Lynn H. Schweer RN, MSN, Trauma Program Manager, joined the Trauma Department of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in September 1989 as the trauma nurse coordinator.

Schweer received her BSN from Ohio State University and MSN from the University of Cincinnati. Prior to her present position, Lynn was a surgical intensive care nurse at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, and the trauma nurse coordinator at Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio.

In the early 1990s, one aspect of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center's strategic plan was to formalize the development of a regional pediatric trauma center which was in compliance with standards developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Lynn's responsibility included overseeing the progression of all aspects of trauma center development -- administration, education, clinical, research and performance improvement.

A formalized Trauma Service and trauma resuscitation team were implemented, communication to the EMS personnel was expanded, a trauma registry was started, a trauma clinical nurse specialist / nurse practitioner expanded the clinical aspect of the program and finally, injury prevention was incorporated into the context of the Trauma Program.

In 1993, Cincinnati Children's received their first Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verification, with subsequent re-verification in 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2006.

Schweer is actively involved as a trauma coordinator at the local, state and national levels. In recent years, Lynn held the position of secretary and president within the Ohio Society of Trauma Nurse Coordinators (OSTNC).

At the regional level, Schweer is currently contributing to the development of a regionalized Cincinnati trauma system by participating on the steering committee and within specific trauma sub-committees. Nationally, Lynn co-chairs the Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) Pediatric Trauma Special Interest Group.

In addition to her hospital responsibilities, Schweer has site-reviewed and provided consultations for other pediatric trauma centers in the United States.