Mercy College of Health Sciences 18th Annual Research Symposium: Helping Medical Professionals and First Responders Process Trauma
Registration |
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Before enrolling in this educational activity, you must log in or create an account. If you have questions about the Symposium, please contact Dr. Ryan Marr, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at [email protected] or 515-643-6679. |
Call for Poster Abstract
The planning committee for the Mercy College of Health Sciences 18th Annual Research Symposium invites you to submit a poster abstract. The Symposium will provide an engaging forum for discussing the latest opportunities, resources, and strategies for helping medical professionals and first responders process trauma.
The committee is looking for poster abstract proposals on medical professional and first responder trauma topics. We are also open to healthcare-related projects, even if they do not directly address the Symposium's main theme. The Symposium is an excellent opportunity to share your work with colleagues from diverse healthcare fields.
The committee is particularly interested in poster abstracts dealing with research issues in the following areas:
- Trauma-informed care
- Mental health and PTSD
- Complex and compound trauma
- Holistic health and healing
- Support structures for trauma care
- Best practice trauma healthcare protocols
Important Dates
- Abstract submission deadline: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 11:59 pm CT
- Final instructions via email: Thursday, March 27, 2025. All poster abstracts are invited to participate in the Symposium. No financial compensation is provided.
PURPOSE
This symposium focuses on supporting medical professionals and first responders in navigating and processing trauma. The primary objective of this event is to educate participants and foster meaningful discussions on strategies and resources for addressing trauma among these essential professionals.
Educational Need
Current practices often fail to provide sufficient mental health resources and strategies to healthcare providers and first responders for managing trauma. This gap exists due to limited training, stigma around seeking mental health support, and a lack of organizational emphasis on wellness and resilience programs. This symposium aims to close these gaps by educating on trauma recovery and resilience strategies, fostering dialogue among professionals, and equipping participants with actionable tools to implement in their organizations. The ultimate goal is to enhance the well-being and effectiveness of medical professionals and first responders, improving patient outcomes and team performance.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the effects of vicarious trauma on healthcare professionals and first responders.
- Compare different organizational approaches to supporting trauma recovery among first responders.
- Recognize the importance of seeking peer support for managing stress and trauma.
- Advocate for the inclusion of resilience training in healthcare and emergency response curricula.
Agenda
All times listed are in Central Time. The agenda is subject to change.
Time | Session |
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12:00 pm | Registration and Poster Viewing |
1:00 pm | Healing Moral Injury in Healthcare Professionals Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD
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2:00 pm | Vicarious Trauma: The Cost of Caring and the Power of Prevention Autumn Brunia, DO
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3:00 pm | Panel Discussion: Helping Medical Professionals and First Responders Process Trauma Daniel Defenbaugh David Filipp, EdD, PM Sheila Russell, LISW, CADC
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4:00 pm | Adjourn |

Autumn Brunia, DO
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Medicine, Medical Humanities and Bioethics, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences
Daniel Defenbaugh
President and Founder of 10-42 Project
David Filipp, EdD, PM
Chair of the Paramedic Program, Mercy College of Health Sciences
Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center
Sheila Russell, LISW, CADC
Clinical Psychiatric Social Worker, Front Line Therapy
Accreditation Statements
- MD: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) through the joint providership of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) and Mercy College of Health Sciences. DMU designates this live activity for 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- DO: Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this activity for a maximum of 3.0 AOA Category 2-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.
- Nurses: Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is Iowa Board of Nursing approved provider #112. This activity has been reviewed and approved for 3.0 continuing education contact hour(s). Nurses must attend the entire session to receive credit. Partial session credit is prohibited and will be forfeited.
- Other healthcare providers: This activity is designated for 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.
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Educational Grants
No ineligible company provided financial support for this continuing education activity.
Disclosures
The speaker(s) will disclose if any pharmaceuticals, medical procedures, or devices discussed are investigational or unapproved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The activity director is responsible for determining educational content and selecting speakers.
Relevant to the content of this educational activity, the following individual(s) have no conflict(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
- Autumn Brunia, DO - Speaker
- Daniel Defenbaugh - Panel Speaker
- David Filipp, EdD, PM - Panel Speaker
- Archana Indira - Planning Committee Member
- Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD - Speaker
- Ryan Marr, PhD, MDiv - Activity Director and Planning Committee Member
- Joseph Moravec, MA, MDiv, DMin - Planning Committee Member
- Sheila Russell, LISW, CADC - Panel Speaker
- Theresa Smith, PhD, MSN, RN - Planning Committee Member
- Rebecca Steidl, PhD - Planning Committee Member
Disclaimer
The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only. It is not a substitute for a healthcare provider's independent medical judgment regarding diagnostic and treatment options for a specific patient's medical condition.
Available Credit
- 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- 3.00 AOA Category 2A
- 3.00 CE Contact Hour(s)
- 3.00 IBON