In this episode of the AAST Cutting Edge Podcast, host Dr. Caroline Park and co-host Dr. Susan Kartiko are joined by Shira Rothberg, licensed clinical social worker and Trauma Survivors Network Coordinator at Inova Fairfax Hospital, to discuss Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and its role in supporting trauma and emergency department staff after high-impact cases. Drawing on her training through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), Shira breaks down how structured debriefs help providers normalize acute stress responses, reconnect with their teams, and access further support when needed.

The conversation explores what CISM looks like in practice — from leadership recognition that a debrief is needed, to hybrid in-person and virtual formats, to the important distinction between something that is therapeutic and formal therapy. For trauma programs looking to implement CISM, the takeaway is clear: it starts with one or two trained facilitators and leadership buy-in — and once staff experience it, they keep coming back.

Injury Prevention Month: Advancing Trauma Prevention Beyond the Hospital

In recognition of Injury Prevention Month, the Cutting Edge Podcast features a timely conversation highlighting the critical work of the AAST Prevention Committee and its impact on patients, trauma systems, and the communities we serve.

The discussion explores how trauma surgeons and acute care providers can lead prevention initiatives that address violence intervention, firearm injury prevention, falls, motor vehicle safety, and community-based outreach. Panelists emphasize that prevention is a systems-level responsibility, requiring collaboration across hospitals, public health partners, policymakers, and local organizations. By integrating prevention into trauma program infrastructure, advocacy efforts, and education, surgeons can move upstream—reducing injury burden before patients ever arrive in the trauma bay.

As Injury Prevention Month reminds us, the work of trauma professionals extends far beyond operative care and resuscitation. Prevention is trauma care, and this episode highlights actionable ways AAST members can strengthen their role as leaders in community health and injury reduction.

In this episode of the AAST Cutting Edge Podcast, hosts Dr. Caroline Park and Dr. Susan Kartiko are joined by members of the AAST DEI Committee to tackle a timely and increasingly relevant topic in surgical education: intergenerational communication in trauma and acute care surgery. As today’s surgical teams span Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z—and soon Gen Alpha—the conversation explores how differences in communication style, feedback expectations, technology use, and learning preferences impact the operating room, trauma bay, research mentorship, and professional development.

The panel discusses practical strategies for high-acuity environments, including expectation-setting during trauma laparotomy, delivering actionable and psychologically safe feedback, structured debriefing, boundary-setting in digital communication, and adapting teaching methods to modern adult learning science. Rather than framing generational differences as barriers, this episode highlights how intentional leadership, emotional intelligence, and inclusive teaching practices can strengthen surgical training, improve team dynamics, and enhance patient care outcomes.

Whether you are a trauma surgeon, surgical educator, residency leader, or trainee, this episode offers actionable insights into mentorship, professionalism, and building high-performing, multigenerational surgical teams.