# A New Lens on Trauma Mortality: Post-Mortem CT Implementation, Outcomes, and Expert Panel Discussion

![](https://traumanurses.org/_resources/images/news/webinar.jpg)**Date:** September 17, 2026 @ 3:00 PM EST

Join a multidisciplinary panel of trauma, radiology, registry, and medical examiner experts as they share practical lessons from implementing a post-mortem CT (PMCT) program. Learn how PMCT is being used to identify injuries, enhance mortality review, improve injury severity scoring, support trauma performance improvement, and strengthen system-wide learning. Panelists will discuss implementation strategies, legal and financial considerations, registry implications, collaboration with medical examiner offices, and real-world insights that demonstrate the value of PMCT in trauma care.

Whether you are exploring PMCT for the first time or looking to expand an existing program, you'll leave with practical tools, implementation strategies, and lessons learned from an organization already leading this work.

[CLICK HERE TO REGISTER](https://virtualconference.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YrBDOZFTRMaZcwTlkoHk9w#/registration)

 **Speakers:**

***Tracy Henry*** Tracy is an experienced healthcare professional with more than 20 years in trauma and critical care nursing, specializing in patient outcomes, performance improvement, and evidence-based practice. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Petersburg College, a Master of Science in Global Health and Infectious Diseases from the University of Edinburgh, and a Postgraduate Degree in Forensic Death Investigation from the University of Florida.

Currently serving as a Trauma Outcomes Specialist at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Tracy advances trauma care through data analysis, multidisciplinary collaboration, and quality improvement initiatives. Her expertise includes developing innovative healthcare programs, including post-mortem CT services that enhance clinical and forensic investigations.

In addition, Tracy serves as a County Medical Examiner for three North Carolina counties, bringing specialized expertise in forensic death investigation and medicolegal review. Combining trauma nursing, public health, and forensic science, she offers a unique perspective on injury prevention, trauma systems, and patient care.

Tracy is also a Wilderness Medicine and Survivalist Provider with experience in tropical and jungle medicine, remote healthcare delivery, and expedition medicine, reflecting a commitment to resilience, preparedness, and healthcare in austere environments.

**Melissa Hall** Melissa Hall is the Trauma Program Director at Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, with over a decade of trauma leadership experience. Melissa has been a registered nurse for 20 years in emergency medicine and trauma, working in various roles as a pediatric ED nurse, forensic nurse, trauma education & injury prevention coordinator. She is active at the local, state, and national levels and has a special interest in trauma systems management and leadership development. She has specialized experience in developing and implementing trauma post-mortem CT programs, including workflow design, legal and regulatory considerations, data analytics, and the use of PMCT to enhance trauma mortality review and system-wide quality improvement. Melissa is the past chair for the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) Leadership Development Committee and a member of the STN Member Engagement Committee.

**Kayla Whiteaker** Kayla Whiteaker is the Senior Manager of the Trauma and EGS programs at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Kayla has been an RN for over 15 years with experience in emergency medicine, critical care, and trauma. She has worked as an ED nurse, Trauma Resuscitation Nurse, Rapid Response/ Code Nurse, PI Coordinator and Trauma Program Manager. She received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and her Master’s in Nursing from Western Governor’s University. Kayla serves in multiple leadership roles within TCAA and STN. With STN, Kayla is the past chair of the TACTIC Committee, Member of the Member Engagement Committee, and serves on the Journal of Trauma Nursing Editorial Board. Kayla was the 2026 recipient of STN’s Clinical Excellence Award. In her spare time, Kayla is Mom to two boys, a wife, and a dog mom. She enjoys being outside and watching her kids play in multiple sports.

**Heather Finch** Heather Finch, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, is the Senior Director of Trauma Services for UCHealth Southern Colorado providing executive oversight for multiple state designated and ACS verified trauma programs. She is a recognized leader in trauma system development and performance improvement. She serves as Chair of the TCAA Disaster Preparedness Committee, Course Director for Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN), and a nurse consultant for American College of Surgeons Best Practice Guideline expert panels. Heather is a TCAA Fellow, trauma survey reviewer for Colorado and Wyoming, and an author and presenter on topics including trauma systems, disaster preparedness, whole blood programs, and trauma quality improvement.