COTS joined The Ohio State University medical students and residents to emphasize the importance of coordination during disasters. The event on March 10th was part of OSU’s annual Disaster Preparedness Day at Wexner Medical Center. 

Medical students and residents gathered to learn about disaster preparedness and take part in several disaster simulations. They were able to see a demonstration of a virtual reality triage project developed by Dr. Nicholas Kman, an emergency medicine physician and professor of emergency medicine at OSU. 

Dr. Cullen Clark, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, facilitated a burn surge tabletop exercise and discussed the university’s role as the state’s Burn Coordinating Center. Dr. Clark and COTS Emergency Management Manager Kelsey Blackburn also highlighted  the importance of COTS and the need for a coordination agency when disasters occur.  

COTS coordinates health care coalitions that cover nearly half of the counties in Ohio. These public-private partnerships work to facilitate, support, and strengthen healthcare and related entities as they prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Some of COTS recent preparedness and coordination efforts were highlighted earlier this month. 

Read more about OSU’s Disaster Day in WCMH NBC4’s Coverage here.