UC Irvine emergency medicine professors Dr. Kristi Koenig and Dr. Tareg Bey have been awarded the Order of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine, which recognizes significant contributions in and commitment to the specialty. It is considered one of the leading honors in the field of international medicine; fewer than 100 emergency medicine physicians worldwide have received it. Koenig and Bey (pictured) are known around the globe for their expertise in disaster preparedness and have worked with foreign governments on their emergency response efforts. Both have also been appointed "international ambassadors" for the American College of Emergency Physicians, helping to promote emergency medicine in Europe and Asia. They will accept the award at an IFEM conference next June.   More »

Dr. Kristi Koenig, director of public health preparedness for UC Irvine Healthcare, will join other experts on "Disaster Preparedness for Health Professionals," a four-part video series highlighting best practices. Presented by University of California Television and the California Preparedness Education Network, the series will show how anyone – from a single individual to a complex organization – can be better prepared for emergencies. Installment topics include natural disasters, chemical and biological agents, pandemic influenza and other emerging infections, and disaster volunteerism. The series premieres at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, on UCTV, which is available on Dish Network, through select cable systems and online at www.uctv.tv.   More »

Novel H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, reached pandemic status in June, but many public health experts believe its threat may peak with the flu season this fall. As a vaccine is being developed, communities are emphasizing common-sense prevention and finalizing large-scale response plans should H1N1 sicken millions. Dr. Kristi Koenig (pictured), director of public health preparedness for UC Irvine Healthcare and UCI emergency medicine professor, works on the front lines of this flu battle and is a much-sought-after expert on H1N1 preparations. Her advice? "Avoid sick people, cover your cough, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you are ill," she says. "Because this is a new virus, information can change rapidly. Monitor the news carefully, and follow public health advice." Oh, and turn down any invitations to swine flu parties.   More »

Dr. Jeff Suchard, associate professor of clinical emergency medicine in the UC Irvine School of Medicine, has received the inaugural Outstanding Contribution in Medical Toxicology Education Award from the American College of Medical Toxicology. This is the only teaching award given by the college and one of just three national awards. Suchard, an expert on the pharmacology and metabolism of drugs and intoxicants, has made a major mark on the national teaching scene through his outstanding work on the Clinical-Pathologic-Case Competition for the North American College of Clinical Toxicology. He has orchestrated this national case competition since 2001, and it has consistently been the most well-attended and reviewed session at the conference.   More »

The American College of Emergency Physicians has recognized Dr. Kristi Koenig, UC Irvine professor of emergency medicine, as a “Hero of Emergency Medicine.” The campaign, part of ACEP’s 40th anniversary, recognizes emergency physicians who have made significant contributions to emergency medicine, their communities and their patients. “Emergency physicians are on the front lines of America’s health care system, providing the essential community service of emergency care,” ACEP President Dr. Linda L. Lawrence said. “The dedication, passion and commitment Dr. Koenig has shown embodies the vision of ACEP’s founders and the ideals of our specialty.” Koenig, who also serves as director of public health awareness and co-director, EMS and Disaster Medical Sciences Fellowship at UCI, is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of homeland security, disaster and emergency medicine, emergency management, and emergency medical services.   More »

UC Irvine emergency medicine physicians Tareg Bey, Kristi Koenig (pictured) and Carl Schultz will attend the second annual National Emergency Management Summit in Washington, D.C., Feb. 3 – 5. The summit is the nation’s leading forum on medical preparation and response to disasters, epidemics and terrorism. Koenig, co-director of Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Medical Sciences Fellowship, UC Irvine School of Medicine, will lead a special half-day session on hospital surge capacity and what medical professionals should be doing to prepare for disaster.   More »

Researchers from UC Irvine School of Medicine's Center for Trauma and Injury Prevention have found that the economic aches attached to a skatepark-related injury can be as great as the physical pains. Dr. Federico Vaca and colleagues tracked emergency room patients at UC Irvine Medical Center who injured themselves at a nearby skatepark and found the average cost for each injury was nearly $3,200. Medical costs comprised two-thirds of this amount, and lost wages accounted for the other third for both patients and their families. Economic impact was greatest on working adults older than 25 who missed an average of 17 days of work because of their injuries. The study appears in Clinical Medicine & Research.   More »

Dr. Kristi Koenig, UC Irvine professor of clinical emergency medicine and director of public health preparedness, has been elected to the board of directors for World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine, an international group dedicated to public health preparedness around the world. WADEM, as it is called, is currently working with the World Health Organization to offer itself as the scientific advisory arm in assisting with the development of collaborative relationships between organizations working in disasters and emergencies. Koenig is recognized internationally for her expertise on disaster response and is playing a key role in public health preparedness around the globe.   More »

Dr. Federico Vaca, UC Irvine associate professor of clinical emergency medicine and director of the Center for Trauma and Injury Prevention Research, has received a five-year, $624,000 research training grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. He plans to study adolescent development and behaviors that influence the risk of motor vehicle crash injury in young Latino men. Vaca will undertake both quantitative and qualitative studies to better understand the confluence of youth and Latino culture and their influence on the risk of motor vehicle crash-related injury and death. Previous research has found the young Latino male population to be the exception to the “Latino Epidemiological Paradox.” He will use findings from his studies to ultimately develop a clinical intervention program. Vaca is only one of less than 20 emergency physician researchers in the country to receive this type of federal training grant.   More »

Dr. Federico Vaca and the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s Center for Trauma and Injury Prevention Research were recently awarded a $489,000 grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety to continue their alcohol-impaired driving prevention program. The award will allow for significant expansion of important ongoing computerized alcohol screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment activities at the UC Irvine Medical Center Emergency Department and Trauma Center. The CTIPR research team also will implement their computerized alcohol screening and intervention tool in the college healthcare setting. Vaca, CTIPR director and associate professor of clinical emergency medicine, is a leading expert on traffic safety issues.   More »

Although young men have tended to be associated with alcohol-related crashes, young women are beginning to show an alarming increase in fatal automobile crashes related to alcohol use and a failure to use seatbelts, according to a study led by Dr. Virginia Tsai and emergency medicine physicians with the Center for Trauma & Injury Prevention Research at UC Irvine. Results showed that over a 10-year period (1995-2004) women began to “catch up” to men in risky behaviors related to alcohol use and driving. In addition, they found while seatbelt use increased for both young men and women, the increase for women was smaller.   More »