Good Samaritan University Hospital Emergency Medicine Residents Train at Long Island MacArthur Airport

Airport emergencies are infrequent, but when they occur, the emergency response  is a  coordinated effort involving multiple agencies and first responders. Catholic Health’s Good Samaritan University Hospital Emergency Medicine Residents recently saw this firsthand and gained some crucial training related to in-flight and airport emergency response at Long Island MacArthur Airport, located within the Town of Islip. Emergency medicine residents, attending faculty and medical students joined members of MacArthur Airport Fire Rescue, Suffolk County Police Department and the Town of Islip in this multi-agency training and education event. The goal is to provide a level of higher education and real world scenarios to develop residents and students into the physicians and advanced practice professionals of the future. 

Residents toured the MacArthur Airport Fire Rescue facility where they were greeted by Commissioner Shelly LaRose Arken, Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter, along with Airport Fire Chief Al Cinotti and his crew. A review of the emergency response capabilities of the airport, case studies and a hands-on demonstration of equipment helped highlight possible disaster events ranging from plane crashes to emergencies within the terminal. Emergency medicine residents were able to gain insight into the pre-hospital care provided in this very specialized and unique environment. In addition, Suffolk County Police Department officers demonstrated their field operations and explained their role in patient care and helicopter transport. The day was capped off with a presentation by Emergency Medicine Resident Shoshanna Taube, MD, on the management of in-flight emergencies based on FAA regulated medical supplies available to practitioners on an aircraft.
 
“We were thrilled to host the Good Samaritan Hospital Residents at Long Island MacArthur Airport, said Commissioner LaRose Arken. There are many synergies between the services provided by the airport and its local hospital. The airport facility supports aircraft operations used to transport organs for transplant patients, our customers are aviators who volunteer aircraft and flight time for critical care cancer patients to obtain medical treatment and we are home to medivac services for individuals who suffer life threatening medical emergencies. We help our community to deliver the care they need, by partnering with our local hospitals.”  
 
"It was a pleasure to greet this next generation of emergency care physicians at our Long Island MacArthur Airport, and provide further context for the critical role our airport serves in cooperation with local hospitals, said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “We are proud of the many life-saving services and response initiatives that stand at the ready at MacArthur Airport, and proud of the brave men and women who are equipped to act at a moment's notice. I look forward to the bright and very important careers of these Good Sam Hospital Residents, and for our continued partnership with the hospital to provide necessary support to the community." 
 
Since 1994, more than 500 physicians have been educated through Good Samaritan’s Graduate Medical Education Program. As the only Verified Level 2 Trauma Program for both adults and pediatrics on the south shore of Long Island, Good Samaritan is dedicated to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients. 
 
“As a teaching facility with multiple residency, intern and fellowship programs, Good Samaritan Hospital is a leader in Graduate Medical Education,” said Good Samaritan Hospital President Ruth E. Hennessey. “The hospital helps our trainees take the next step in their medical careers. Residents receive training from board certified physicians and faculty members who are experts in their fields. These well-rounded experiences give exposure to the most advanced technologies and a diverse patient population.” 
 
Get more more information on Graduate Medical Education at Good Samaritan University Hospital. Or, call 631-376-4444.