VITAL COURSE
Vanderbilt Intensive Training in Acute Life-Saving procedures
Building confidence where it matters most
January 30, 2026 | Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn.
Emergency Medicine Physicians and Advanced Practice Practitioners:
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the inaugural offering of the VITAL Course (Vanderbilt Intensive Training in Acute Life-Saving procedures), taking place on Jan. 30, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Nationally recognized Vanderbilt EM faculty will provide hands-on procedural training and coaching opportunities with 8 hours of CME credit available.
This immersive, hands-on course is designed to strengthen procedural confidence and readiness in both core emergency medicine procedures and HALO (High Acuity, Low Occurrence) interventions. Participants will receive real-time coaching, feedback and skill reinforcement.
VITAL combines practical procedural training with evidence-based education to prepare you for the moments that matter most in emergency care.
Take advantage of early bird pricing!
Register by Nov. 1, 2025, and receive $50 off your course registration fee.
Agenda
Courses will be taught in small groups of no more than five people per group that will rotate through each 45-minute station to ensure adequate hands-on time.
Procedures will include (subject to change): Cricothyroidotomy, Fiberoptic Nasotracheal Intubation, Lateral Canthotomy, Pericardiocentesis, Obstetric emergency deliveries, Fasica Iliaca block, Peritonsillar Abscess Drainage, Transvenous Cardiac Pacing, Minnesota Tube Placement, Pig Tail chest tube, and more.
Detailed agenda coming soon.
Meet Our Instructors
Emily Pauw, MD
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Nihanth Peta, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Chase Palisch, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Amanda Smith, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Director of Undergraduate Medical Education
Jason Lesnick, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Kurt Smith, MD
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Julian Suszanski, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
Dwayne D'Souza, MD
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Jason V. Brown, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine
VITAL Course Directors
Jeremy S. Boyd, MD
Vice Chair for Faculty Development & Mentorship
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Ryan Walsh, MD
Director of Procedural Education and Training
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Venue
Light Hall
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
2215 Garland Ave., Nashville, TN 37232
Registration
Pricing, deadlines, and payment portal
Save $50 by registering early! In-person early bird fees are only valid until max capacity is reached or through Nov. 1, 2025, whichever comes first. Full price registration rates go into effect on Nov. 2, 2025.
| In-Person | Early Bird | Full Price |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians | $699.00 | $749.00 |
| NP/PA/APP | $599.00 | $649.00 |
| Resident/Fellow | $499.00 | $549.00 |
Cancellation Policy: In order to process refunds for course withdrawals, cancellations must be received in writing by Jan. 1, 2026 (subject to a service charge equivalent to 10% of the registration fee, but no less than $50). No refunds will be issued thereafter. The Vanderbilt Department of Emergency Medicine reserves the right to cancel or postpone the course due to unforeseen circumstances. In the event of cancellation or postponement, the department will refund registration fees. However, it is not responsible for reimbursement of related costs or expenses to participants including cancellation fees assessed by hotels, airlines, and travel agencies.