Sebelius names eight to the Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma

To ensure that Kansas’ trauma centers are prepared and equipped to treat traumatic injuries, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed eight health professionals to the Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma.

“Working to make sure that every trauma center in Kansas has the resources and systems in place to respond to emergencies is an important task of this committee,” Sebelius said.

The Advisory Committee on Trauma advises the Secretary of Health and Environment on the development and implementation of a statewide trauma system.

Appointed to the committee are: James Longabaugh, Debra Pile, Robert Prewitt, Terry Siek, Stephen Smith, Pamela Steinle, and Christopher Way.

Longabaugh, Sabetha, earned a degree in microbiology from Kansas State University before going on to earn his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri. An expert at rural medicine and trauma, Longabaugh is currently a physician at Sabetha Family Practice.

Pile, Haysville, is a graduate of the Wesley School of Nursing. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at Wichita State University. Pile is the nurse manager at Wesley Medical Center, and has worked as a pediatric trauma coordinator, clinical pediatrics advisor and staff nurse.  

Prewitt, Garden City, graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield. With three decades experience as an EMT, Prewitt is the Finney County emergency medical services director.

Siek, Hays, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Fort Hays State University and is currently the Chief Nursing Officer at Hays Medical Center.

Smith, Wichita, graduated from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine with a specialty in trauma and critical care. Smith is currently a physician and surgeon at Wichita Surgical Specialists P.A.

Steinle, Smith Center, holds a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and is a surgeon at Smith County General having previously served as medical director of the emergency and operating rooms.  

Way, Parsons, graduated from Mid America Nazarene University in 2001 and is currently the director of emergency medical services at the Labette County Medical Center.

Paul Harrison, Wichita, was reappointed to this committee.

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