In collaboration with “HuSoMe. Ukraine” and with the support of American College of Surgeons, we invite you for training course:
“Polytrauma: Principles of the first stage of surgical damage control in torso trauma (with an emphasis on practical skills)”
The course is focused on training surgeons who are deployed as surgical professionals to field and frontline hospitals. The program is aimed at teaching and practicing hand-on skills in initial resuscitation and the initial surgical interventions in torso trauma in combat situations. The program is based on the protocols of Damage Control Surgery in accordance with the program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
The course includes:
– Didactics on methods of initial resuscitation of the injured: massive hemotransfusion protocol, resuscitation according to the Damage Control protocol and the use of whole blood and red blood cell mass.
– Didactics following by practical surgical training in abdominal injuries: methods of bleeding control in pelvic fractures, assessment of abdominal organs in closed abdominal trauma, laparotomy according to the principle of damage control and the initial stage of surgical correction in cases of injuries to large vessels, liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines.
– Didactics following by practical surgical training in chest injuries: techniques for surgical correction of lung injuries, penetrating heart injuries, esophageal injuries, diaphragm injuries.
– Didactics following by practical surgical training on temporary closure of the abdominal wall.
Training schedule:
- May 13, 2025 – didactics in Sheptytskyy Centre of Ukrainian Catholic University
- May 14, 2025 – hands-on session for group #1 (Simulation Centre of Danilo Halytsky LNMU)
- May 15, 2025 – hands-on session for group #2 (Simulation Centre of Danilo Halytsky LNMU)
Training speakers:
Dr. Benjie Christie is a double-boarded, trauma/critical care and general surgeon in Macon, GA. He has been a trauma surgical attending at a high volume, Level I Trauma Center and academic teaching facility from the inception of his professional career, nearly fifteen years ago. Dr. Christie graduated from the University of Georgia with a double major in biology and biochemistry. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the Mercer University School of Medicine and went on to complete his surgical training at the Medical Center, Mercer University School of Medicine, an ACS verified level 1 Trauma Center. At completion of his training, Dr. Christie was invited to join the teaching faculty of the Medical Center, now Atrium Health Navicent. Dr Christie is an attending trauma/critical care and general surgeon, the Program Director for General Surgery, and the Fellowship Director for Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at Atrium Health Navicent and the Mercer University School of Medicine. Additionally, he is the Associate Director of Trauma, an Associate Professor of Surgery for the Mercer University School of Medicine, and the incoming Chief of Staff at Atrium Health Navicent, the second largest hospital in the state of Georgia.
Dr. Christie is the current President of the Georgia Society of the American College of Surgeons, the Chair of the Georgia Committee on Trauma, a Governor to the American College of Surgeons, where he serves on the education pillar. Dr. Christie is a member of the American Board of Surgery, where he serves as an associate examiner overseeing the certification of United States surgeons. Dr. Christie is an active member of numerous professional societies and an editorial board member for the American Surgeon. He has generated a multitude of clinical publications, book chapters, and professional testing content. Dr. Christie’s research interests include chest wall reconstruction, slipped rib syndrome, and anomalies of the costal margin.
Dr. Bruce Ong received his BA degree in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College in 1996 and his MPH in Public Health and Health Policy at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University in 2000. He earned his MD degree from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, GA in 2004. Dr. Ong entered military service in the United States Army as a Captain and completed his pediatrics residency at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (2004-07). He was subsequently assigned as a flight surgeon to 603rd ASB, 3CAB, 3ID at Hunter Army Airfield, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom VII-VIII (2007-2008).
In 2009, Dr. Ong attended a pediatric pulmonology fellowship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (2009-2012). After graduation, he was assigned to Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) as a staff pediatric pulmonologist and shortly thereafter deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan as a battalion field Surgeon with 4-9 IN (Manchu), 4-2 SBCT, 2ID (2013). After leaving TAMC in 2018, Dr. Ong attended an Allergy and Immunology fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (2018-2020). He returned to TAMC in 2020 and joined the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine as the only pediatric pulmonologist and allergist/immunologist in the Department of Defense. Dr. Ong was selected as the Deputy Commander for Medical Services at TAMC in 2022 and led the Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Behavioral Health, and Public Health.
Dr. Ong is the recipient of several academic awards and has authored book chapters and published original research and review articles in both pediatric pulmonology and allergy andimmunology. He is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric pulmonology, and allergy andimmunology, and is a member of multiple executive board committees including the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Heidi Haun is a general surgeon who has been working at the Baptist Medical Center in Nalerigu, Ghana, since 2014. Her scope of practice includes patients of all ages, general surgery, trauma, minor orthopedic, and tropical medicine. She has immense experience as a practicing clinician, diagnostic, and surgeon in austere environments. Additionally, Dr. Haun is a facile surgical educator as she mentors and teaches students at near every professional level who rotate with her for global surgery experience. She earned her medical degree at the University of South Florida and completed her residency training in general surgery at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. She worked at Crisp Regional Hospital as a fellow in the American College of Surgeons’ pilot year for the Transition to Practice fellowship. She is a Fellow of the ACS and certified through the American Board of Surgery.
Dr. Nehal Ninad is a chief surgical resident at Atrium Health Navicent and the Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia. Dr. Ninad completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern Indiana where he majored in Biochemistry and graduated Magna Cum Lade. He received his Medical Doctorate from Indiana University. Dr. Ninad will begin a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship in August at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Ninad has trained at a high volume, ACS verified Level I Trauma Center for five years, where he has developed a clinical interest in the care of critical trauma patients, operative management of abdominal and chest trauma. In addition to trauma, Dr Ninad also has a scholastic interest in the surgical management of complex abdominal oncology. He has presented original research at numerous professional venues throughout the United States and authored multiple articles in the realm of trauma surgery.
Dr. Paul Cartwright is currently a chief surgical resident at Atrium Health Navicent and the Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia. Dr. Cartwright received his undergraduate degree from DePauw University, where he majored in biology and was a scholar athlete playing football. He then completed his Medical Doctorate with Trinity School of Medicine in St. Vincent. Dr. Cartwright did a surgical internship at the University of Illinois and completed his surgical training at Atrium Health Navicent, Mercer University School of Medicine. Dr. Cartwright has presented his clinical research at the state, local, and national levels, and his scholastic interests include innovations in surgical technology, thoracic trauma, and education. Dr. Cartwright is a skilled surgical educator, having been regarded as a preferred mentor to medical students and residents throughout the entirety of his professional career. Dr. Cartwright will begin a fellowship in Surgical Critical Care and Trauma/Acute Care Surgery in August at Atrium Health Navicent, Mercer University School of Medicine.
*To join the training, please fill out the registration form
