VCU Medical Center is new headquarters for Pan American Trauma Society

The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center is the new headquarters for the Pan American Trauma Society - the lead organization for the advancement of trauma care systems in the Americas.

The society seeks to improve trauma care by enhancing trauma systems, educating health care personnel and emphasizing injury and violence prevention.

Hosted by the VCU Department of Surgery's Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, the organization is led by Rao Ivatury, M.D., professor in the Department of Surgery, as the executive director, and Michel Aboutanos, M.D., associate professor of surgery, as secretary general.

"The involvement of our young students as future leaders in global problems of injury is an exciting opportunity," said Ivatury.

The society's programs include educational conferences, academic and training courses, peer-reviewed publications, as well as advocacy at the local and national levels.

"The Pan American Trauma Society will open the door at various levels for our faculty and staff to be involved in many important international projects," said Aboutanos. "VCU's International Trauma System Development (ITSDP) Medical School Chapter already has helped establish and lead the PTS medical students committee, providing significant opportunities for our students to be involved in trauma care and system development at the international scene.

"Various opportunities will similarly be available for our fellows and staff to participate in academic and research projects dealing with a wide spectrum of subjects, from primary prevention to critical care management and rehabilitation," he added.

Along with the transition of the headquarters, The Pan American Journal of Trauma also will be under the leadership of Ivatury, who was voted editor-in-chief of the publication.

The organization previously was based for eight years at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania.