Burn center co-hosts 18th Annual World Burn Congress

The UC Davis Regional Burn Center is among the hosts for the 18th Annual World Burn Congress (WBC), set for September 6-9 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.

Sponsored by the Phoenix Society, the World Burn Congress brings together burn survivors, caregivers, burn professionals and firefighters from throughout the world. More than 500 people are expected to attend the congress, which offers emotional support and education regarding burn recovery.

Other hosts of the event are Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California and the Firefighters Burn Institute.

David Greenhalgh, chief of burns at Shriners Hospitals and UC Davis Medical Center, said, “It is extremely important and beneficial for burn survivors to have an opportunity to meet and discuss concerns with other burn survivors. The World Burn Congress provides a positive forum in which survivors can share experiences, concerns and triumphs. We are honored to be part of such a meaningful event, and it’s an exciting opportunity for the entire Sacramento region.”

Several providers from UC Davis Health System will be participants at the congress. A schedule of their activities follows:

• Kathy Lorenzato of the Child Life Program will teach the Reiki portion of the Wellness Workshop on Wednesday, September 6.

• Greenhalgh will be part of a panel discussing face transplants on Thursday, September 7.

• Debra Kayden, Burn Outreach Coordinator for the UC Davis Regional Burn Center and program chairperson of this year's WBC, will be on a panel discussing California Burn Foundations and the “Survivors Role” on Thursday, September 7; and “Sexuality and Intimacy With Burns” on Saturday, September 9.

• Richard Casias, a volunteer and co-coordinator of the burn center’s SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) Program, will be part of a break-out session on “Latino Cultural Implications” on Thursday, September 7; and “Hidden Burns: Common Challenges With Relationships and Intimacy” on Friday, September 8.

• Greenhalgh and Hugh Vu, associate clinical professor of plastic surgery, will present the break-out session on “Medical Care Focus on Outcomes” on Saturday, September 9.

• Kenneth Furukawa, associate clinical professor of anesthesiology, will discuss “Pain Management: Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatments” on Saturday, September 9.

• William McGowan, chief financial officer of UC Davis Health System, will deliver the welcome speech during the opening ceremony on Thursday, September 7.