Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation

05/06/2026

🩺 Happy National Nurses Day! Today, May 6th, we honor the incredible nurses who show up every day with skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication to their patients and communities.

National Nurses Day kicks off National Nurses Week (May 6–12), ending on a fitting note — the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer who shaped modern nursing as we know it.

Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare. They work long shifts, make life-saving decisions in seconds, and still find the time to hold a patient's hand and offer reassurance. In trauma centers across Pennsylvania, they do this every single day.

To the phenomenal nurses on the PTSF team and to every trauma nurse serving communities across PA: we see you, we appreciate you, and we are so grateful for you. This week and always.

05/06/2026

Today, May 6th, we recognize National Trauma Registry Professionals Day - a day dedicated to honoring the data experts who work tirelessly behind the scenes to advance trauma care.

Trauma registry professionals are responsible for collecting, verifying, and analyzing patient data that drives real change from performance improvement and injury prevention to quality reporting and trauma center designation standards. Their work strengthens trauma systems and ultimately saves lives.

To our outstanding PTSF trauma registry team - Lyndsey, Gabrielle, Heather, and Stephanie - thank you! The care you put into every data point makes our trauma systems stronger every single day. We are so grateful to have you on our team advancing trauma care across Pennsylvania!

05/05/2026

Great news for Pennsylvania and a moment to recognize the people behind the numbers.

For the first time since records began nearly 100 years ago, traffic fatalities in our Commonwealth dropped below 1,100, reaching 1,047 in 2025. Every one of those numbers represents a life. A family. A community.

Progress like this doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of safer roads, smarter choices, and trauma systems that are ready when the worst still happens.

This May, in recognition of National Trauma Awareness Month, we want to highlight the critical role that Level IV Trauma Centers play in that equation. These facilities are often the first stop for seriously injured patients, particularly in rural and underserved communities. They stabilize, assess, and transfer patients to higher levels of care with speed and precision that saves lives.

Pennsylvania's trauma system works because every level works. And behind every accredited center is a team of dedicated professionals committed to one goal: getting patients the right care, at the right time.

Fewer fatalities on Pennsylvania roads is a victory. And it belongs, in part, to the trauma professionals who are trained, accredited, and ready to go every single day.

This month, we honor their work.

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2026/05/pennsylvania-roads-were-less-lethal-last-year-than-at-any-time-in-the-auto-age-heres-why.html

Pennsylvania traffic deaths hit record lows in 2025 due to safer vehicles, better trauma care, stricter DUI laws, and road design improvements.

05/04/2026

📣 Registration is now open for the 2026 Trauma Symposium!

Join us October 22–23, 2026 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel for two days of cutting-edge education in trauma care.

Connect with trauma professionals from across Pennsylvania and gain insights into the latest techniques and research shaping the field.

The American Trauma Society is offering their nationally recognized Trauma Program Management Course (TPMC) on October 23–24 presented in a dynamic 1.5-day format led by expert Trauma Program leaders. Separate registration for the TPMC will be opening soon — stay tuned!

🔗 Register today for the symposium and secure your spot.
https://ptsf.knowledgeconnex.com/

05/01/2026

May is National Trauma Awareness Month!

This May, the PA Trauma Systems Foundation proudly joins The American Trauma Society and trauma professionals and advocates nationwide in recognizing National Trauma Awareness Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about injury prevention and promoting safety in our communities.

This year’s theme, “Stay Focused. Stay Safe.”, highlights a simple but powerful truth: attention saves lives. Whether you’re driving, walking, working, or going about your daily routine, staying present helps us make safer choices and prevent avoidable injuries.

National Trauma Awareness Month is also an opportunity to honor the trauma care professionals who save lives every day—the first responders, nurses, physicians, surgeons, EMS providers, rehabilitation specialists, and support staff who stand ready 24/7 to deliver lifesaving care when seconds matter most. Their skill, dedication, and teamwork are the backbone of our trauma system and a vital part of keeping our communities safe.

Let’s commit to staying focused—for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. Preventable injuries are just that: preventable.

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04/28/2026

Join us October 22 & 23, 2026 for the 2026 Trauma Symposium!!

The premier gathering for Pennsylvania trauma professionals is almost here.

Stay tuned for registration info coming very soon and start making your plans NOW.

www.ptsf.org

04/20/2026

Exciting News from PTSF!

We are proud to announce the establishment of the PTSF Clinical Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding performance and innovation in trauma care across Pennsylvania.

This award honors the exceptional work of individuals, teams, hospitals, and programs that demonstrate a commitment to excellence across the entire trauma care continuum, from prehospital response through rehabilitation.

✅ Who can be nominated?
• Individual clinicians
• Clinical teams or departments
• Hospitals or healthcare facilities
• Trauma care improvement programs
• Prehospital agencies or EMS organizations

What we're looking for:
Nominations should highlight outstanding patient outcomes, innovation in practice, exceptional collaboration, leadership in advancing best practices, patient safety contributions, evidence-based implementation, or dedication to education and mentorship.

Anyone can nominate - trauma center staff, hospital administrators, patients and families, prehospital providers, referring facilities, and community members are all encouraged to submit.

Key Dates:
• Nomination Deadline: August 1, 2026
• Award Presentation: PTSF Trauma Symposium — October 22, 2026

Recipients will be formally recognized at our Trauma Symposium and featured on the PTSF website and social media.

Let's celebrate the remarkable contributions of Pennsylvania's trauma care professionals. Submit your nomination today!

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ai2fLWbMJUejZ0DMQVpLDADGHinesUVEi-DRXLknwltUNEpSOEFVTEpSVkowUkFVT0RETU5LMU9UUC4u

04/17/2026

PTSF is proud to congratulate Kristen Chreiman, Trauma Program Manager at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, as she begins her role as President of the Society of Trauma Nurses today. Kristen is a valued member of our trauma community and we look forward to seeing the impact she'll make in this new role. Congratulations, Kristen!

04/15/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞!
𝐏𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡!
Join us as we celebrate trauma registry professionals across the Commonwealth and recognize the vital work they do every day. More details coming soon!

Kick off the celebration by sharing a message on our virtual recognition board: https://padlet.com/ldiehl8/pa-trauma-registrar-day-shout-outs-28my4k8jhqt63nul

03/31/2026

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥

PTSF President, Amy Kempinski, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to proudly represent the Trauma Center Association of America (TCAA) and the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) during Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.

She met with three Representatives and two Senate offices to champion continued federal support for Mission Zero, advocating for the full $11.5 million appropriations needed to sustain this critical program. Mission Zero helps fund integration of military medical teams within civilian trauma centers—ensuring shared expertise, strengthened preparedness, and the highest quality care for our service members before, during, and after combat operations.

In addition, she voiced support for the Improving Trauma Systems and Emergency Care Act, vital legislation that works to ensure individuals suffering traumatic injury receive timely, coordinated, and effective emergency care.

A sincere thank‑you to Senator McCormick, Representative Dean, and Representative Smucker for their time and commitment to making trauma care a priority for Pennsylvania.

We are proud of her efforts and grateful for her leadership in advancing policies that strengthen trauma systems and save lives.

03/24/2026

The PTSF team just wrapped up our annual employee retreat — and what a 3 days it was!

From cheering on the Hershey Bears to rolling up our sleeves in a cooking class and making our own dinner together, we packed in laughs, great conversations, and some serious team building along the way.

These moments matter. When we step away from our desks and invest in each other as people — not just colleagues — we come back sharper, more connected, and better equipped to serve. A strong team doesn't happen by accident. It's built.

Grateful for every single person who makes PTSF what it is. Here's to another great year ahead!

03/16/2026

🚨 Save the Date! 🚨

PTSF is proud to host our annual Trauma Symposium on October 22 & 23, 2026, at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel

Join hundreds of trauma professionals from across the state to share trends in trauma care, explore the latest research, and connect with fellow program leaders.

With 300+ attendees in 2025, 2026 is shaping up to be even better. More details coming soon!

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for registration details. We can't wait to see you there!