Mentoring Trauma Nurses: A Global Perspective on Leadership and Resilience in Conflict Zones

Kathleen Martin (KM) is an internationally renowned trauma nurse, mentor, and humanitarian whose career has impacted trauma nurses. As the keynote speaker for this year’s Sharon M Henry Maryland Committee on Trauma State-of-the-Art Lecture, no one is better qualified to illuminate the vital—but too often overlooked—role of trauma nursing in austere and conflict-affected settings than KM. Her discussion helped illuminate that trauma nursing plays a pivotal role in global conflict zones, yet the unique challenges and contributions of nurses are often underrepresented in trauma literature. This keynote, transcribed and shared, reflects on a multidisciplinary mentorship initiative supporting trauma care in Ukraine, emphasizing leadership, cross-cultural collaboration, and the development of sustainable nursing practices (see supplemental file). Through direct fieldwork and partnership with Ukrainian hospitals during the war, the author led a volunteer nursing mission integrated with the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group. Structured education, bedside mentorship, and infection control protocols were implemented in Lviv’s 3000-bed hospital. Cross-cultural and logistical barriers were addressed through adaptive teaching strategies and remote follow-up. Key advancements included initiation of multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) rounds, infection surveillance using custom-built tools, introduction of evidence-based protocols, and integration of nurses into medical planning. A national burn ICU and rehabilitation center was supported through international donations. Nurse engagement and empowerment markedly improved, and training programs were expanded through virtual platforms and NGO partnerships. Mentorship across borders can catalyze systemic improvements in trauma care, even amid war. This experience underscores the necessity of including nurses in trauma system development and illustrates the power of international collaboration in advancing trauma nursing practice in austere and conflict-affected settings.