TCAA Annual Meeting 2026: 5 Sessions We're Looking Forward To (+ 2 Bonus Picks)

The TCAA Annual Meeting 2026 brings together trauma program leaders, TPMs, registrars, and system stakeholders focused on strengthening trauma programs across clinical, operational, and financial dimensions.

This year's agenda leans heavily into something we care deeply about: developing trauma leaders who can turn data, performance improvement, and operations into real program impact.

Below are 5 sessions we're looking forward to, plus 2 bonus picks worth checking out.

Sessions we're looking forward to

1. Metrics That Matter: Leveraging Data for Continuous Improvement

May 3, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (EDT) Speaker: Pomphrey (Pomphrey Consulting)

From their agenda:

This course empowers trauma program leaders and registry professionals to harness data for meaningful change. Participants will develop a robust Data Quality Plan, with emphasis on adapting to new software integrations and ensuring ongoing validation.

Through hands-on exploration of standard trauma statistics—including Cribari Grid, Nelson's methodology, and other key benchmarks—learners will gain the tools to assess performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement across clinical and operational domains.

Whether you're refining internal processes or preparing for external review, this course delivers the statistical fluency and strategic insight needed to elevate trauma care through data.

Why it matters:

Strong trauma programs start with trusted, validated data, the foundation for PI, reporting, and verification readiness.

2. Breakout Session: Building the Trauma Data Manager Role: Registry Excellence

May 5, 2026 | 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (EDT) Speakers: Jeanie Kenneally, Kaitlyn Strickland, Valerie Brockman, Victoria Broerman

From their agenda:

This breakout session explores innovative strategies to strengthen trauma systems by optimizing team roles and data-driven care.

Topics include redefining the impact of Advanced Practice Nurses in trauma care, examining trauma surgery requirements as a surrogate for military medical readiness, and building a sustainable Trauma Data Manager role to support registry excellence.

The session also highlights the role of trauma nurse navigation in improving coordination, continuity, and patient outcomes across the trauma continuum.

Why it matters:

Registry work is evolving into a core operational function tied directly to outcomes and PI performance.

3. Economics of Trauma Care in 2026

May 6, 2026 — Financial performance, program sustainability

This session explores practical financial tools for trauma program leaders, focusing on Financial Dashboards and the Trauma Finance Self-Assessment Toolkit.

Participants will learn how dashboards provide clear, actionable insights into trauma program profitability by linking clinical volume, resource utilization, and revenue.

Why it stands out:

Links clinical performance to financial sustainability, an increasingly important area for TPMs.

4. Data That Delivers: Performance Improvement in Burn Care

May 6, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM (EDT) Speaker: Carey Lamphier

From their agenda:

In an era where data-driven decision making is essential to delivering high quality patient care, the ability to efficiently capture, manage, and analyze data is critical. Grady Memorial Hospital's large, urban, American Burn Association (ABA) verified burn center cares for 3,500 outpatients and over 600 inpatients annually.

With the recent and anticipated expansions made by the ABA to the Burn Care Quality Platform (BCQP), their Burn Process Improvement team evaluated opportunities to mature our existing strategies. They recognized the need for a more streamlined and robust approach to extracting meaningful insights and sought to implement a system that would not only simplify documentation but also support the identification of trends and actionable items.

Why it matters:

As programs expand into areas like burn care, teams need more structured, connected approaches to data and performance improvement.

4. Using AI Tools to Unlock Your TQIP Report

May 5, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (EDT) Speaker: Joshua Dugal

From their agenda:

This Shark Tank–style session showcases innovative ideas designed to advance trauma care and injury prevention. Presenters will pitch initiatives ranging from using AI on TQIP reports, reducing pediatric transfers, and implementing fall recovery and prevention programs.

Expert feedback will focus on feasibility, impact, and scalability, fostering creative thinking and collaboration to improve trauma outcomes.

Why it matters:

This sounds like a fun one.

Bonus sessions worth checking out

⭐ AI in Healthcare

May 5, 2026 | 1:40 PM – 2:10 PM (EDT) Speaker: Caroline Alvarez

From their agenda:

This session will highlight how Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved in healthcare over the past five years, transitioning from experimental and research-focused applications to widely adopted tools integrated into clinical and operational workflows.

It will also present real-world examples of how AI is being used at the point of care to improve clinical and operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Why it matters:

AI is moving into everyday workflows, helping reduce manual work while also coming with its own set of challenges.

⭐ TCAA Dynamic Leadership Team

May 4, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 5:15 PM (EDT) Speakers: Elizabeth Seislove, Gaby Iskander, Nicole Pierce

From agenda:

This interactive course is designed for trauma center leaders, including Trauma Medical Directors, Trauma Program Managers, Directors of Trauma, and Executive Team Administrators. Led by experienced faculty, the course provides an in-depth exploration of leadership, operational, and strategic skills necessary to drive the success of a trauma program.

No matter what level of trauma center you are leading, this course will help you build upon the unique and collaborative relationships within your team and strengthen your leadership capacity.

Why it stands out:

Reinforces the importance of leadership development alongside technical expertise.

Trauma program leadership is evolving

Across these sessions, a few themes stand out:

• Stronger focus on data quality and validation
• Increased visibility into financial performance
• Growing role of AI and automation
• Continued emphasis on trauma leadership development

For TPMs, the role continues to evolve across all aspects of program performance, including data, performance improvement, operations, and financial performance.

This is exactly why initiatives like the Trauma TEAMS Scholarship exist.

The Trauma TEAMS Scholarship is developed with partners American Trauma Society (ATS), Society of Trauma Nurses (STN), and Trauma Center Association of America (TCAA), supporting both new and experienced trauma program leaders through education and mentorship.

The 2026 Trauma TEAMS cohort is now open to accepting applications for a short time.

👉 Explore the program and apply

👉 Take the quick, fun self-assessment: https://try.mynqs.com/assessment

Stop by the NQS Booth

If you're attending TCAA 2026, we'd love to connect.

Stop by to:

• See the NQS trauma registry & PI platform in action
• See the NQS burn registry & integrated PI
• Explore how teams are improving data workflows and reporting
• Talk through your program's current challenges
• Learn more about the Trauma TEAMS Scholarship for trauma leadership

Not Attending? You Can Still Connect

If you're not attending this year, you can still explore how NQS supports trauma programs.

Connect with us anytime: reach out via email, chat (on any page here), or book a demo to try the trauma registry yourself.

Plus, the 2026 Trauma TEAMS Scholarship is now open. Learn more and apply today.

See You at TCAA 2026

Events like TCAA highlight how trauma programs continue to evolve. Not just clinically, but operationally and technologically.

We're looking forward to the conversations, the sessions, and the opportunity to learn alongside the trauma community.

If you're attending, we hope to see you there.