2024 MERITS Workshop Recap: Highlights & Key Takeaways!
The Department of Emergency Medicine at UTHealth Houston, in sponsorship with ZOLL®, is thrilled to present the recap of our 2024 MERITS Workshop!
This year’s MERITS (Mastering Emergency Response Interventions for Traumatic Brain Injury and Sudden Cardiac Arrest) workshop focused on best practices for resuscitating and managing patients experiencing critical, time-sensitive emergencies. We highlighted the science behind out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), connecting study findings to practical field applications. It was an exceptional blend of hands-on training, informative presentations, and inspiring stories that left a lasting impact on all participants.
Workshop Highlights
- Lifelike Manikins and Competitive Skills Sessions
- Participants engaged in realistic simulations using advanced manikins, enhancing their practical skills in a competitive yet collaborative environment.
- Insightful and Data-driven Presentations
- The workshop featured a series of informative sessions covering the latest advancements and techniques in emergency medicine cardiac arrests, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Special Guest Speaker – Eric Herdejurgen
- Mr. Herdejurgen, a former patient who received life-saving ECMO treatment during a cardiac arrest, shared his remarkable survivor story during our workshop. He also served as a guest speaker at our Mobile Simulation Training Unit (MSTU) ribbon-cutting ceremony, generously donated by the Wyatt Ranches.
His experience underscored the vital importance of the skills taught in our MERITS Workshop, sparking meaningful discussions among attendees and course leaders.
- Mr. Herdejurgen, a former patient who received life-saving ECMO treatment during a cardiac arrest, shared his remarkable survivor story during our workshop. He also served as a guest speaker at our Mobile Simulation Training Unit (MSTU) ribbon-cutting ceremony, generously donated by the Wyatt Ranches.
Watch the full recap video below and relive the experience!
Gratitude and Acknowledgments
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this workshop:
- EM’s Mobile Simulation Training Unit (MSTU) Team
- We extend our deepest gratitude to our exceptional EM Mobile Simulation Team, whose dedication and expertise were pivotal to the success of the 2024 MERITS Workshop.
Your commitment to creating realistic, high-quality simulations provided our participants with invaluable hands-on experience, greatly enhancing their practical skills and confidence. The seamless execution of these training sessions would not have been possible without your hard work and meticulous planning. Your efforts have significantly contributed to the advancement of emergency medicine education, and we are profoundly thankful for your unwavering support and professionalism.
- We extend our deepest gratitude to our exceptional EM Mobile Simulation Team, whose dedication and expertise were pivotal to the success of the 2024 MERITS Workshop.
- Cizik School of Nursing’s Simulation & Clinical Performance Laboratory
- Thank you for your unwavering support and collaboration.
We sincerely appreciate your hospitality in allowing us to utilize your facilities, and a huge shoutout to Sim Lab Director, Eric Christensen for helping with all simulation and event set-up. Eric’s group has been a long-time supporter of our department, and together we will continue to push the envelope of simulation training in emergency medicine at UTHealth Houston.
- Thank you for your unwavering support and collaboration.
- ZOLL®
- A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors at ZOLL® for their unwavering support and contributions, without which the 2024 MERITS Workshop would not have been possible. ZOLL’s cutting-edge medical products have been instrumental in advancing our training programs, providing unparalleled advantages in emergency medicine education.
We would like to give a special shoutout to Laurel Linder, BS, NRP, and Lucinda “Luci” McQueen for their meticulous efforts in ensuring that the necessary equipment was shipped back and forth, enabling us to effectively plan and execute our training sessions. Your dedication and attention to detail have made a significant impact, and we are grateful for your commitment to our shared mission.
- A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors at ZOLL® for their unwavering support and contributions, without which the 2024 MERITS Workshop would not have been possible. ZOLL’s cutting-edge medical products have been instrumental in advancing our training programs, providing unparalleled advantages in emergency medicine education.
Stay Connected
Please stay tuned for updates on our upcoming courses by visiting our MERITS webpage.
Contact Information
For more information on future workshops or any questions/concerns, please reach out to Byron A. Harrison, Sr., Lic-P, MEd, BS, EMS-C.
Thank you once again to all participants, presenters, and partners for making the 2024 MERITS Workshop a huge success. Your energy, enthusiasm, and most importantly dedication are what make these events truly memorable. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
