On-Air: The CATRAC Podcast

In Episode 2 of On Air with CATRAC, host Mike Verkest sits down with Dinah Welsh, President and CEO of the Texas EMS Trauma and Acute Care Foundation, and Douglas Havron, Executive Director and CEO of CATRAC, to unpack the meaning behind the statewide message: “Because of a RAC.”Together, they discuss how Regional Advisory Councils bring EMS agencies, hospitals, specialty care providers, emergency management, public health, and disaster response partners together to improve care across Texas. From trauma, stroke, cardiac, pediatric readiness, and whole blood initiatives to disaster preparedness, data sharing, hospital coordination, and legislative advocacy, this episode highlights the work happening behind the scenes to make emergency healthcare systems stronger.Because of a RAC, communities receive more coordinated care, systems become more connected, and patients benefit from a regional approach focused on readiness, outcomes, and continuous improvement.

In the inaugural episode of The CATRAC Podcast, host Mike Verkest sits down with Douglas Havron, Executive Director and CEO of the Capital Area of Texas Regional Advisory Council, to answer a foundational question: what exactly is a RAC, and why does it matter?Douglas breaks down how CATRAC supports emergency healthcare across 11 Central Texas counties by coordinating hospitals, EMS agencies, first responders, public health, emergency management, and disaster response partners. From trauma systems and stroke care to hospital diversion, wall times, data sharing, and regional preparedness, this episode pulls back the curtain on the systems that help clinicians deliver better care when seconds matter.This launch episode sets the stage for future conversations about regional coordination, patient outcomes, emergency healthcare systems, and the people working behind the scenes to move care forward.For more information, visit catrac.org