Emergency Medicine residents organize medical services for a seminal summer event

Continuing a longstanding tradition, the Department of Emergency Medicine provided medical services for the 2008 Vectren Dayton Air Show the weekend of July 19-20. Led by chief resident Scott Vandehoef, M.D., an extensive team of residents planned, organized, and oversaw services provided by more than 100 medical volunteers from 15 EMS organizations for more than 60,000 attendees.

Over the course of two hot summer days, volunteers assisted more than 150 people in on-site medical tents and arranged for nine to be transported to local hospitals for additional treatment. In addition to volunteering, more than 40 EMS providers, nurses, students, and residents also earned continuing education units (CEU) through training provided by emergency medicine residents using high-tech electronic patient simulators.

Resident Ryan Mihata, M.D., and Mark Gebhart, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine and director of EMS/Medical Readiness and the H.E.L.P. Center, closely supported Vandehoef throughout six months of preparation for the event. Residents Steven Galvin, M.D., and Stephanie Carrion, M.D., developed the CEU training based on scenarios common at public events like the air show, including Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and treating heat stroke. Several volunteers had the opportunity to apply their training nearly immediately by helping air show attendees in need of care.

Pictured left to right: Chris Beechy, Chris Calvert, and Scott Koncal.