Recently, ABF, in partnership with the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health, hosted the Western Region Burn Conference in Seattle, WA. The three-day event gathered more than 150 burn care professionals and industry experts from 13 western states.

Renowned for its pioneering spirit and dedication to excellence, the Western United States exemplifies this ethos through our collective efforts in theburn care industry. Together, we are driving advancements that profoundly impact burn survivors and their families.

This year’s conference featured an incredible lineup of speakers and sessions on topics ranging from the psychological and social impacts of burn injuries to advanced medical treatments and rehabilitation techniques.

ABF’s Director of Client Care Services Kelsey Stryker, MSW, participated in a panel on Burn Survivor Aftercare with Dr. Vimal Murthy, MD, FACS of Torrance Memorial; and Linda Garcia and Tanya Sorkin of Children’s Burn Foundation. These leaders in burn aftercare advocate for its importance, ensuring burn survivors have a supportive community throughout their lifetime.

“A burn survivor’s journey is often long and arduous. It is imperative to recognize that their transition from the hospital back into their homes and lives is the most critical time for emotional support,” said Kelsey Stryker. “We understand that there is no set timeline for recovery, so it is crucial that we are there whenever the survivor is ready for our support.”

The discussion also highlighted the importance of hospital leadership support, funding, data capture and analysis, and specialized positions dedicated to engaging burn survivors post-discharge. Long-term support programs, including gatherings, camps, and frequent check-ins, were emphasized as vital.

Thank you to this year’s speakers and participants for an inspiring, productive, and fun conference fueled by your insights, energy, and compassion towards those we serve. And a heartfelt thank you this year’s vendors and partners, including Harborview Medical Center, Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health, American Burn Association, and a special thank you to our event sponsor, Cunningham Law Firm.