17-Year Experience with the Region IV (Southeastern) Regional Burn Conference

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This editorial explains how well received and how important it has been to provide education regarding current burn care in a regional burn conference. In addition, the networking between burn team members from neighboring burn centers has been exceptional. The informal nature of the conference facilitates this camaraderie. The conference has been well received by the burn team members in the region as well in many other regions. In 1985, the American Burn Association (ABA) established 10 regions in the United States, using the same regions the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma have for their regional organization. Region IV (the southeastern region) comprises eight states: North and South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. At the time that Region IV was established by the ABA, there were 22 burn units in the region; however, currently there are 17 burn units. The initial charge from the ABA to all 10 regions was to develop disaster plans specific to that region. A regional director was appointed in each region to be the official representative of the ABA and was charged with the responsibility of facilitating the development of the regional disaster plan.