Improving Trauma Care Worldwide

Jonathan Epstein Elected Chair of the International Trauma Life Support Board of Directors

QUEBEC CITY – Jonathan L. Epstein, MEMS, NRP, was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) on November 6. The election was decided by the Board of Directors members at their meeting in Quebec City in conjunction with ITLS’ International Trauma Conference.

Epstein has served on the ITLS Board of Directors since 2009. He has served many roles within the ITLS organization, chairing a number of committees over the years and serving as Vice Chair prior to his election as Chair. He has conducted international courses and site visits in numerous countries worldwide. Epstein also remains active at the local level, maintaining his position as Chapter Coordinator of the Massachusetts Chapter of ITLS, a role he has held since 1996. He continues to teach courses and serve as an advocate for ITLS and trauma education within the Massachusetts EMS system.

Epstein is the Senior Director – Science and Content Development at the American Red Cross within the Preparedness, Health and Safety Services Division. Epstein lends his extensive clinical, education and training expertise to the development of Red Cross learning, development and safety products and materials for both lay responders and professional responders including health care and public safety professionals.

Epstein is an emeritus member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. The Council guides the Red Cross on emergency and safety treatments and practices that align with the latest evidence-based scientific and medical knowledge. Epstein served on the Council for 14 years as one of its original members.

Epstein currently serves as a member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) First Aid Taskforce and as an ILCOR Domain Lead for Emergency Care topics.  He has been a contributing author for both national and international first aid consensus on science with treatment recommendations (CoSTR) and first aid guidelines since 2005.

Epstein served for 17 years at NorthEast Emergency Medical Services, Inc., the Massachusetts Region III EMS Council, and 15 years as its Executive Director. The nonprofit organization is responsible for coordinating the EMS system for the 49 towns and cities northeast of the City of Boston.

International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing death and disability from trauma through education and emergency trauma care.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the Chapter. Board members determine and revise policies and actively pursue its purposes as well as organize and implement various committees and educational programs.