2025 Northwest States Trauma Conference

The OHSU Trauma Program is trilled to present the 36th Annual Northwest States Trauma Conference
The Northwest States Trauma Conference was recorded live April 23- 25th at the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon, and offers a wide variety of clinical topics to enhance nursing knowledge and clinical practice in the adult and pediatric critical care, emergency medicine, and acute care units.
Our distinguished national guest speakers are Ms. Sharnae Phagan, MSN, RN, Trauma Program Manager at UChicago Medicine, with over 20 years as an ED Trauma Nurse, and Drs. Matthew Landman, M.D., M.P.H., Pediatric and Thoracic Surgeon, Associate Professor of Surgery and Trauma Medical Director at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health and introducing Justin Regner, M.D. as the new Trauma Medical Director at OHSU coming to us from Baylor, Scott & White Medical Center in Temple Texas where he was the Trauma Medical Director and Division Chief for Trauma & Acute Care Surgery.
- PDFs of the speakers talks (when available)
- 12.5 NCPD contact hours
- Access to the recording of the entire conference
- Recordings will be available to view the first week of June through March 31, 2026
Recordings will be available to view the first week of June through March 1, 2026
12.5 NCPD Contact Hours
Attendees must watch the entire conference and submit an evaluation of the presentation to earn 12.5 NCPD contact hours. Participants who successfully complete the requirements will receive a Certificate of Successful Completion.
OHSU is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Oregon Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Agenda
Comprehensive Management of Pelvic Fractures | Justin Regner, M.D.
In this presentation, Dr. Regner will describe pelvic bone anatomy and fracture patterns, and which patients will benefit from Pelvic Binders. He will review the goals of management in the Prehospital and Trauma Bay, the role of angiography, REBOA, and preperitoneal packing in the unstable patient with pelvic fractures, and the timing of definitive fixation
Trauma Mentor Program: The Leader of the Pack | Sharnae Phagan, MSN, RN
In this presentation, Ms. Phagan will define the Trauma Mentor Program, identify ways to maintain engagement, and provide methods for continuous evaluation and process improvement
Community Injury Prevention: The Plague of Ground Level Falls | Jim Cole, MA, FP-C
This presentation will review the current literature surrounding older adult ground-level falls, discuss the states of intervention from prehospital through rehabilitation, and pertinent interventions, and review current intervention programs and discuss recommendations for prevention
Extreme Sporting Injuries in Central Oregon | MaryClare Sarff, M.D.
This talk will explore the risks and realities of extreme sports injuries, focusing on activities such as downhill mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, rock climbing, off-road vehicle use, and bull riding. The discussion will delve into the types of injuries commonly sustained in each sport. It will also cover the factors that contribute to these injuries, such as high-speed impacts, difficult terrain, and the inherent danger of performing stunts or navigating challenging environments. Additionally, the talk will address the importance of injury prevention strategies, such as proper training, protective gear, and safety protocols, to reduce the risk of harm. this talk aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with extreme sports while promoting safer practices for enthusiasts of all levels
Management of the Pregnant Trauma Patient | Emmanuelle Paré, M.D.
The purpose of this talk is to provide an understanding of the physiologic changes that impact care for the Pregnant Trauma patient, understand the indications, benefits, and techniques for resuscitative hysterotomy, and generate interest about your institutional Pregnant Trauma Protocol
Pain Management in Trauma | Diana Clapp, ACNP
This presentation will explore the complexities of pain management in the trauma patient, highlight the importance of multimodal pain management, and strategies to attempt to minimize opioids
Pediatric Emergency Preparedness – Simple Steps to Save Lives | Matt Landman, M.D.
This lecture will review the Emergency Medical Services for Children program and discuss the important preparedness efforts that should take place in both the pre-hospital and emergency department settings. We will review some data pertaining to outcomes after the implementation of preparedness recommendations. Finally, we will discuss pragmatic steps to improve pediatric outcomes in pre-hospital and ED settings
Management of Opioid Use Disorder | Daniel Hoover, M.D.
Opioid use disorder and non-prescription fentanyl use is driving a public health crisis in the Northwest, affecting all segments of our population. It’s increasingly common to encounter patients screening positive for opioid use, suffering withdrawal, or taking medications for opioid use disorder. Fortunately, these connection points within the health care system offer opportunities to intervene. Are you ready to respond compassionately, and prepared to initiate evidenced-based treatments? This presentation describes a framework for opioid use disorder care in varied medical settings and recommends follow-up education and practice-support opportunities
An Overview of the National Guard CBRNE Response Enterprise | Lt Col Christopher Webb
This presentation will provide awareness and an overview of the National Guard's chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives response teams, which are strategically located throughout the United States
Realism and Resilience: Prognostication in the Gray Zone of Trauma | Mackenzie Cook, M.D
In this session, participants will explore the art and science of prognostication in critically ill trauma patients, with a focus on those with devastating injuries such as profound hemorrhagic shock, severe traumatic brain injury, and complex infectious complications. Learners will develop a nuanced understanding of how to balance clinical realism with therapeutic optimism—recognizing when aggressive support may lead to meaningful recovery, and when it may not. We will discuss how biases (both nihilistic and overly optimistic) influence our bedside assessments, and how prognostication is not a one-time event but a dynamic process that should guide decision-making in partnership with patients and families. Finally, participants will examine how trauma teams can integrate palliative principles into their daily practice—communicating with clarity, avoiding harm through misaligned interventions, and preserving dignity while continuing to fight for recovery
Full Send Your Trauma Patient | Torree McGowan, M.D.
Trauma care in rural areas depends heavily on a hub and spoke model, with trauma centers forming the central receiving facility for multiple smaller facilities that are often hundreds of miles distant. Caring for trauma patients in rural facilities without surgical backup creates unique challenges for evaluation, stabilization, and preparation for safe air and ground transport. Dr. McGowan will draw on her years of experience in critical access hospitals, training as a Critical Care Air Transport Team member, and multiple combat deployments to help your trauma system optimize care for the next patient who presents to your rural facility and requires a full send to the trauma center
Risk, Discomfort and Reward - Surgical Care in the Austere Environment | John Fletcher, M.D.
This presentation will define the austere environment, why austere surgery is necessary, and the challenges inherent in providing optimal care in suboptimal circumstances
Why Do I Feel This Way… Provider Trauma | Sharnae Phagan, MSN, RN
This presentation will define provider trauma (burnout, PTSD, compassion fatigue), recognize risk factors, signs and symptoms, and identify strategies to prevent and overcome the well-being of healthcare workers and ultimately improve patient outcomes
The Crisis of Emergency Department Overcrowding: High Impact Solutions | Obert Xu, MBBS, BSN
This presentation will discuss Emergency Department overcrowding, why it is significant, what are the causes of crowding, and discuss high-impact solutions
Pediatric Trauma Evaluation and Management – A Case-Based Discussion | Matt Landman, M.D.
This lecture will utilize pediatric cases from an American College of Surgeons Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center to highlight some important pediatric specific aspects of evaluation and early pediatric trauma patient management. Topics discussed will include whole blood in pediatric patients, use of tranexamic acid, crystalloid fluid resuscitation, and damage control resuscitation
Trauma Scene Management Outside the Box "This wasn't covered in the protocols" | LT. Sean Fogarty
This talk will cover various approaches to managing challenging scenes in the field. It will use real case studies to methodically discuss processes beginning with training and preparation through tapout, arrival on scene, management of resources, liaising with partners at other agencies, transfer of care to the hospital, follow up on outcomes, supporting bystanders and responders, and processing and communicating lessons learned to improve future responses. The primary case study will be an impalement case that occurred near Emanuel Hospital in August 2023. Relevant protocols, treatment, and medication options, and the potential need for technical rescue and field surgical response will be presented as well. The goals and objectives of the talk are to review a notable case and lessons learned, encourage development of potential resource needs within attendees' local operations, and to promote a team approach to problem solving on behalf of our patients
Tag Team Trauma in the Wild East (of the Cascades) | MaryClare Sarff, M.D. & Torree McGowan, M.D
Drs. MaryClare Sarff, trauma surgeon, and Torree McGowan, emergency medicine physician, with the St. Charles Health System, will discuss a difficult pediatric trauma cases and the issues that impacted transfer decisions, including transport options, time to critical interventions, and the resource limitations in critical access hospitals who rely on transfers to larger transfer centers for definitive pediatric care
Speakers
National Guest Speakers

Matthew Landman, M.D., M.P.H.
Pediatric and Thoracic Surgeon, Associate Professor of Surgery and Trauma Medical Director at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Dr. Matt Landman is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the IU School of Medicine and Trauma Medical Director at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. He is a native of rural Iowa and attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, for his undergraduate education. He graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in biology with a minor in chemistry. He attended Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. Following the completion of medical school, he continued his training in the general surgery residency program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During this residency, he also completed a Masters of Public Health degree through Vanderbilt University. He then completed a pediatric general and thoracic surgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He is board-certified in adult and pediatric general surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Indiana Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the IN State Trauma Commission.

Sharnae Phagan, MSN, RN
Trauma Program Manager at UChicago Medicine
As an ED/trauma nurse, Ms. Phagan has with over 20 years’ experience treating critically ill trauma patients. Her nursing and Trauma Program Manager experience has helped her team achieve and maintain trauma program goals such as state trauma center verification, performance improvement, patient safety initiatives, trauma education, outreach and prevention strategies. Ms. Phagan has developed the Trauma Mentor Program as a way to ensure patients are receiving high quality care while fostering growth and confidence within the team members who care for trauma patients.

Justin Regner, M.D.
Trauma Medical Director, Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, School of Medicine, Surgery Core Clinical Experience Director, OHSU
Justin L. Regner, MD, FACS joined OHSU’s Level 1 Trauma Center as the Trauma Medical Director in 2025. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery for the Department of Surgery at OHSU. Dr. Regner’s career is focused on the critical patient through education, research, process improvement and surgical quality outcomes. He is certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Surgical Critical Care.
Dr. Regner previously served as the Trauma Medical Director and Division Chief for Trauma & Acute Care Surgery at Baylor, Scott & White Medical Center -Temple’s Level 1 Trauma Center from 2015 – 2024. He has held several other leadership positions, including Associate Program Director for General Surgery at BSW from 2012-2022, the Medical Director for the Texas ACS-TQIP Collaborative from 2018 – 2023, and State Chair for South Texas ACS-Committee on Trauma from 2022 – 2024. He also enjoys serving the Multi-Center Trials and Research Committee for the Southwest Surgical Congress.
Dr. Regner earned his M.D. from Texas Tech University Health Science Center in Lubbock in 2003, graduating as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and Top Ten Medical Graduate. General Surgery Residency was with the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, AR where he received multiple awards for surgical service and research. He then completed a fellowship in Trauma & Surgical Critical Care at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in San Diego, CA in 2011.
Local Speakers

Diana Clapp, ACNP
Instructor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Advanced Practice Provider, Pain, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, OHSU
Diana found her love of healthcare as an EMT and then Paramedic in College. She completed her BSN and DNP at the University of Maryland in 2003 and 2018 respectively. In between these studies, she enjoyed 4 years in the trauma ICU at John Hopkins Bayview as well as 10 years in the Trauma Resuscitation Unit at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. She moved to Oregon in 2018 and joined the OHSU Trauma Acute Care team as a Nurse Practitioner. For the past 2 years, she’s worked with the Adult Pain service at OHSU. In 2023, she also joined the faculty for the OHSU School of Nursing for the Adult Gerontologic Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. When not at the hospital or teaching, she can be found hiking with her rescue pup Koa or throwing pottery!

Jim Cole, MA, FP-C
Injury Prevention Coordinator & Trauma Educator for PeaceHealth Riverbend
Jim Cole is a highly skilled emergency services professional with 40 years of experience in critical care, 9-1-1, and medevac services. He holds a bachelor's degree in Community Health and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration. Jim's extensive career includes roles as a practitioner, educator, and administrator, with expertise in trauma and pediatrics.
Currently, Jim serves full-time as Injury Prevention Coordinator/Trauma Educator for PeaceHealth Riverbend Trauma Center with a focus on older adult and pediatric injury prevention as well as providing trauma education courses and continuing education to all levels of caregivers.

Mackenzie Cook, M.D.
Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, Surgery Core Clinical Experience Director, Surgery, OHSU
Dr. Mackenzie Cook is a trauma surgeon within the division of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery with an additional clinical focus on advanced Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) management and transport as well as surgical stabilization of rib fractures. He is the medical student clerkship director and has a strong research interest in surgical education. His clinical research focuses on the long term outcomes after injury and approaches to optimize recovery after traumatic injury.
Dr. Cook was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in a small town in Connecticut. He attended college at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and then spent a year backpacking and skiing in Utah before attending medical school at Duke University in Durham, NC. He spent his dedicated research year in medical school at the University of Wisconsin in the endocrine surgery lab as a Howard Hughes medical scholar. He then headed west for residency at OHSU, graduating in 2016 from the general surgery residency program. Following residency, Dr. Cook completed a surgical critical care fellowship at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA in 2017.
Dr. Cook lives in Portland with his wife Crystal, their three kids and two rambunctious dogs. Avid hikers, skiers and climbers, the Cook family is happy to call Portland home.

Maj. John Fletcher
Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, OHSU
Dr. Fletcher is an active‐duty US Army trauma and acute care surgeon who holds academic appointments at both Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). Currently assigned to the military‐civilian partnership program at OHSU, Dr. Fletcher began his career in medicine with nearly ten years as a civilian fire‐fighter/paramedic and SWAT medic in Southern Arizona. His interest in austere medicine and surgery began while growing up in Africa watching his missionary surgeon father. He completed residency in General Surgery and Fellowships in Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center. He has worked as a General Surgeon, a Trauma Surgeon and as the Chief of General Surgery. His service has permitted him to perform surgery on three continents and he has deployed in support of Special Operations Command ‐ Africa. His clinical, academic and research interests include austere surgery, chest wall injury and blood product resuscitation.

Lt. Sean Fogarty
Public Information Officer, Station 24, Portland Fire & Rescue
Portland Fire & Rescue Lieutenant/Paramedic Sean Fogarty began his fire service career as a Rogue River Hotshot in 2001. He currently serves on Engine 24 in North Portland as a member of the Land Based Marine program, working with regional partners from other agencies to prepare and train for ship fires. Prior to that, he was a member of the Technical Rescue Team and a Training Officer for new firefighters at Portland Fire's training station. He helped develop a first-of-its-kind Crisis Intervention for Firefighters curriculum and performs with the Portland Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums Band. Lt. Fogarty was also honored to be named the 2023 Portland Firefighter of the Year.

Daniel Hoover, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, OHSU
Dr. Hoover specializes in the care of persons with substance use disorders, including withdrawal management services, medication to support recovery, and complex care coordination. Dr. Hoover chose this field to help expand access to life-saving medications to treat opioid use disorder and to advocate for better community care and outcomes for persons who use substances. He enjoys forming deep relationships with his patients and partnering alongside them on the profound, personal, and spiritual journey of recovery. His academic interests include education and dissemination of best practices for substance use care, and substance use care within the criminal justice system.
Dr. Hoover's personal interests include taking his 3 children hiking and exploring nature parks around the Portland area, birdwatching / bird photography, and strategy board games. He also loves cooking for his family, especially authentic Mexican recipes, curries, and homemade ice cream.

Torree McGowan, M.D.
Emergency Medicine, St. Charles Redmond
Dr. Torree McGowan, MD, FACEP, graduated from Oregon Health and Science University and completed her emergency medicine residency with the US Air Force. A combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, she retired after 27 years of service in the active and reserve Air Force components. Now at St. Charles Medical Group in Central Oregon, she is a nationally recognized expert in disaster preparedness and mass casualty response, serving on national committees with the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Emmanuelle Paré, M.D.
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OHSU
Dr. Emmanuelle Paré (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor of OBGYN at OHSU, in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. She is the co-Director of OHSU Maternal Cardiac Program and the Director of the OBGYN Residency OB Simulation curriculum. She enjoys taking care of patients with cardiac and other complex medical issues which require multidisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration. She is passionate about maternal health, health equity and reproductive justice.

MaryClare Sarff, M.D.
Associate Trauma Medical Director, Medical Director of the Surgical ICU, and Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgeon, St. Charles Medical Center, Bend
Dr. MaryClare Sarff is an Acute Care Surgeon with 15 years of experience in trauma and emergency surgery. She is board-certified in Surgical Critical Care and currently serves as a key member of the medical staff at St. Charles Health System in Bend, OR, a 200-bed Level II trauma center serving central and eastern Oregon. In her leadership roles, Dr. Sarff serves as the Surgical ICU Medical Director and the Associate Trauma Medical Director. Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Sarff is deeply involved in healthcare advocacy, serving as the Vice Chair of the Oregon Committee on Trauma, where she focuses on advancing trauma care policies and improving patient outcomes. Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Sarff is passionate about a variety of activities including her own personal fitness, playing her grand piano, Bernard, and spending time on the water, paddleboarding with her husband, Maurice, and their dog, Shady. Dr. Sarff is dedicated to providing exceptional care and leadership while maintaining a well-rounded and fulfilling personal life.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Webb
Commander of the 142nd Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) at Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore.
As a member of the command staff of the Oregon CERFP, he oversees operations of a 56-person Air National Guard emergency medical response force. Additionally, he is responsible for both short and long-range organizational planning to include developing the squadron training calendar, designing mass-casualty exercises, and collaborating with local, state, and federal emergency services to ensure readiness for joint response to disaster situations involving mass medical casualties.
Lt Col Webb entered the Air Force Reserve in September 1997 and completed training as an enlisted aerospace medical technician in April 1998. He transferred to the Air National Guard in September 2001. He was promoted to Technical Sergeant in August 2003 before taking time away from the military to pursue graduate studies. Lt Col Webb completed his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Kentucky in July 2003. His bachelor degree is in Psychology, completed in May 1997 also at the University of Kentucky. Prior to his current position, he served as a physician assistant on the CERFP team, providing medical care to victims of mass-casualty disasters. Other leadership positions he has held in the 142nd CERFP include Flight Commander of the CERFP Search and Extraction Flight, Director of Operations, and Deputy Commander.
Lt Col Webb has previously commanded a delegation of U.S. emergency medical providers to Long Bien Vietnam where his team trained with the Vietnamese military in emergency response protocols. He has been activated in a leadership role for a number of statewide emergencies to include wildland firefighting and COVID-19 pandemic response. In the summer of 2021, he was also activated to serve as the interim Oregon State Medical Planner to coordinate military support of the state’s COVID-19 response efforts. Lt Col Webb also serves as the lead medical planner for Oregon’s State Partnership Program with Vietnam and Bangladesh, a position that he has held since 2019. As lead medical planner, Lt Col Webb plans and coordinates global events that foster a positive working relationship between partner nations and the U.S. military. In Vietnam, he served as the lead planner in a multi-agency project to establish the first International Trauma Life Support training chapter in Vietnam to support their United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. He is currently working to do the same in Bangladesh.
In his civilian career, Lt Col Webb has worked as a physician assistant in general, bariatric, oncological, and endocrine surgery for the past eight years. Prior to his current position, he worked in orthopedic surgery for eleven years. He has completed a surgical fellowship in orthopedics at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in Chicago, Illinois, then later became Director of that program. He is also a co-founder of a PathFinderEX, a non-profit organization that teaches disaster response principles and practices to individuals and organizations.

Obert Xu, MBBS, BSN
Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Administrative Fellow, Department of Emergency Medicine, OHSU
Obert Xu, MBBS, BSN completed medical school at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia and residency training in Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. He is currently an Administrative Fellow in Emergency Medicine and completing a Master of Business Administration degree at Oregon Health and Science University.
Dr. Xu has a well-rounded, interdisciplinary background, with over ten years of experience in the healthcare industry. He has worked in multiple healthcare systems in both the United States and Australia. He spent six of those years as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse, and more recently as an Emergency Medicine Physician. He currently practices in the academic and community settings, and previously in the critical-access rural setting.
He has served on and led many departmental, institutional and national committees focused on quality improvement, patient safety, operations and education. He has a passion for collaborative interdisciplinary team-based work to solve complex healthcare challenges. His project portfolio includes work focused on Emergency Department throughput, physician scheduling innovation, physician-in-triage workflow implementation, transition of care optimization, physician documentation development, psychiatric care improvement, Emergency Department-based buprenorphine induction pathways, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives. His research interests include metric-driven work in operations, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
Recordings from our 2024 conferences are available for continuing education credits

Register to watch the recordings of this year's Fall Trauma Nursing Conference!
The 29th annual Fall Trauma Nursing Conference was recorded live on October 19th and offers a wide variety of clinical topics to enhance nursing knowledge and clinical practice in the adult and pediatric critical care, emergency medicine, and acute care units. Featuring International, regional, and local speakers.
Our distinguished national guest speakers this year are Katherine Joseph, BS, MPH, with the Trauma Survivors Network, and Maria Bautista Durand, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CPNP-PC from Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Registration is $75 and includes:
- PDFs of the speakers' talks (when available)
- 7.25 NCPD with up to 0.75 pharmacotherapeutic NCPD contact hours
- Access to the recording of the entire conference
- Recordings will be available to view the week of November 25, 2024, through September 19, 2025
If you registered and attended the conference live, email Elizabeth at traumaeducation@ohsu.edu for the link to the conference site.
OHSU is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Oregon Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation #4003172.