Clifton Callaway, MD, PhD, presented the 43rd Peter and Eva Safar Lecture. His presentation was titled “Impact of Withdrawal of Life Support on Resuscitation Science.” Dr. Callaway, Distinguished Professor and Executive Vice Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine was only the third Pitt faculty member to ever present the Safar lecture.
The 21st Annual Safar Symposium was held at the University of Pittsburgh on April 25 and 26, 2024. The morning of the first day of the symposium was held at the University Club and addressed the “Continuum of Care in the Treatment of Hypoxic Ischemic Insults.” It was followed at noon by the 43rd Peter and Eva Safar Lecture for the Sciences and Humanities, given by Dr. Clifton Callaway. An afternoon Trainee Research Day session featured 38 oral and poster presentations by trainees from the departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Neurological Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. On day two, the symposium moved to the Winter Institute for Simulation Education and Research and addressed the topic of “Simulation and Patient Safety.” There were over 225 virtual and in-person registrants. Selected highlights are shown below.
Dr. Jed Hartings, Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Cincinnati presenting at the morning session on the Continuum of care in the treatment of hypoxic ischemic brain injury. The session included presentations by four additional expert faculty including Abbot Laptook, MD from Brown University, Eng Lo, PhD from Harvard University, Ericka Fink, MD, MS from the University of Pittsburgh, and Beth Slomine, PhD, from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The session also featured a trainee presentation by T32 scholar Caitlin McNamara, MD.
Caitlin McNamara, MD received the 22nd annual Nancy Caroline award presented by Safar Center Director Patrick Kochanek, MD, to the top trainee at the Safar Center in 2024. Dr. McNamara’s research focuses on the neurocritical care of infants who are victims of brain injury from child abuse.
Vincent Vagni (left) received the 5th annual S. William Stezoski Award for Technician Excellence at the Safar Center presented by Safar Center director Dr. Kochanek. Vincent has co-authored over 40 publications during his career as a technician.
Sarvesh Acharya presenting his poster to judge Anthony Kline, PhD at the Trainees Research Day session. Sarvesh won the top prize for poster presentation in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. A total of 33 poster and 4 oral presentations were given by trainees from five departments. Additional winners included Eleni Moschonas for top oral presentation, Sarah Svirsky for second prize oral presentation, Daniella Gil for second prize poster in Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and top departmental poster awards to Ivan Saraiva in Critical Care Medicine, Victor Wu in Emergency Medicine, Samuel Adida in Neurological Surgery, and Eleni Moschonas in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Speakers and moderators from the session on Simulation and Patient Safety at the Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research. From left to right Charles Lin, MD, MSc, Joseph Goode, Jr, PhD, BA, CRNA, CHSE, Paul Phrampus, MD, CPE, Lisa Sinz, MD, Med, FCCM, FSSH, Lisa Barker, MD, MHPE, DipABLM, Rachel Honodel, BSN, RN Moriah Adams, BSN, RN, John O’Donnell, DrPh, CRNA, and Patrick Kochanek, MD, MCCM.