|
ANN ARBOR
- The University of Michigan Health System's Trauma Burn Center
will co-host the 2001 World Burn Congress, an international conference
that brings together those whose lives have been affected by the
devastating consequences of burn injuries.
More than 400
people from seven countries are expected to attend the congress,
sponsored and organized by The Phoenix
Society for Burn Survivors, Inc. The World Burn Congress, now
in its 13th year, is a collaborative effort between the Phoenix
Society and the local hosts. Co-hosting with UMHS
Trauma Burn Center is Spectrum Health Regional Burn Center.
This year's events, expected to draw the largest number of attendees
ever, will be held June 13-17 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
"The University
of Michigan Health System is co-sponsoring the World Burn Congress
because we understand that recovery is just beginning when the burn
survivor leaves the hospital," says Nancy Mamolen, M.S.N.,
R.N., nurse manager at the U-M Trauma Burn Center, a center with
advanced capabilities that give it a Level I designation. "The
opportunity for burn survivors and their families to participate
in this conference will offer hope and inspiration, and we are grateful
that we can share in this experience."
Each year burn
survivors, their family members, health care professionals, firefighters
and others gather at the congress for four days of loving support
at different locations around the United States. Survivors share
their stories, offering hope and inspiration to others who are going
through what they have experienced. For many survivors, the conference
provides the first opportunity to discuss the common challenges
of a severe burn injury, and share tools and coping strategies so
that survivors can find ways to lead happy and productive lives.
Attendees also
hear presentations on the newest advances in burn care, and learn
about burn survivor issues such as body image, sexuality, relationships
and coping.
This year's
keynote speaker is Cliff Meidl, two-time Olympian and U.S.A. Flag
Bearer at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games. Meidl, a burn survivor,
made contact with 30,000 volts of electricity while operating a
jackhammer on a construction site. He will share his story at the
opening ceremonies Thursday morning.
More than 1.2
million people in America are burned each year, with more than 60,000
requiring hospitalization. Those who sustain severe burn injuries
are affected both physically and psychologically. About 5,000 people
die annually from burn injuries.
The UMHS Trauma
Burn Center's Level I designation by the American College of Surgeons
means U-M's center offers specialized care, services, equipment
and staff who are trained to treat serious burn and trauma injuries.
The center also demonstrates its leadership in research, education,
outreach, prevention, system planning and the ability to care for
the most severely injured patients.
In addition
to acting as a local host of the congress, U-M will lead a panel
discussion about the aftermath of the explosion at the Ford Rouge
plant in 1999.
The Phoenix
Society is an international, non-profit organization headquartered
in Grand Rapids, Mich. The mission of the society is to "uplift
and inspire anyone affected by the devastation of a burn injury
through peer support, education, collaboration and advocacy."
The organization takes its name from the legendary bird that lived
500 years and was consumed by flame, but rose again, reborn from
its ashes, "more brilliant than before."
Gold Level
sponsors include Consumers Energy Foundation and the Blodgett/Butterworth
Health Care Foundation.
To register
for the 2001 World Burn Congress, call The Phoenix Society at (800)
888-2876.
Note to
Editors: Media are invited to attend many World Burn Congress
events including the kick-off event at 6 p.m., June 13, at the Fredrick
Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, and the opening ceremonies from
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., June 14. Opening ceremonies include a presentation
by Cliff Meidl, a burn survivor and Olympic kayaker. Individuals
will be available to interview and general sessions may be photographed.
**Anyone who
would like more information about the UMHS Level 1 Trauma Burn Center,
the World Burn Congress, burn injuries, and/or support programs
can visit the following Web sites:
U-M
Trauma Burn Center
www.traumaburn.org
The
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors Inc.
www.phoenix-society.org
U-M
News Release: Arson Awareness Week
www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/arson.htm
U-M
Health Minute: Success of U-M Trauma Burn Outreach Prevention Program
www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/tbopp.htm
U-M
Health Topics A to Z
www.med.umich.edu/1libr/child/child33.htm
Written by
Valerie Gliem
For more
information, contact Kara Gavin or Valerie Gliem, UMHS Public
Relations, 734-764-2220, or by e-mail.
Recent
Press Releases
Return
to Medical School Home Page
|
