Program
Medical Disaster Response in Today's World 2027
MATTOX VEGAS MDR
March 14, 2027 • Caesars Palace • Las Vegas
MATTOX VEGAS MDR 2027
MEDICAL DISASTER RESPONSE IN TODAY’S WORLD
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2027 | |||
Activity | Speaker | Time | Location |
| Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall | 7:00 – 8:30 | Emperors Ballroom | |
| SESSION 1 FROM CHAOS TO COORDINATION IN THE TRENCHES – BEEN THERE, DONE THAT | Moderator: Patrick Georgoff | 7:45 – 10:00 AM | Palace 1-2 |
| Setting the Stage: Review/Preview 2027 | Kenneth L. Mattox | 7:45 – 7:55 AM | |
| Mass Shooting at Brown University | Brent Emigh | 7:55 – 8:15 AM | |
| Lumber Mill Explosion in Maine | Ali Salim | 8:15 – 8:35 AM | |
| The New Face of War: Injury Mechanisms, Management, & Tactics – Ukraine and Middle East Experience | Jennifer M. Gurney | 8:35 – 8:55 AM | |
| Lights Out in the OR – When Your Hospital is the Victim | Jason L. Turner | 8:55 – 9:15 AM | |
| Game On – Crowds, Chaos, and Contingencies: Planning for the 2026 World Cup | Alexander L. Eastman | 9:15 – 9:35 AM | |
| Dust Storm Causes Deadly Pile-up | Michael Cripps | 9:35 – 9:55 AM | |
| Panel Discussion | All Session Presenters | 9:55 – 10:15 AM | |
| BREAK & VISIT EXHIBITS | 10:15 – 10:45 | Emperors Ballroom | |
| SESSION 2 CLINICAL CHALLENGES IN MCI & DISASTERS | Moderator: Tanya Egodage | 10:45 – 12:00 Noon | Palace 1-2 |
| Airway and Ventilation Challenges During MASCAL | Jay A. Johannigman | 10:45 – 11:00 | |
| Burns, Blasts, and Complex Injuries in Resource Limited Settings | Jennifer M. Gurney | 11:00 – 11:15 | |
| Misdirection and Mis-triage: Can AI Improve Triage Accuracy and Casualty Distribution? | Patrick Georgoff | 11:15 – 11:30 | |
| Biologic Threats 2027: From Emerging Pathogens to Deliberate Attacks | Carlos V.R. Brown | 11:30 – 11:45 | |
| Heads Up: The Rural Neurotrauma Algorithm | Purvi P. Patel | 11:45 – 12:00 | |
| SESSION 3 LUNCHEON KEYNOTE ADDRESS “The Resurrection of the Golden Hour: Frontline Resuscitation Lessons from Iraq and Ukraine” Aaron Epstein, MD, MA Trauma and Critical Care Surgeon Founder and President Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG) | Moderator: Kenneth L. Mattox | 12:00 – 1:30 PM | Augustus Ballroom |
| SESSION 4 FRIENDLY FIRE: WHEN DISASTER EXPERTS DISAGREE | Moderator: Sydney J. Vail | 1:30 – 3:00 PM | Palace 1-2 |
| The Trauma Surgeon Should Be The Triage Officer | Brent J. Emigh | 1:30 – 1:40 | |
| Anyone BUT the Trauma Surgeon Should be the Triage Officer | Juan C. Duchesne | 1:40 – 1:50 | |
| Artificial Intelligence is the Answer to Decision-Making in MCI and Disasters | Ryan P. Dumas | 1:50 – 2:00 | |
| Judgement and Experience Trump AI Every Time | Bellal A. Joseph | 2:00 – 2:10 | |
| Aggressive Use of Tourniquets is Essential in MCI and Disasters | Martin A. Schreiber | 2:10 – 2:20 | |
| Tourniquets Are Overused in MCI and Disasters | Michael Cripps | 2:20 – 2:30 | |
| The New Disaster Medicine Certification Program: What, Why, and How? | David V. Shatz | 2:30 – 2:50 | |
| BREAK & VISIT EXHIBITS | 2:50 – 3:20 | Emperors Ballroom | |
| SESSION 5 BEYOND TRIAGE AND RESUSCITATION | Moderator: Jeffrey J. Skubic | 3:20 – 6:00 PM | Palace 1-2 |
| Going for Gold: Preparing Mass Casualty Response for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics | Kenji Inaba | 3:20 – 3:35 | |
| Looking in the Mirror: Hazard Vulnerability Assessment | Natasha Keric | 3:35 – 3:50 | |
| Who’s in Charge? It’s Probably Not You | David V. Shatz | 3:50 – 4:05 | |
| No Donors, No Problem: The Future of Bioengineered and Artificial Blood Products and Adjuncts | Martin A. Schreiber | 4:05 – 4:20 | |
| RMOCS – Against All Odds | James M. Bardes | 4:20 – 4:35 | |
| Hot off the Press! Top Ten Publications in Disaster and MCI – 2027 | Tanya Egodage | 4:35 – 4:50 | |
| When Disaster Strikes Kids: Special Considerations in Pediatric Mass Casualty Care | Matthew J. Martin | 4:50 – 5:05 | |
| After the Dust Clears: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Post-Event Mental Health Issues in Victims and Healthcare Providers. | Nicole Short, PhD | 5:05 – 5:20 | |
| Drones, Telemedicine, & Remote Surgical Support | Sydney J. Vail | 5:20 – 5:35 | |
| Panel Discussion | All Session Presenters | 5:35 – 6:00 | |
| Meeting Adjourned | |||
Program Overview
The 2027 scientific program is taking shape—here's a preview of some of the exciting sessions and presentations being planned
Be Ready for the Next Disaster—Before It Happens. Join colleagues from around the world for a full day of cutting-edge education, spirited discussion, and practical solutions that will help you respond with confidence when disaster strikes.
From Chaos to Coordination: Real Events. Real Lessons
Hear firsthand accounts from clinicians and leaders who managed some of the most challenging disasters of the past year.
Featured presentations include:
- Mass Shooting at Brown University
- Dust Storm Causes Deadly Pile-up
- The New Face of War: Injury Mechanisms, Management, and Tactics from Ukraine and the Middle East
- Lights Out in the OR: When Your Hospital Becomes the Victim
- Game On: Disaster Planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Lumber Mill Explosion in Maine
Each session concludes with interactive panel discussions focused on translating experience into practical improvements for your institution.
Clinical Challenges in Mass Casualty Incidents
Disaster medicine extends far beyond triage.
Explore the latest approaches to managing the clinical problems that challenge every trauma system, including:
- Airway and ventilation strategies during large-scale MASCAL events
- Burns, blast injuries, and complex trauma in resource-limited rural hospitals
- Artificial intelligence and the future of casualty triage
- Emerging biologic threats and deliberate attacks
- Practical neurotrauma management for rural providers
Leave with immediately applicable clinical strategies for the next disaster response.
Friendly Fire: When Disaster Experts Disagree
One of the conference's most popular formats returns.
Watch nationally recognized experts debate today's most controversial topics in disaster medicine:
- Who should lead disaster triage?
- Can artificial intelligence outperform human judgment?
- Are tourniquets saving lives—or being overused?
- Is it time for formal Disaster Medicine Certification?
No scripted consensus. No easy answers. Just evidence, experience, and lively discussion.
Beyond Triage and Resuscitation
Today's disasters require preparation long before the first patient arrives.
Discover what's next in disaster readiness, including:
- Preparing healthcare systems for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games
- Conducting meaningful Hazard Vulnerability Assessments
- Designing realistic, high-impact disaster drills
- The future of bioengineered and artificial blood products
- Regional Medical Operations Coordination Systems (RMOCS)
- The Top 10 Disaster Medicine publications of 2027
- Pediatric considerations in mass casualty care
- Mental health after disaster—for patients and responders
- Drones, telemedicine, and remote surgical support
Learn directly from experts who have lived these events, challenged conventional thinking, and helped shape the future of disaster medicine.
SAVE THE DATE, AND PLAN TO JOIN US ON MARCH 14, 2027, AT CAESARS PALACE, LAS VEGAS