As a service to emergency medical service providers across Northeast Georgia, St. Mary's Health Care System will present its spring EMS Education Conference on May 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mary's Hospital, 1230 Baxter St., Athens.

The program will provide continuing education that is immediately useful for paramedics, emergency medical technicians and first responders in the field. The event is free to qualified providers. Up to 5 continuing education credits will be available. Participants should claim credit only for the hours they actually attend. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided, with on-site check-in opening at 8:30 a.m. Free parking will be provided in the hospital's Parking Lot B beside the main Baxter Street entrance.

"EMTs and paramedics are on the front lines of saving lives every day," said John Sartain, Paramedic, St. Mary's EMS Liaison. "It's a demanding job where every minute matters. This conference provides practical, real-world information that can help EMS personnel provide safe, high-quality care in high-stress situations."

Topics and presenters will be:

• "Message in a Bottle: Neuro-transmitters and psychiatric medicines," Sonia Suda, MD, 2^nd Year Resident, Augusta University/University of Georgia Internal Medicine Residency Program

• "Autism spectrum disorders and public safety personnel," Beth Seymour, PMDC, Elbert County EMS

• "Care for the acute pediatric traumatic brain injury patient," Tina Johnson, RN, Assistant Manager, Critical Care Transport, Children's Hospital of Atlanta

• "Crisis intervention," SPO Robie Cochran, Athens-Clarke County Police Department

• "STEMI mimics and STEMI case review," Clay Chappell, MD, Oconee Heart and Vascular Center

Advance registration is requested. For information or to sign up, please contact John Sartain, Paramedic, CCEMTP, St. Mary's EMS Liaison, at 706.389.3986 or [email protected].