Upstate Trauma

05/30/2026

Baldwinsville Police Department-NY Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps North West Fire District arriving at Baldwinsville Central School District for the mock Distracted Driving MCI, “Let’s Not Meet By Accident” today.

*Note: this is a reenactment only, not a real crash*

05/29/2026

Upstate Trauma’s latest Let’s Not Meet By Accident program brought us to the Baldwinsville Central School District today.

This evidence-based program helps students better understand the real-life consequences of impaired, distracted, and reckless driving decisions.

What students witnessed today was powerful, emotional, and unforgettable. While the crash was staged, the consequences it represented are very real and occur far too often in communities across our region and beyond.

The impact of today’s program was reflected in student survey results, which demonstrated meaningful improvements in attitudes and perceptions surrounding safe driving:

• Recognition that speeding can be lethal increased from 74.56% to 92.04% (+17.48%).

• Understanding that even simple distractions—such as putting on lip gloss or drinking a beverage while driving—can be deadly increased from 49.78% to 85.09% (+35.31%).

• Awareness that cell phone use while driving can be lethal increased from 79.39% to 95.63% (+16.24%).

• Confidence to speak up as a passenger and encourage safe driving behaviors increased from 56.64% to 82.38% (+25.74%).

The impact of today’s program was also reflected in the words of the students themselves:

🗣️ “Making it personal helped me understand the severity of the problem.”

🗣️ “The presentation was very immersive and showed the true consequences of distracted driving.”

🗣️ “It uses real accidents that occurred. It’s about real lives that were impacted.”

We are incredibly grateful to the Baldwinsville Central School District, Baldwinsville Police Department-NY, Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, North West Fire District, Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps, Falardeau Funeral Home, Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board and and Meyers Towing for helping bring this important lesson to life.

A special shoutout goes to the talented Baker Technical Theater students, who spent weeks creating realistic injury makeup effects for the demonstration. Their hard work, creativity, and attention to detail helped make the experience even more impactful and realistic.

We would also like to thank the seven students who participated in the mock crash and courageously portrayed victims involved in a serious motor vehicle crash scenario. Their willingness to take part helped deliver a powerful message to their peers.

As we wish everyone a safe and memorable Senior Ball tomorrow evening, we encourage all students to remember: no text message, distraction, drink, or poor decision is ever worth a life—not just on Senior Ball night, but every day.

Drive safely. Buckle up. Put the phone away. Look out for one another!

Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee of New York

05/28/2026

Upstate Trauma’s Injury Prevention Coordinator Anthony Scalise and Captain Joe Nappo from NYS University Police at Upstate recently welcomed new Chaplain Interns for an orientation to Upstate’s ACS-verified Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center.

Interns learned about the continuum of trauma care, from EMS and air medical transport to trauma bay resuscitation, inpatient care, rehabilitation, and mental health support. The session highlighted the multidisciplinary team approach required to care for trauma patients and their families.

Spiritual care plays a vital role in the healing process, providing support, comfort, and compassion during some of the most difficult moments in a patient’s journey. We look forward to working alongside these dedicated Chaplains as members of our trauma care team.

The group also toured Upstate’s helipad, gaining a firsthand look at the critical role air medical transport plays in providing rapid access to specialized trauma care across Central New York.




Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing

05/22/2026

On Wednesday, May 20, Upstate Trauma and Upstate Pediatric Trauma proudly hosted our inaugural Trauma Survivors Day event at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital in recognition of National Trauma Survivors Day.

This special event brought together trauma survivors, families, caregivers, clinicians, and support teams for a day focused on healing, resilience, reflection, and connection. Survivors shared powerful stories about their injuries, recovery journeys, ongoing challenges, and personal growth following trauma. Their strength and courage continue to inspire all of us.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to every survivor who returned to Upstate to speak about their experiences and recovery. It is incredibly meaningful for our teams to hear how you continue to grow stronger each day. Your stories provide hope, encouragement, and perspective to patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike.

A special thank you to Over the Cuse Pizza & Wings and Franco's Pizzeria and Delifor generously donating lunch for the participants and helping support this meaningful event.

Together, we continue to recognize the importance of trauma recovery, rehabilitation, emotional healing, and community support.


Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Upstate Pediatric Trauma Safe Kids Upstate NY Coalition Trauma Survivors Network

05/22/2026

05/19/2026

🚨 Thank You for an Incredible TraumaFest 2026! 🚨

Upstate Trauma Services would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone from the Upstate community and greater Central New York community who joined us today for TraumaFest 2026 on Elizabeth-Blackwell Street.

With more than 500 participants attending throughout the day, this event was a tremendous success and a true reflection of the partnerships that help strengthen trauma care, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, and community outreach across our region.

From interactive educational exhibits and hands-on activities to emergency response demonstrations, food trucks, giveaways, and meaningful conversations, today showcased what can happen when healthcare professionals, first responders, community organizations, and the public come together with a shared commitment to safety and saving lives.

And for once… the rain held off for us! ☀️

A special thank you to all participating Upstate departments, emergency responders, air medical teams, community agencies, volunteers, and attendees who helped make this year’s event possible. It truly takes a village to strengthen a trauma system, support survivors, and promote injury prevention throughout our communities.

Thank you for helping us celebrate Trauma Awareness Month❤️



Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Syracuse Oasis Safe Kids Upstate NY Coalition NYS University Police at Upstate Upstate Pediatric Trauma LifeNet of New York SUNY Upstate Emergency Management Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Syracuse Fire Department Upstate Family Birth Center The Upstate Foundation Upstate New York Poison Center The Clark Burn Center at Upstate AMR of Central New York

05/19/2026

Today was our 2026 TraumaFest. Melaina King our Trauma Program Manager and Trauma Surgeon Dr. Amie Lucia had the honors of pulling the names of our 5 winners of our special prizes.

Congratulations to the following people:
-Bridgett Longstaff (Chair)
-Megan Cameron (Chair)
-Kaleigh Murray (Water Bottle)
-Renee McKenney (Water Bottle)
-Brittany Gillette (Water Bottle)

Thank you to all who engaged and participated at our annual Trauma Event!

05/18/2026

🚨 ATTENTION Upstate Faculty, Students, and Staff!🚨

Tomorrow is is our 2026 TraumaFest! Join Upstate Trauma Services on Elizabeth Blackwell Street from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM for a free, interactive celebration recognizing the incredible teams, first responders, and community partners who help strengthen trauma care across Central New York.

This year’s event will feature:
• 23 participating programs and partner agencies
• Interactive educational experiences and hands-on activities
• The Bleeding Control Challenge and inflatable brain exhibit
• Emergency preparedness demonstrations
• Air medical, EMS, fire service, and community partner displays
• Food trucks including Toss N Fire Pizza and Soup N Smash
• Giveaways and prizes throughout the event

Be sure to stop by the Adult Trauma table to pick up your TraumaFest Passport! Visit at least 10 tables for a chance to win prizes, including GCI rockers and an Owala water bottle.

We look forward to celebrating Trauma Awareness Month with all of you and highlighting the partnerships that help save lives every day.


Upstate Medical University

Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Upstate EMS Upstate New York Poison Center Upstate Pediatric Trauma Upstate Family Birth Center Safe Kids Upstate NY Coalition Onondaga County Sheriff's Office SUNY Upstate Emergency Management The Upstate Foundation LifeNet of New York Syracuse Oasis Syracuse Fire Department AMR of Central New York NYS University Police at Upstate The Clark Burn Center at Upstate

05/15/2026

First responders arrive on scene during today’s “Let’s Not Meet By Accident” Mock Distracted Driving Crash program at West Genesee High School. Video shows fire, EMS, and law enforcement personnel responding to a staged mock motor vehicle crash scene as part of Upstate Trauma Center’s distracted driving prevention program aimed at helping students better understand the real and potentially life-altering consequences of distracted and unsafe driving behaviors.
Fairmount Fire Department