TraumaCon 2025 - Bio

Katherine Bendickson started her medical journey as a Spokane Volunteer Fire Fighter in her father's footsteps when she was 16. From the intense fire department her love of emergency and trauma medicine flourished. She graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor's in science and nursing and a job waiting in Anchorage, AK where her husband was stationed in the Army. After working a year on the medical surgical/stepdown unit she moved to into the Emergency Department. After many adventures and medical stories, she landed in Seattle, WA. Katherine's background includes working as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, working several trauma centers from 1-4, and caring for all ages and backgrounds in the process. Currently she is the Trauma Program Coordinator at Valley Medical Center, a Level III trauma facility near Seattle, WA. As chair of the Geriatric Committee, she hopes to bring her knowledge, passion, and drive to create the best outcomes for such a large part of the trauma population that is frequently underserved.

Cindy Blank-Reid received BSN from Villanova Univ. and MSN in Burn, Trauma and Emergency Nursing from Widener Univ. Has worked on a surgical floor, trauma/NS ICU, ED, pre-hospital and as a TPM. For the past 20 years she has been the Trauma CNS at Temple Univ. Hospital in Philadelphia. Has published and lectured nationally and internationally on a multitude of nursing topics. Has worked on several STN committees including geriatrics and the annual conference. Has served on the Society of Trauma Nurses Board of Directors and is a Past President.

Helen is a paediatric trauma program manager with 26+ years-experience at a Level 1 trauma centre. She is the STN International Director and chairs the international committee as well as participating in several committees. Helen is the Australian & New Zealand Trauma Society, President & a member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Trauma Committee. She is an ATLS & an Emergency Trauma Management Coordinator & she is undertaking her Masters of Traumatology.

LeAnne Young oversees Trauma & Injury Prevention at Texas Children's Hospital. She has over 18 years of trauma nursing experience with over 12 years in adult & pediatric trauma program operations. LeAnne has presented both nationally & internationally on pediatric trauma mortality, child physical abuse, and trauma performance improvement. She is an active member of STN, TCAA, PTS, EAST, ATS and the ACS.