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Faculty

Seth Hawkins

MD, NREMT, MA, MPH
Associate Professor
Wake Forest University

Seth Collings Hawkins is an anthropologist-physician, double board-certified in emergency medicine and EMS, and an associate professor of emergency medicine at Wake Forest University as well as associate director of its Wilderness Medicine Fellowship. He’s the first physician named Master Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. He’s also a Fellow of the Academy of EMS, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. He is medical director of about one dozen EMS entities, including tribal, federal, state, educational, and private EMS agencies.

2026 Sessions

Skin Color Assessment in EMS Education and Practice

Yes, I understand

Accurate assessment of skin findings is essential in emergency and clinical medicine, yet traditional medical education often centers on lighter skin tones, leading to diagnostic delays and disparities in care for patients with richer melanin. This presentation examines how common clinical indicators—such as pallor, cyanosis, perfusion changes, rashes, burns, and trauma patterns—can appear differently across diverse skin tones. Through evidence-based review, public health data, and case analysis, participants will explore gaps in current medical literature and gain practical strategies for improving assessment accuracy. The session emphasizes the importance of recognizing baseline skin variation, utilizing reliable non-color-dependent indicators, and integrating inclusive practices into medical training and patient evaluation.

Co-Presenter (2 Presenters)

Presenter (1 Presenter)

Thursday, October 01 2:15–3:15 PM
Room W224 B
Faculty

Seth Hawkins

MD, NREMT, MA, MPH
Associate Professor
Wake Forest University

Seth Collings Hawkins is an anthropologist-physician, double board-certified in emergency medicine and EMS, and an associate professor of emergency medicine at Wake Forest University as well as associate director of its Wilderness Medicine Fellowship. He’s the first physician named Master Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. He’s also a Fellow of the Academy of EMS, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. He is medical director of about one dozen EMS entities, including tribal, federal, state, educational, and private EMS agencies.

Faculty

Justin Padgett

M.S., Paramedic, WEMT
Executive Director
Landmark Learning

Justin S. Padgett, MS, Paramedic, WEMT, NCOEMS Program Coordinator, serves as the Executive Director of Landmark Learning. Since 1996, Landmark Learning has been dedicated to providing students with training in out-of-hospital care, wilderness medicine, and water rescue. Our students are outdoor educators and guides, international trip leaders, remote scientists, park service, forest service, military, and public safety personnel. The Landmark Learning campus in Cullowhee, NC, trains over 3,000 students annually. He holds a BS in Social Gerontology from Appalachian State University and an MS in Corporate Training and Development from Western Carolina University.
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