Phoenix Society to present at 53rd ABA Annual Meeting

Written on March 04, 2021

Amy Acton R.N., B.S.N., CEO, and Pam Peterson R.N., B.S.N, Senior Director of Programs, are both set to present during multiple events at American Burn Association (ABA)’s 53rd Annual Meeting. The three-day virtual event brings together more than 2,000 multi-disciplinary burn care professionals from across the globe.  


Learn more and register 

Phoenix Society at ABA 

20/20 Vision: The Wide-ranging Effects on Multidisciplinary Burn Care Through the Lens of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Pt. 2 

April 8, 2021 @ 10:15 am EST  

Course DirectorsVictor C. Joe, MD; Leopoldo C. Cancio, MD, FACS 

Speakers: Pam Peterson, RN; Bernard Chang, MD, PhD; Todd F. Huzar, MD, FACS; Monica L. Gerrek, PhD; NASEM 

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted the continuum of burn care from supply chain to aftercare. Its exposed vulnerabilities in burn care from unforeseen threats and demonstrated that a burn disaster is not limited to scenarios with large numbers of patients with thermal injuries. Any disaster that threatens the shared resources of a medical system can increasingly put pressure on burn care delivery systems leading to the implementation of altered standards of care. This course will examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on burn centers, evaluate our response vis-a-vis the current preparedness framework, and explore solutions for future disaster preparedness. 

Pam will specifically be discussing the effects of COVID on burn aftercare and burn survivor support as well as participating in a live Q+A. 


Spiritual Needs and the Burn Patient: Moving from Disorientation to Reorientation  

April 9, 2021 @ 10 am EST  

Moderators: Amy Acton; Sandra L. King, MA, BCC; Monica L. Gerrek, PhD 

Surveys of trauma survivors inform us that spiritual/religious beliefs play an important role in recovery.  Further research suggests that spiritual health/spiritual distress play an important role in how patients make meaning of their trauma injuries and how their arc of recovery unfolds.  A burn injury can bring with it many unique aspects of spiritual distress for the burn patient and family.  In this symposium, we will discuss these unique aspects and explore the question of how suffering through this distress can aid burn survivors in moving from reliving the story of their trauma to rewriting the story of their lives. 


Survivorship in Discharge and Aftercare Planning: Engaging Families and Burn Survivors as Burn Team Members 

April 9, 2021 @ 2:15 pm EST  

Course Directors: Pam, Peterson, RN; Karen Badger, PhD, MSW  

Speakers: Victor C. Joe, MD; Mona Krueger; Keturah Sloan; James Bosch; Shana Henry 

Psychosocial burn recovery requires interprofessional team expertise and patient and family inclusion. An early start in aftercare planning can help the team understand the challenges, worries, strengths, resources, coping skills, goals, and hopes of families and patients, which can assist with building a compassionate understanding of their experiences and assessing readiness to plan and discuss reintegration and aftercare needs and resources. Engagement strategies are presented with a specific focus on family experiences as survivors of the burn injury and ways through which they can be supported, prepared, and empowered to assist the burn survivor with aftercare and social reintegration needs. Describe strategies to engage with burn patients and families and build relationships early to assist with individualized aftercare planning.


Exhibitor Booth 

Don’t forget to visit the Phoenix Society exhibitor booth! Spend some time to learn about all of the organizations exhibiting at ABA and what they have to offer. Learn about products and services that can improve burn care and rehabilitation. 


View the full schedule 

Join us April 12-16, 2021 for SIG Week 

Sig Week is an exclusive opportunity for ABA members to learn, network, and share ideas! 


Burn Survivor Reintegration/Psychosocial SIG: Trauma Informed Assessments with Adolescents; Suicide Assessments, Treatment and Reintegration for Adolescents. 

April 12, 2021 @ 2 pm EST   

Chairs: Pam Peterson, RN; Mikki Rothbauer. Co-Chair: Dana Dillard 

Speakers: Brad Jackson, James Bosch, Lea Elder, and Nam-Hai Hynhe Le.