upstate Trauma

10/21/2026

Upstate University Hospital kicked off another Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) today, October 21, with 15 participants joining us for two days of hands-on learning and skill development!

TNCC provides emergency and critical care nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to rapidly assess, prioritize, and care for critically injured trauma patients. Education like this is essential to delivering high-quality trauma care! 🏥

👏 A special thank you to our dedicated TNCC instructors pictured: Jessica Tanner, Jessica Lawler, Lauren Kaul, and Jan Maggio, along with Teresa Burke (not pictured), for sharing their expertise and supporting the next generation of trauma-trained nurses!

We look forward to another great day of learning tomorrow!

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

Operation Safe Stop: Keeping Our Children Safe!

Today, Upstate Trauma Services joined the Safe Kids Upstate New York Coalition and community partners at LaFayette Central School District for Operation Safe Stop, an annual school bus safety initiative sponsored by the Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board (OCTSAB).

🚦 School Bus Safety Reminders for Drivers:

🛑 STOP for flashing red lights! In New York State, traffic in BOTH directions must stop, even on divided highways.

🟡 Yellow means prepare to stop! Slow down and be ready to stop.

🚸 Watch for children! Stay alert near school buses, bus stops, and school zones.

📵 Avoid distractions! Put your phone away and keep your eyes on the road.

🚗 Keep your distance! Allow extra space and never pass a school bus with flashing red lights.

Thank you to OCTSAB, law enforcement, school transportation professionals, and community partners for their continued commitment to protecting children across Central New York!

One stop can save a life. When the school bus stops, YOU stop!



Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Upstate Health Safe Kids Upstate NY Coalition The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee of New York Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board New York State Police

10/19/2026

What a beautiful day to head up to the helipad at Upstate Medical University Hospital to film new footage for our Let’s Not Meet By Accident program! 🚁

For more than 30 years, this longstanding injury prevention program has helped educate students across Central New York about making safe decisions and preventing traumatic injuries. This new footage will help us continue bringing realistic, engaging education to students throughout our region!

A special thank you to Casey, LPN, and Jess, RN, from our Adult Emergency Department for helping simulate the offloading of a patient, our Trauma Program, LifeNet of New York for coordinating a helicopter landing on our helipad in perfect weather and for Captain Nappo from Upstate University Police for facilitating use of the helipad.

Here’s a sneak preview of what schools across Central New York can look forward to seeing when our updated program rolls out in Spring 2027! 🚁🚑



Upstate Nursing The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee of New York NYS University Police at Upstate New York State University Police

10/16/2026

As we wrap up National Emergency Nurses Week, Upstate Trauma would like to recognize and thank the incredible emergency nurses who care for our trauma patients every day!

As the region's ONLY Level I Trauma Center, Upstate receives some of the most critically injured patients from across our 14-county region, stretching from the Canadian border to Pennsylvania.

Our emergency nurses play a critical role in providing lifesaving care during some of the most challenging moments our patients and their families will ever face. Their clinical expertise, dedication, and teamwork make a difference every single day.

To celebrate Emergency Nurses Week, our ED nursing teams participate in the annual ED Olympics, a friendly competition focused on patient safety, quality, teamwork, and promoting excellence in patient care. It's a great opportunity to recognize their knowledge, skills, and commitment to providing exceptional care!

Thank you to all of our emergency nurses for everything you do! Happy Emergency Nurses Week! 🚑💙

Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing

09/26/2026

🚨 Drivers Stay Alert Around Horse & Buggies 🚨

Every year, Upstate Trauma Center treats patients who are injured in motor vehicle crashes involving horse and buggy transportation. These crashes are preventable if we all do our part.

✅ Slow down when you see a buggy in either lane. Most travel only 5–10 mph, so you will approach much faster than you think.
✅ Only pass when it’s safe and legal. The American Trauma Society recommends leaving at least 20 ft in front of the horse before pulling back into the lane.
✅ Be patient. Do not honk or rev your engine, as it may spook the horse.
✅ Watch for signals. Buggy drivers often use hand signals or lanterns to indicate turns.
✅ Stay alert. Get off your phone and keep your eyes on the road!

📌 While motorists must slow down and share the road, it’s also true that many buggy drivers already take safety seriously—using reflective triangles, sometimes lights, and traveling on the shoulder when possible. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and together, we can prevent serious injuries and save lives.

Let’s all show respect on the road and protect our neighbors who travel by horse and buggy.

Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Safe Kids Upstate NY Coalition Upstate Pediatric Trauma Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board NYS University Police at Upstate The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee of New York

09/24/2026

Yesterday evening, Upstate Trauma held a Stop the Bleed class at the Marcellus Library! Stop the Bleed gives community members the skills to recognize and control life-threatening bleeding before first responders arrive.

The class was led by Victoria L., a second-year medical student, alongside the Safe Kids Upstate NY Coalition and fellow medical students.

We love watching our students progress from teaching individual skills to leading an entire class. This is Community Engaged Learning in action through the Norton College of Medicine—developing future physicians while serving our community.



Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Upstate Health Upstate Medical University College of Health Professions Upstate Medical University College of Graduate Studies

09/24/2026

Another successful Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)!

On September 22 & 23, Upstate University Hospital hosted a TNCC course with 13 participants strengthening their knowledge and skills in the assessment and care of injured patients.

A special thank you to our TNCC instructors pictured with the group: Jessica Lawler, Jessica Tanner, Melissa Cathey, and Jennifer Freeman. Thank you for sharing your expertise and helping prepare nurses to provide high-quality trauma care!



Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Upstate Clinical Nursing Education

09/21/2026

September is National Fall Prevention Month, with Fall Prevention Awareness Week September 21–25.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, with more than 1 in 4 adults age 65+ reporting a fall each year. At Upstate Trauma Center, falls account for nearly 50% of all trauma admissions.

Falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Staying active, improving strength and balance, checking your vision, reviewing medications, and making your home safer can all help reduce your risk.

Upstate Oasis offers Tai Chi classes to help improve balance, flexibility, and strength. https://upstate.oasisnet.org/falls-prevention/

Le Moyne College’s CARES program also provides a 7-week fall prevention program to help older adults remain safe and independent. https://careatlemoyne.com/care-programs/physical-health-services/fall-prevention-series/

Stay active. Stay strong. Stay independent.



Syracuse Oasis

09/15/2026

Being a Level I Trauma Center means Upstate is equipped to provide the highest level of care for the most seriously injured patients, 24/7.

Upstate is the only ACS-certified Level I Trauma Center in the region, serving approximately 1.7 million people and 28 referral hospitals. Patients from across Central New York and beyond may be transported or transferred to Upstate when they need the highest level of trauma care.

A Level I Trauma Center requires access to a huge range of specialists and services, including trauma surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, radiology, critical care and more. The trauma team is ready to mobilize 24/7 for both adult and pediatric patients.

One of the coolest things about trauma care at Upstate is the teamwork. When a trauma patient arrives, nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, lab and radiology staff, ICU teams, social workers and many others work together quickly and seamlessly.

A Level I Trauma Center doesn't just respond to emergencies. It also leads in:

Education and training
Research and innovation
Injury prevention
Community outreach
Quality improvement
Rehabilitation

Upstate's trauma program supports initiatives like Stop the Bleed and other community injury-prevention programs.

For Upstate nurses, working at a Level I Trauma Center means exposure to:

High-acuity and complex patients
Rare and challenging injuries
Advanced technology and treatments
Interdisciplinary teamwork
Continuous education
Opportunities to grow specialized trauma and critical care skills

Because Upstate is also an academic medical center, patient care, education and research are all connected, which creates a unique environment for professional growth.

Being a Level I Trauma Center means that when the unthinkable happens, Upstate and our teams like night shift nurses Abbey, Chelsea, Maddy and Keegan pictured here are ready.