STEMS Spring Training

Our STEMS Spring Training continues to grow. We had to close out registration for our ninth-annual Spring Training three weeks before the event. More than 225 EMS providers from across our tri-county area attended the training. The event was held last Friday and Saturday at Premier Banquet Center in Olean. This year’s conference focused on advancements in prehospital care. The post-training participant surveys are very positive. Ninety-three percent of participants rated the conference speaker’s good or excellent and said they benefited from the conference. Ron Hasson of SWREMS volunteered to be our MC. He did a great job introducing the speakers and keeping things moving. I want to thank our STEMS Coordinator Jennifer Budaj for organizing the conference. I also want to thank our presenters: Dr. William J. Flynn, M.D., of ECMC; Donald Trzepacz Jr. of Mercy Flight; Debbie Weaver of Star Flight; EMS Medical Directors Dr. Joe Bart and Dr. Brian Walters; Phil Wilson of WCA Services/ALSTAR EMS; Michael Anderson of the Cattaraugus County CISM Team; Christin Johnson of the Allegany County Crisis Team; and Mary Rollinger of the CISM Teams for Chautauqua County and EMMCO West. I’m also grateful to EMS Medical Director Dr. Henri Lamothe who also visited the conference to meet with local EMS providers. We’re very fortunate to have such dedicated emergency medical professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with the EMS providers who protect our communities.

Happy Easter

You’re receiving my CEO update on Thursday because our offices will be closed on Friday for Easter. I want to wish everyone in the STHCS family a happy Easter and I hope each of you is able to enjoy this time of reflection and renewal with friends and family. As we pursue our mission to improve the health and wellness of the communities we serve, I look forward to meeting the challenges we’ll face together as we move forward. I know there is nothing we can’t accomplish as a team.