DeSales EMS students (from left) Jack Alviggi, Phil Szalczinger, Dayna Galati, and Ryan Mathiesen show awards from the 2016 NCEMSF skills competition.
Four DeSales University students who are members of the University’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team placed second in a national skills competition at the 23rd Annual National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation (NCEMSF).
Jack Alviggi '19, Dayna Galati '16, Ryan Mathiesen '19, and Phil Szalczinger '16 participated in the Physio-Control EMS Skills Classic at the conference.
The DeSales EMS team placed second overall against other college EMS squads from across the country, including Cornell University, Yale University, Virginia Tech, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California Los Angeles.
The Physio-Control EMS Skills Classic consists of a medical scenario, a trauma scenario, and a team-building scenario. Points are awarded for achieving specific objectives and performing specific skills appropriately, including history taking, physical exam (including vital signs), and patient care interventions. Leadership, teamwork, and an ability to expertly manage the case are also assessed. The scenarios are all timed.
DeSales EMS is a student-run EMT organization that responds to all campus medical emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the normal academic school year. In addition, DeSales EMS also offers CPR and other healthcare classes on campus. DeSales EMS is a certified Pennsylvania Department of Health Quick Response Service that operates as Station 74 in Lehigh County.
Founded in 1993, NCEMSF is committed to scholarship and research and to creating a safer, healthier environment on college and university campuses through the support, promotion, and advocacy of campus-based emergency medical services. It serves more than 250 constituent member colleges and universities who provide campus-based emergency medical services.