The Clark Burn Center at Upstate

01/28/2026

Tonight, our Burn Program Manager, Tamara Roberts, MSN, CBRN, presented “Initial Management of the Burn and/or Inhalation Injury Patient” to EMS providers and nurses.

Tamara emphasized how the first decisions in burn care can shape outcomes through strong early assessment, appropriate fluid resuscitation, and intentional steps to prevent hypothermia. She also focused on what we cannot see at first, the hidden injuries. This means paying close attention to scene clues and mechanism of injury to identify trauma we cannot afford to miss. Do not let the burn distract from the full patient assessment. She also reviewed inhalation injury, airway assessment, close monitoring, and American Burn Association (ABA) referral guidelines to support timely transfer when needed.

A sincere thank you to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital for having us and for your commitment to your community and to excellent burn care. We appreciate the opportunity to share this training with your team. 🤝🔥

01/23/2026

🚨 EXTREME COLD ALERT — Upstate NY 🚨
🥶 Highs: low single digits • 🌙 Lows: down to -7°F
💨 Wind chills: -35°F to -40°F → frostbite can happen in minutes on exposed skin.

✅ Prevent frostbite:
🧤 Cover ALL exposed skin (hat + mittens/gloves + face/neck cover)
🧥 Layers + windproof outer layer
⏱️ Limit time outside + take warm-up breaks (use the wind chill chart like a timer)
🧦 Stay dry — wet clothing increases heat loss

🧊 Signs of frostbite:
• Tingling, stinging, or burning in fingers/toes/ears/nose
• Numbness or loss of feeling (big warning sign)
• Skin turns red, then pale/white
• Swelling or blisters can show up later (often after coming inside)

🚩 GO NOW (ER) if:
• Skin is turning gray/white/yellow/blue/black
• Feeling isn’t returning after you’re indoors and starting to warm up

🚑 Frostbite is a medical emergency. The Clark Burn Center treats frostbite injuries—seek care early.

➡️ Think frostbite? Get indoors and seek medical care immediately.
🚫 Don’t rub or massage
⚠️ Avoid direct heat (heating pads, fires, radiators, car vents) — numb skin can burn without you feeling it.
📞 Call 911 in an emergency.

01/22/2026

Celebrating Community Risk Reduction Week! 🚒❤️

A heartfelt thank you to every firefighter and fire department. We appreciate your dedication to this profession-your courage, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to protecting those in need. 

We’re also deeply grateful for the partnerships we have with all of you to bring prevention, education and engagement into our communities. Every time we ask, you respond with an enthusiastic “Absolutely! and that says everything about who you are.

We are so proud to work alongside the best of the best.

01/22/2026

01/16/2026

📣 Monthly Burn TeleECHO | SUNY Upstate Project ECHO®
The Clark Burn Center is proud to offer monthly Burn TeleECHO sessions—an easy, interactive way to learn, ask questions, and connect with burn experts.
🗓️ Tuesday, January 20, 2026
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🎓 Topic: Burn Shock & Hemodynamic Monitoring
👩‍⚕️ Presenter: Tamara Roberts, MSN, RN, CBRN (Burn Program Manager)
This session is a great opportunity to strengthen confidence in burn shock recognition and monitoring, including:
• Defining burn shock
• Understanding pathophysiology
• Applying monitoring strategies
• Identifying resuscitation endpoints
Open to: physicians, PAs, NPs, RNs, community health workers, EMS/pre-hospital teams, pharmacists, and emergency care providers.
✅ Join us and bring your questions!
https://echo.zoom.us/j/329312363?pwd=dllwc0JsVnQvUCtidGdYZzh6VWZzUT09

01/13/2026

Tonight, the Burn Program will be on NewsChannel 9 with Christie Casciano. We’ll be discussing the importance of having smoke detectors in your home and making sure they work! ✅ Test them monthly.
We also talk about how imperative it is to have an escape plan and practice it with everyone in your home. Always know two ways out of every room, and never go back in once you are safely out. The most heroic thing you can do is call 911 and get firefighters on the way.
🔥 Extra tips to help prevent home fires:
• Space heaters: keep 3 feet from anything that can burn (blankets, curtains, furniture). Plug directly into a wall outlet (no extension cords/power strips). Turn off and unplug before bed and when leaving the home.
• Cooking safety: stay in the kitchen when cooking, and keep towels/packaging away from the stove.
• Electrical safety: don’t overload outlets; replace damaged cords; use power strips with surge protection when appropriate.
• Smoking safety: smoke outside if possible, never smoke when tired, and fully extinguish in a deep ashtray.
• Lithium-ion batteries: use the correct charger, don’t charge on beds/sofas, and unplug devices before going to bed.

We truly appreciate the opportunity to share this information. We are here if you have any questions or would like an escape plan kit. Wishing you all safety! ❤️

01/12/2026

💙 Burn Foundation of CNY has been a light in the lives of so many, empowering burn survivors and supporting families. Their generosity creates moments of hope, connection, and healing for all.
Join us during National Burn Awareness Week for a very special night:
🏒 Burn Foundation Night at the Syracuse Crunch
📅 Friday, February 6 | 🕖 7:00 PM puck drop
📍 Upstate Medical University Arena
🎟️ Tickets: $22 (a portion of proceeds supports the Burn Foundation of CNY)
This event kicks off the 12th Annual Overnight: The Crunch & TC3, a weekend that brings survivors together for connection, fun, and healing.
🧡 Every ticket helps make a difference. Whether you are cheering in the stands or sharing the event, you are helping support programs such as the Pediatric Burn Camp that uplift and impact our burn community.
👉 Order tickets online at:
www.syracusecrunch.com/BURNFOUNDATION
🔑 Use promo code: BURNFOUNDATION
📞 Questions? Contact Nancy Loh at 315-473-4444 ext. 119 or email nloh@syracusecrunch.com

01/10/2026

🔥 First Burn Champion Class of 2026 🔥
Burn care takes a village. Today this incredible group of nurses became Burn Champions! 💙

This class explored how bedside care impacts outcomes, including:
💧 Burn size estimation & fluid resuscitation
🧊 Preventing hypothermia
🫁 Recognizing inhalation injury
🧴 Graft care & dressing changes
📊 Functional pain assessment
💪 PT/OT, positioning, and nutrition for healing
🧠 Psychosocial needs & patient advocacy

✅ They also practiced hands-on dressing changes. Creative applications to cover and protect wounds while still supporting mobility.

So proud of this team! 👏🔥

01/06/2026

🚨 UPDATE 🚨- All Lanes Are Now Open

The danger involving the tractor trailer fire on the New York State Thruway has been cleared.

✅ The evacuation order has been lifted and all residents may return to their homes.

🚧 TRAFFIC UPDATE
The New York State Thruway is now operating as normal.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as emergency crews worked to resolve this incident safely.

01/06/2026

Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. 🧡
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Winter Warmth Drive for our friends experiencing homelessness. The generosity from our Upstate Medical University family and greater community has been incredible and we are eternally grateful.
Even after the holidays, donations are still pouring in. With CNY winter hitting hard—heavy snow and cold, wet conditions—your donations are arriving at exactly the right time.
Impact snapshot so far:
🧤 20 pairs of gloves
🧢 30 trapper hats + 5 watch caps
🧦 25 pairs of wool socks
🛡️ 58 emergency blankets
🌧️ 20 emergency ponchos
🧊 5 hand-warmer variety packs
…and so many other donations that will make such a difference.
📅 Winter Warmth Drive open through January 31
And endless gratitude to Housecalls for the Homeless - Upstate for the compassion, connection, and care they provide. They are absolutely extraordinary in caring for our friends. 🧡

12/29/2025

While you prepare for the storm, here are a few quick reminders to help prevent fires, burns, and cold-related injuries.