Rocky Mountain Rural Trauma Symposium 2026: Full Schedule

TBA

Vitalant Blood Drive - 10:00am-2:00pm

Thursday September 10, 2026 TBA

Babcock East

Vitalant Blood Drive - REGISTER HERE

Thursday September 10, 2026 TBA
Babcock East

Blood Drive

7:00am MDT

Registration Check-In

Thursday September 10, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT

Click Here or scan QR Code to sign in each day.

Thursday September 10, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT

General Session

8:00am MDT

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Thursday September 10, 2026 8:00am - 8:15am MDT

Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Barry McKenzie, MD, FACS

St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Dr. McKenzie is a Montana native who grew up in Billings and earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Rocky Mountain College. He received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed his residency training in general... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 8:00am - 8:15am MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

8:15am MDT

Trauma Survivor Panel

Thursday September 10, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am MDT

Grand Ballroom

Trauma Systems Survivor StoryObjectives:Risks and consequences of distracted driving and how these behaviors can lead to life-altering injuries and trauma.Describe the physical and psychological impact of motor vehicle crashes, including common challenges associated with physical and emotional injury recovery.Identify strategies and resources that support long-term recovery and resilience for...
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Speakers

Tabbatha Courtney

My name is Tabbatha Courtney, I am 26 years old, a mom, a wife, and a survivor. I was in a terrible car wreck in 2018. In high school I was a competitive clogger (it’s kind of like tap dancing).

Mandi Crable, NRP, CPST

Laurel EMS and Billings Clinic

Mandi has been with Laurel EMS and Billings Clinic since 2018 starting as an EMT, then as an Endorsed EMT, and now as a Paramedic. Mandi also serves the community as a Certified Car Passenger Safety Technician with Safe Kids Yellowstone County.

Lanny Orr, RN

Billings Clinic

Lanny Orr began his medical career as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, proudly serving alongside the Marines as their trusted "Doc." Following his military service, he earned his nursing degree and spent several years as an emergency department nurse before joining Billings Clinic MedFlight... Read More →

Brent Peters, EMT, Retired Fire Chief

Following a 10-year period of serving our nation in the US Army the passion of serving my fellow man and community took over. Joined the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department in 1998 and later the Laurel Volunteer Ambulance in 2001. I served every aspect of the fire service throughout... Read More →

Naomi Wortman, CCEMTP

Naomi is a Montana native who has worked in EMS for 35 years, 8 of those on flight. She started as a volunteer in Sweet Grass County and then worked in Bighorn County. Naomi spent 14 years in the coroner’s office in Sweet Grass County as well, seven years as the deputy coroner... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

9:15am MDT

Firearm Deaths in Montana

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Grand Ballroom

This session is designed for trauma professionals and will examine firearm-related deaths in Montana through a trauma system and injury prevention lens. Dr. McKenzie will review epidemiologic trends, common injury patterns, and contributing factors unique to a rural, frontier setting—including access to care, transport times, and resource variability. The presentation will connect these factors...
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Speakers

Barry McKenzie, MD, FACS

St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

10:15am MDT

Break - Visit Sponsors and Exhibitors

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am MDT

Break

10:45am MDT

Ski Fast, Bleed Faster: The Challenge of Splenic Trauma

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

South Ballroom

We will explore real-world ski hill splenic injury cases to examine the unique challenges faced by first-responders, EMS and critical care transport providers caring for patients with blunt abdominal trauma in remote mountain environments. Participants will review the epidemiology and mechanisms of splenic injury associated with skiing and snowboarding, recognize key clinical findings that suggest...
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Speakers

David Berube, MS, FP-C/CCP-C

Billings Clinic MedFlight

David Berube, MS, FP-C/CCP-C, NRP, is a Montana-based Flight Paramedic with extensive experience in critical care transport, emergency medicine, and rural prehospital care. Throughout his 26 year career, he has served on the front lines of emergency response, U.S. Air Force Special... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
South Ballroom

Track 1 EMS

10:45am MDT

Management of Chest Wall Injuries

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

North Ballroom

This presentation will discuss the recognition and management (non-surgical and surgical) of a variety of common and uncommon injuries to the chest wall, including sternum, ribs, and the costal margin.Learning Objectives1) Identify and describe the management of injuries to the sternum and ribs2) Identify injuries to the costal margin, including intercostal hernia, costal margin rupture and...
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Speakers

Richard Lesperance, MD, FACS

Bozeman Health

Dr. Rich Lesperance first became interested in chest wall injuries as a medic in the US Army, after suffering rib fractures during a parachute jump. His career as a medic, and interest in the management of trauma, eventually led him to medical school, surgery residency and a Trauma... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
North Ballroom

Track 2 Hospital

11:45am MDT

Lunch on your own

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT

Break

1:00pm MDT

START Triage/Mass Casualty Incidents

Thursday September 10, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

South Ballroom

This (largely) hands on session focuses on the fundamentals of mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and the timely and accurate triaging of patients. By the end of the session, participants should gain an understanding of MCI scene setup, incident command, and patient management/disposition within the context of an MCI.

Speakers

Mac Malone, NRP

Hyalite Fire District

Mac Malone is the Division Chief of Training at the Hyalite Fire District and a Paramedic on the Gallatin County SWAT Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) team. His career spans fire officer leadership, EMS, and tactical medicine, including prior roles as a Training Captain at... Read More →

RMRTS Triage Sheet pdf

Thursday September 10, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
South Ballroom

Track 1 EMS

1:00pm MDT

We Do Not Live in Florida. Current Management of Hypothermia and Frostbite in Montana

Thursday September 10, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

North Ballroom

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the historical treatment of cold related injury with most recent relevant trials for frostbite management
Describe current best practice management protocols for treatment of hypothermia and frostbite
Utilize a real-world patient example to characterize hypothermia and frostbite management in a critical access hospital environment

Speakers

Peter Deveaux, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Sidney Health Center

Peter Deveaux,MD is a General Surgeon who graduated from Chicago Medical School in 1994. He obtained a Master’s degree in Pathology during this time. Dr Deveaux completed his General Surgery Residency at Loyola University in Chicago from 1994-1999. During this time, he married... Read More →

Gordon Riha, MD, FACS

Billings Clinic

Gordon Riha, MD FACS grew up between Wyoming and Texas. He attended Texas A&M University where he majored in Microbiology. Dr. Riha then attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, followed by General Surgery residency at Oregon Health Sciences University... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
North Ballroom

Track 2 Hospital

2:00pm MDT

Break - Visit Sponsors and Exhibitors

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm MDT

Break

2:30pm MDT

Traumatic Out of Hospital Circulatory Arrest (TOHCA)

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Grand Ballroom

Learning objectives:

Review the Prehospital Trauma Compendium: Prehospital Management of Adults with Traumatic Out-of-Hospital Circulatory Arrest - a Joint Position Statement
Review the prehospital management of penetrating versus blunt trauma arrest
Describe differences in priority for traumatic vs non-traumatic cardiac arrest
Discussing indications for ED thoracotomy and other adjuncts

Speakers

Bret Birrer, MD

Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center

Dr. Bret Birrer is a board-certified emergency physician practicing at Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. His prehospital experience includes being an EMT with Teton County EMS in Jackson, Wyoming and Power County EMS in American Falls, Idaho along with a paramedic... Read More →

Michael Englehart, MD

Billings Clinic

Dr. Michael Englehart joined Billings Clinic in 2010. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California San Diego. He went on to complete his medical school training at the Medical College of Wisconsin and an internship, residency, and surgical critical care fellowship... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

3:30pm MDT

Pathology of Trauma and the Medical Examiner

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Grand Ballroom

Overview of traumatic injuries from a forensic pathologist’s perspective.Learning Objectives:Describe injuries using accepted terminologyLearn how to describe injuries in a manner that maximizes utility and efficiency for AIS/ISS codingGain appreciation for how autopsy findings can be correlated with clinical findings to create opportunities for improvementLearn from educational photographs of...
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Speakers

Deland Weyrauch, MD

Montana State Medical Examiner's Officer

Dr. Deland Weyrauch completed residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Yale–New Haven Hospital before training in forensic pathology at the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He is currently a deputy medical examiner for the Montana State Medical Examiner's... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

4:30pm MDT

Day One Closing Remarks | Evaluation

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:30pm - 4:45pm MDT

Grand Ballroom

Click Here for or scan QR code for Day 1 Evaluation.

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:30pm - 4:45pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

5:00pm MDT

Vendor Showcase

Thursday September 10, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm MDT

Pre-Function Area, Hart Albin and Babcock West

Visit sponsor/vendor tables for tickets. Deposit tickets in the prize boxes for drawings.
No-Host Bar and appetizers will be available.

Thursday September 10, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm MDT
Pre-Function Area, Hart Albin and Babcock West

Break

TBA

Red Cross Blood Drive - 10:30am-3:00pm

Friday September 11, 2026 TBA

Babcock East

Red Cross Blood Drive - REGISTER HERE

Friday September 11, 2026 TBA
Babcock East

Blood Drive

7:00am MDT

Registration Check-In

Friday September 11, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT

Click Here or scan QR Code to sign in each day.

Friday September 11, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT

General Session

8:00am MDT

Excellence in Trauma Awards

Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am MDT

Grand Ballroom

Friday September 11, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

8:30am MDT

Pre-Hospital LTOWB: the Pains and the Gains

Friday September 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

Grand Ballroom

Learning Objectives

The why of LTOWB and Liquid Plasma in the prehospital setting
How did we start? What has been the learning curve and "pains" of startup? Where are we now?
Has whole blood made a difference? The "gains": Our data on patient outcomes, cost analysis, and blood waste.
What is the outlook?

Friday September 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

9:30am MDT

Emergency Airway and Bleeding: Ten Minutes Saves a Life

Friday September 11, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am MDT

Grand Ballroom

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:Recognize the signs of airway compromise in the trauma patient — excessive bleeding, obstruction, and declining level of consciousness — and apply a stepwise escalation of airway management: jaw thrust/chin lift with bag-mask ventilation, supraglottic airway (LMA/iGEL), endotracheal intubation, and surgical airway...
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Speakers

Jesse Falk, DMD

Canyon Oral & Facial Surgery, Canyon Head & Neck Surgery

Dr. Jesse Falk is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the founder of Canyon Oral & Facial Surgery and Canyon Head & Neck Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada — one of the only dual-specialty OMFS/ENT practices in the United States and the primary head and neck service for ten Las Vegas Valley... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

10:30am MDT

Break - Visit Sponsors and Exhibitors

Friday September 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am MDT

Break

11:00am MDT

Pre-Hospital Assessment for Children with Complex Developmental Needs

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

South Ballroom

Learning Objectives:

Identify three accommodations that can be provided for children with complex needs
Identify additional medical considerations for children with autism
Identify additional history questions needed for children with autism and/or developmental delays

Speakers

Andersen Foley

Andersen is a 17-year-old high school junior who proudly embraces autism as his superpower. He believes that seeing the world differently gives him a unique perspective, creativity, and determination. Andersen has a passion for theater and production. He dreams of pursuing a career... Read More →

Laura Forcella, MS, APRN

Intermountain Health

Laura Forcella is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Intermountain Health, Billings Pediatric Specialty Clinic. She earned her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and her graduate degree from Georgetown University. Laura... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
South Ballroom

Track 1 EMS

11:00am MDT

Facial Trauma Management: From Novice to Expert

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

North Ballroom

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:Apply a systematic approach to the initial assessment of facial trauma, distinguishing emergent injuries (airway compromise, unstable fractures, intracranial injury) from those appropriate for delayed or outpatient management (dentoalveolar, TMJ, and simple soft tissue injuries).Select appropriate imaging for facial trauma —...
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Speakers

Jesse Falk, DMD

Canyon Oral & Facial Surgery, Canyon Head & Neck Surgery

Friday September 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
North Ballroom

Track 2 Hospital

12:00pm MDT

Lunch on your own

Friday September 11, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT

Break

1:00pm MDT

Non-Accidental Trauma & Mandatory Reporting Requirements

Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Grand Ballroom

Will discuss signs of non-accidental trauma in children, reporting requirements, and what to expect for follow-up from CFSD.

Speakers

Debra Cole

MT DPHHS Child & Family Services Division

Deb Cole is a Field Administrator based in Billings, Montana, with more than 32 years of dedicated child welfare experience. Known for professionalism, steady leadership, and a strong commitment to the well‑being of children and families, Deb contributes deep operational knowledge... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

2:00pm MDT

What Would You Do? Interactive Discussion on the Management of the Trauma Patient and Best Practices

Friday September 11, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT

Grand Ballroom

Through an interactive case study presentation with a panel of experts representing different levels of trauma centers, the panel will:Discuss the management of trauma patients based on facility resources/designation through a case management approachIdentify best practices and discuss the evidence for fluid resuscitation based on community resources.Identify and discuss the evidence around...
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Speakers

Kelly Dinnan, MD

Glendive Medical Center

Kelly Dinnan was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, MI. She went to Michigan State University for pre-med and then attended the Osteopathic Medical School there, graduating in 2006. Kelly did her internship and residency in General Surgery at Botsford Hospital in Farmington... Read More →

Michael Englehart, MD

Billings Clinic

Benjamin Miller, PhD, APRN, FNP-C, ACNPC, ENP-C, FAANP

Dr. Miller has been a nurse for 36 years with a nursing background in a complex level 1trauma center in the pacific northwest. He has been an advanced practice nurse for the past 26 years with board certifications in primary care, acute/critical care, and emergency. His clinical... Read More →

Kalu Rogenes

Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital

Kalu Rogenes is the Director of Community Healthcare Operations and Emergency Services at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital. With 30 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services, Kalu has dedicated her career to rural healthcare, EMS operations, and community-focused patient care... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

General Session

3:00pm MDT

Closing Remarks | Evaluation

Friday September 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

CLICK HERE or Scan QR Code for Day Two Evaluation.

Friday September 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

General Session

TBA

7:00am MDT

8:00am MDT

8:15am MDT

9:15am MDT

10:15am MDT

10:45am MDT

10:45am MDT

11:45am MDT

1:00pm MDT

1:00pm MDT

2:00pm MDT

2:30pm MDT

3:30pm MDT

4:30pm MDT

5:00pm MDT

TBA

7:00am MDT

8:00am MDT

8:30am MDT

9:30am MDT

10:30am MDT

11:00am MDT

11:00am MDT

12:00pm MDT

1:00pm MDT

2:00pm MDT

3:00pm MDT

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