Gathering of the Eagles: A fortnight of insights and clinical collaboration
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the Gathering of Eagles session at the First There First Care Conference in sunny Miami, followed by a week in Baltimore deepening our clinical relationships. It was an energising and inspiring trip that reinforced the value of staying closely connected to the people and practices shaping prehospital and emergency care.
Gathering of Eagles: Highlights from the Conference
We’ve often heard that the Gathering of Eagles is a cornerstone event in the EMS calendar, and this year, attending for the first time, it lived up to our expectations. The session brought together some of the most respected thought leaders in emergency medicine, offering a platform for new ideas, research findings, and system-wide innovations.
Key takeaways included:
Hearing about the increasing use of pre-hospital TXA, the rollout of whole blood, and the concept of walking blood banks really underscored the critical importance of timely haemorrhage control and sparked reflection on how every second counts.
Lt. Holly O’Byrne shared data from her jurisdiction showing that 76% of trauma cases are penetrating injuries, alongside the staggering $1.5 million economic loss associated with each homicide. Her talk resonated deeply with ACT’s mission to reduce mortality from penetrating trauma—and highlighted the significant economic impact that life-saving interventions can deliver.
Dr. David Persse discussed the concept of all-BLS ambulances and the scope to reduce scene time and accelerate interventions. Meanwhile, Dr. Roger Stone flagged how interfacility transport is placing increasing strain on EMS systems and is misaligned with their primary mission.
A recurring theme throughout the session was clear: early intervention saves lives. Whether addressing haemorrhage, heat stroke, or postpartum emergencies, EMS providers must be empowered to act fast and effectively.
It was affirming to see how much alignment there is between what was being discussed on stage and the challenges and opportunities we’re working on behind the scenes.
Baltimore: Strengthening Clinical Partnerships
Following the conference, I travelled to Baltimore, for a week of site visits and clinical collaboration. These in-person meetings are essential for gaining real-world feedback, observing practice in context, and continuing to refine our understanding of how and where B.O.B can make a meaningful impact—and what it will take to get there.
Armed with updated prototypes, I met with our Clinical Advisory Board members, Robert Sikorski and Andrew Naumann, to share the latest design refinements. Both were enthusiastic about the progress, particularly the improvements aimed at manufacturing at scale.
We also caught up with several regional EMS departments who have helped shape the evolution of the device. Feedback on the new features was overwhelmingly positive, including:
A simplified twist-off activation mechanism designed for use with gloved hands
Compatibility with slip tip syringes for safe field deactivation
A tapered connection port designed to interface with surgical suction systems
Their message was clear: they’re ready to start using B.O.B. as soon as possible.
Looking Ahead
Trips like this reinforce the importance of staying grounded in the realities of frontline care—whether it’s in a bustling trauma centre or in the back of an ambulance. We're excited to carry these insights forward as we continue to refine B.O.B. and work toward bringing life-saving innovation to those who need it most.
If you attended the conference, or are interested in collaborating on clinical testing or feedback, we’d love to connect. You can reach me via email at emma.priestley@actmedical.co.uk.
ACT Medical’s award-winning medical device concept aims to save the lives of trauma victims by stemming bleeding from knife and gunshot wounds. Follow ACT Medical on LinkedIn for latest updates or email hello@actmedical.co.uk to speak to us directly.