Name
Small Patients, Heavy Scenes: Child Abuse in Prehospital Care
Date & Time
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Speakers
Matthew Harris, Northwell HealthPediatric Medical DirectorDr. Matthew Harris is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and an attending physician in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York. He serves as the Medical Director for Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Transport and as Associate Medical Director for the Northwell Health Center for Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Harris is also the Medical Director for Crisis Management and Emergency Preparedness at Northwell Health, where he leads multidisciplinary initiatives to improve system readiness, interfacility coordination, and prehospital pediatric care. With more than twenty-six years of experience in prehospital medicine, Dr. Harris began his EMS career as an emergency medical technician and paramedic before becoming an EMS and transport medical director and field physician. His career has spanned the continuum of prehospital care—from field response and air medical transport to academic leadership in EMS education, clinical research, and systems integration. Regionally, Dr. Harris serves as the pediatric emergency medicine representative to the NYC and Nassau County Regional Advisory Councils. In New York State, he serves on the advisory council for the EMS for Children’s Program. His role as the FEMA Region 2 Principal Investigator has allowed him to partner with children’s hospitals and EMS agencies across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to improve the care of children in the prehospital and interfacility settings. Nationally, Dr. Harris has served as Chair of the Pediatrics Committee of the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) and as an Executive Committee Member for both the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Transport Medicine and the National Pediatric Disaster Coalition. His research and publications have focused on prehospital pediatric resuscitation, transport safety, disaster preparedness, and improving pediatric readiness across EMS systems.Matthew Harris
Matthew Harris
Description

Child abuse and neglect is more common than we think. Sometime its obvious, often time subtle. EMS clinicians have a responsibility to recognize, manage, and report cases of child abuse and neglect. With that responsibility comes the emotional challenges that many EMS clinicians experience dealing with such challenging cases.

Empowering EMS clinicians with the knowledge to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect keep children safe. Offering opportunities to first responders to respond emotionally to these events support EMS clinician resiliency.

NYS CME - All Levels - Core - Pediatric/ OB/ NEO

Session Type
General Session