In the Arena

In this episode of EAST In the Arena, Dr. Toba Bolaji, Dr. Katie Riera, Dr. Andrea Tsoris, and Dr. Jeremy Levin sit down with Dr. Amanda Teichman of Rutgers University for an engaging conversation on the complex and critically important issue of intimate partner violence. Together, they explore how Dr. Teichman's center has worked to thoughtfully integrate screening into the trauma evaluation process, the multidisciplinary stakeholders required to make that effort successful, and the real-world impact these initiatives can have on the care of a particularly vulnerable patient population. This episode highlights both the challenges and opportunities in identifying and supporting patients experiencing intimate partner violence, while offering listeners valuable insight into how trauma centers can play a meaningful role in addressing this important public health issue.

Join the EAST In the Arena Crew/Drs. Tsoris, Levin, and Murali as they talk with Dr. Caitlin Fitzgerald of East Carolina University about managing non-destructive traumatic colon injuries and leading an EAST multi-center retrospective study. Dr. Fitzgerald describes how training differences sparked the question, how early single-center data suggested primary repair improved morbidity compared with resection, and how she conducted her first multi-center trial.

In this episode of EAST In the Arena, co-hosts Dr. Jeremy Levin and Dr. Shyam Murali explore the intersection of AI and patient education with Dr. Bahaa Succar and Dr. Linda Dultz from UT Southwestern. They discuss the innovative use of AI platforms to enhance the readability of patient education materials, particularly for underserved trauma populations. The conversation delves into the methods used to ensure the accuracy and simplicity of the information, the specific challenges faced by trauma patients, and the potential for AI to complement and empower healthcare delivery. 

In this episode of EAST in the Arena, hosts Dr. Katie Riera and Dr. Shyam Murali, live from the 38th (2025) EAST Annual Scientific Assembly, delve into the complexities surrounding emergency department (ED) thoracotomies and organ donation with Dr. Danielle Brabender and Dr. Matt Martin from USC. They explore institutional practices, the impact on survival and organ donation rates, and the controversial aspects of balancing patient care with societal benefits. Highlighting the importance of guidelines, resource use, and the training environment, the episode provides a thorough examination of the subject's intricacies.

Join the ITA fam as we talk with Dr. Daniel Lollar, an associate professor of surgery at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, about his work in optimizing the trauma bay through simulation and human factors engineering. The discussion explores the impact of structural constraints on trauma care and how Dr. Lollar, along with a multidisciplinary team, used engineering and simulation to optimize a new trauma bay. Key points include the importance of space and equipment placement in trauma bays, the iterative design process using simulations, and the methodologies like link analysis, bump analysis, and crossover analysis to enhance efficiency and safety. The episode also touches on the substantial cost savings achieved and the broader implications of this approach in healthcare facility design. 

Manuscript Citation: Scarboro DB, Jones NA, Wolf LD, Collier BR, Lollar DI. Using Human Factors Engineering to Enhance New Trauma Bay Effectiveness. J Surg Res. 2025 Sep 10;315:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.08.003. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40934853. 

Join the EAST In the Arena crew as they talk about the trauma systems in Canada with Dr. Evan Wong of McGill University and Dr. Nori Bradley of the University of British Columbia. We will compare and contrast the Canadian Trauma System with the U.S., the size and scope of rural trauma in Canada, and the unique aspects of a nationalized system of care! 

Do job interviews give you palpitations like the oral boards did? Wondering how to find the right fit? Wish you could read minds and know what to say? Well, this comes pretty close. Join Drs. Shyam Murali, Hassan Mashbari and Prerna Ladha as they get candid advice from Drs. Eileen Bulger, Mayur Patel, Michael Cripps, Jeffery Claridge, Marty Schreiber, Rishi Rattan and Ben Zarzaur.

Join the ITA crew as we chat with Dr. Jonathan Meizoso from the University of Miami and Ryder Trauma Center as he discusses his journey from fellowship training in Denver to his research and work at Ryder Trauma Center. Our conversation delves into the importance of prioritizing circulation over airway management in trauma patients, particularly those in hemorrhagic shock. The discussion highlights the need to revamp traditional ATLS guidelines and the challenges of implementing new practices in diverse medical environments. Key insights include the impact of intubation timing on patient outcomes and the role of effective communication and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing trauma care. 

Recorded live at the 37th (2024) EAST Annual Scientific Assembly, this episode spotlights Dr. Allyson Hynes and her leap from emergency medicine to surgical critical care. Join the ITA crew as they dissect SCC training models for EM-intensivist and how EM‑trained intensivists amplify trauma capacity. Catch fast‑paced career tips and future‑focused insights on hybrid trauma practice.

Join the hosts of EAST: In the Arena and Careercast in this special Combocast! as they talk with Dr. Alison Wilson, Chief of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at West Virginia University, about how she is leveraging the resources and expertise in trauma and critical care at her home shop to empower local and regional hospitals to care for their communities. 

EAST In The Arena - https://www.east.org/education-resources/inthearena

EAST Careercasts - https://www.east.org/career-development/careercasts