Matthew Harris

Matthew Harris

MD
EMS Physician Medical Director, Pediatric Transfer Medicine
Northwell Health
New Hyde Park, NY

Dr. Matthew Harris is a board-certified EMS and pediatric emergency medicine physician with extensive clinical, academic, and operational experience in disaster preparedness, pediatric transport, and prehospital care. His work integrates real-world EMS systems leadership, regional pediatric disaster coalition coordination, and research collaborations focused on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, trauma systems, and pediatric resuscitation. Dr. Harris began his career as an EMT with the New City Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 2000, earning his paramedic certification in 2005. He has served as an active field physician, flight physician, and EMS medical director and remains active in several local, state, and national organizations, advocating for EMS clinicians and the needs of children in the prehospital setting.

Beyond the Call: Prehospital Recognition and Care of Abused Children (Wednesday, October 21, 2026 - 11:45-1:00pm)

Child abuse and neglect present complex clinical and emotional challenges for EMS clinicians. With unique access to children, families, and the environments in which they live, prehospital providers are often in a critical position to recognize children at risk. This presentation will review the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of child abuse and neglect, including key physical findings and common mimics. Participants will explore the essential components of high-quality, objective documentation and effective reporting, with an emphasis on supporting appropriate evaluation and protecting vulnerable children. The session will also address the emotional impact these difficult cases can have on providers and discuss practical strategies for supporting EMS clinicians following challenging encounters involving suspected or confirmed child abuse.

PEDS - Pediatric EMS in Action: Cases, Skills & Simulation (Wednesday, October 21, 2026 - 4:00-6:00pm)

This interactive, hands-on skills fair brings pediatric and neonatal emergency care to life through case-based learning, procedural skills stations, and high-fidelity simulation. Participants will rotate through practical scenarios designed to refine critical skills, strengthen airway management across multiple modalities, and build confidence when caring for critically ill or injured children and newborns. Through immersive simulation, participants will practice strategies to reduce cognitive strain, improve decision-making, and enhance team performance during pediatric resuscitation. Special emphasis will be placed on high-acuity, low-occurrence (HALO) events, giving clinicians the opportunity to practice rare but critical interventions in a supportive learning environment. Participants will leave with practical strategies, greater confidence, and skills they can immediately apply to pediatric and neonatal emergencies in the field.