We’re excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Trauma TEAMS Scholarship—eight new and experienced trauma program leaders from rural communities to busy urban trauma centers, recognized for their dedication to improving trauma care in their communities.
The Trauma TEAMS Scholarship—created through a partnership between NQS, ATS, TCAA, and STN—is an investment in the future of trauma program leadership. Its mission is to ensure talented trauma leaders have access to the knowledge, skills, and professional networks they need to excel.
Selected scholars receive full tuition for leadership-focused trauma courses from the partner organizations, along with opportunities to build connections, exchange ideas, and apply new strategies that strengthen trauma systems in their communities.
Beyond the classroom, TEAMS fosters networking, collaboration, and mentorship, giving recipients a platform to share best practices and advance their careers.
And when it comes to helping trauma professionals connect, learn, and grow—we’re excited for you to meet this year’s new and experienced trauma program leader recipients.
Highly Competitive
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all applicants. This year’s selection was highly competitive, reflecting the incredible dedication and talent of trauma leaders nationwide. The future of trauma leadership looks bright.
And for those interested in joining the next cohort, the waitlist for the 2026 TEAMS Scholarship is now open.
New Trauma Leaders
Meet the TEAMS Emerging Trauma Leader Scholars—promising new leaders with three years or less in a trauma leadership role.
Alena Romanyuk
Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
With over 16 years in the ED, Alena Romanyuk’s career has taken her from patient registration to Trauma Nurse Coordinator and now Trauma Program Manager. She stepped into the TPM role during a transition year and helped guide her program through ACS reverification. Based at one of the few Level I trauma centers in her rural state, she is focused on advancing trauma research, and statewide collaboration.
“My goal is to establish a trauma program that not only supports the growth and retention of our team but also contributes to the broader trauma community throughout our rural state for continued collaborative research and shared learning.”
Through the TEAMS Scholarship, Alena aims to strengthen her leadership skills, enhance PI and quality improvement efforts, and bring new ideas to both her institution and her state.
Mallory Cash
Manning Family Children’s
Mallory Cash began her career as a pediatric emergency nurse before moving into leadership as a Clinical Supervisor and now Trauma Program Manager at a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. She leads a multidisciplinary team, oversees the trauma registry, and works on performance improvement, education, and injury prevention.
“I aspire to be a leader who not only ensures excellence but also inspires innovation and elevates pediatric trauma standards.”
In her first months as TPM, Mallory has advanced protocols and education initiatives. Mallory plans to use the TEAMS Scholarship to build leadership capacity, gain mentorship, and bring back ideas to expand injury prevention and improve pediatric trauma outcomes.
Sharon Rigney
Bayhealth Hospital
Sharon Rigney started with an ED clinical rotation that sparked a passion for emergency care. After 12 years as an ED nurse, she became Trauma Program Coordinator, bringing a focus on education, mentorship, and continuous learning. She is dedicated to building collaboration and advancing trauma program performance through evidence-based practice.
“I aspire to lead like those who mentored me: with knowledge, compassion, and purpose.”
Sharon intends to leverage the TEAMS Scholarship to strengthen her leadership and financial management skills, expand her knowledge of trauma program infrastructure, and enhance performance improvement processes. Her goal is to keep the program strong, advocate for smart investments, and improve patient care through data-driven initiatives.
Sarah Hines
PeaceHealth Ketchikan Med Center
Sarah Hines started as an EMT and paramedic before moving into ED nursing at a Level I trauma and burn center. She has worked in Ketchikan, Alaska, and in 2024 became trauma coordinator for the community’s Level IV trauma center, focusing on strengthening the program despite its remote location.
“I aim to strengthen our local trauma program and serve as a model for other rural communities navigating similar barriers.”
Sarah hopes the TEAMS Scholarship will deepen her knowledge in PI, outcome tracking, registry management, and program development. She also hopes to expand mentorship connections, strengthen regional trauma networks, and improve access and outcomes for trauma patients across Southeast Alaska.
Experienced Trauma Leaders
Meet the TEAMS Trauma Leadership Excellence Scholars—seasoned trauma leaders with more than three years of experience, recognized for their commitment to advancing trauma care.
Jennifer Koontz
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Jennifer Koontz has over 15 years of trauma nursing experience, starting as a staff nurse and later managing an inpatient trauma floor before becoming Trauma Program Manager at a rural Level I trauma center. Her role involves coordinating high-acuity trauma care across a wide region, aligning staff education, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.
“I aspire to lead initiatives that elevate trauma care standards locally and nationally, ensuring that even rural trauma centers deliver the highest quality care.”
Jennifer plans to use the TEAMS Scholarship to expand her skills in trauma systems management, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice. She plans to apply this knowledge to strengthen team coordination, enhance education initiatives, and improve patient outcomes in her community.
Courtney Caton
Mary Washington Hospital
Courtney Caton began her trauma career at just 16 years old as an EMT, quickly discovering her passion for emergency care. Following high school, she pursued a nursing degree and began her career as an ED nurse at a very busy Level I Trauma Center. Her dedication to advancing trauma care led her into leadership roles—first as a Clinical Nurse Educator in the ED of a Level I Trauma Center, then as a Trauma Program Director, where she successfully guided centers through trauma designation and reverification processes.
Now serving as the Director of Trauma Services at Mary Washington Hospital, Courtney is leading efforts to transition the program from meeting state trauma standards to aligning with the more rigorous American College of Surgeons trauma standards, with the goal of delivering the highest level of care to her community.
“I strive to build a system that delivers exceptional care from point of injury through recovery.”
Courtney seeks to leverage the TEAMS Scholarship to deepen her expertise in trauma program finance, performance improvement, and system-level leadership. She plans to apply this knowledge to advocate for essential resources, achieve ACS verification, and enhance trauma outcomes throughout the region.
Miranda Newberry
Good Samaritan
Miranda Newberry has worked in the ER for 24 years, serving as Charge Nurse, Shift Coordinator, and now Trauma Program Manager at a Level III trauma center. She helped lead her hospital through initial designation and is passionate about injury prevention, a mission made deeply personal after a motor vehicle accident.
“Injury prevention isn’t just a professional goal; it’s a personal mission.”
Miranda plans to use the TEAMS Scholarship to strengthen her leadership and financial advocacy skills, improve billing accuracy for trauma activations, and advance injury prevention programs. She aims to position her hospital as a regional leader in Level III trauma care and expand community safety initiatives.
Jeffery Scott Hale
Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Jeffery Scott Hale serves as Trauma Program Manager at two rural hospitals while also leading as EMS Chief for Mount Hope Fire and EMS and directing the BARH EMS Training Center. His work spans the continuum of care from prehospital response to definitive treatment, with a focus on building trauma infrastructure in facilities with limited resources.
“My commitment ensures all trauma patients receive top professional standard care with particular attention to those in underserved rural areas.”
Through the TEAMS Scholarship, Jeffery aims to expand his trauma leadership skills, strengthen performance improvement processes, and develop trauma-specific education for EMS, nursing, and physician teams. He aims to advance rural trauma systems, improve data use, and ensure consistent, evidence-based care across all settings.
Conclusion
The Trauma TEAMS Scholarship recognizes and supports both emerging and seasoned leaders in trauma program management. Each scholar’s journey reflects a commitment to improving trauma care through leadership, education, and collaboration.
We’re proud to support these leaders—and we can’t wait to see the impact they make in their programs, communities, and the trauma field at large.
Want to be part of the next class of scholars? Visit the TEAMS Scholarship website to learn more about the program and join the waitlist for the 2026 Scholarship cohort.
