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.

Kicking off the 2026 season of the AAST Cutting Edge Podcast, new hosts Dr. Caroline Park and Dr. Susan Kartiko launch this inaugural episode with a timely discussion on pediatric readiness in adult trauma centers. Joined by pediatric surgery leader Dr. Barbara Gaines, they explore the Pediatric Readiness Project, trauma verification requirements, and how emergency departments can strengthen preparedness for critically ill and injured children through structured assessment, process improvement, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The episode highlights practical strategies including weight-based medication dosing in kilograms, pediatric airway and equipment readiness, imaging protocols, identification of Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECs), and partnership across trauma surgery, emergency medicine, pharmacy, and radiology—especially critical for rural and underserved hospitals where most children first present for care.

Keywords:
pediatric readiness, trauma care, emergency department, assessment, implementation, healthcare, children's health, trauma centers, medical education, pediatric emergency care, surgery

In this episode, AAST Disaster Committee Chair Dr. Adam Fox discusses the intersection of trauma surgery, disaster response, emergency management, and prehospital care. He outlines how trauma surgeons contribute across the continuum of care during mass casualty incidents, hurricanes, earthquakes, critical care transport operations, and austere environments. He highlights the skillset required for field trauma care, critical care stabilization, crush injury management, amputations, ICU-level transport, and providing both surgical and primary care support during large-scale disasters.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Seamon discusses the multifaceted role of a Trauma Medical Director (TMD), emphasizing the importance of communication, leadership, and continuous improvement in clinical care. He shares insights from his own journey, the influences that shaped his career, and the challenges and rewards of the position. Dr. Seamon highlights the necessity of a growth mindset and the value of introspection in enhancing both personal and team performance in trauma care.

Keywords: Trauma Medical Director, leadership, communication, medical education, performance improvement, mentorship, growth mindset, clinical care, trauma surgery, professional development

In this episode of The Cutting Edge, AAST President Dr. Ronald Stewart discusses the complexities of being a trauma surgeon, including the emotional challenges of delivering bad news, the importance of team support, and the role of forgiveness in personal and professional growth. He emphasizes the duality of the profession, where joy and sorrow coexist, and shares insights on how to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and respect. The conversation also touches on the necessity of compartmentalization and the continuous journey of performance improvement in the medical field.

In this conversation, Dr. Kimberly Davis discusses the origins and evolution of the Women in Trauma Surgery (WITS) program, highlighting its role in fostering community, mentorship, and support among women in the field of trauma surgery. The discussion covers the challenges faced during the pandemic, the importance of building relationships, and the growth of WITS into a significant network for women in surgery.

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Stassen discusses the Emergency Surgery Course, its history, target audience, and the interactive learning experience it offers. The course aims to provide a comprehensive background in emergency surgery for general surgeons, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective patient care. Dr. Stassen highlights the course's global reach, flexible structure, and the collaborative learning environment that enhances the educational experience for participants.