Monsters of the Heart-the Effects of Energy Drinks and Supplements on First Responders
Alan Taylor II, MD, FACP, FACC
Karen Yates, MSN, RN, CEN, NPD-BC, EMT-P
More and more evidence supports the negative impact of energy drinks and supplements on the cardiovascular system. Many first responders utilize energy drinks to meet the mental and physical demands of the job. Many more use supplements to augment their personal work out routines. This presentation will cover the science, risks, and negative consequences of these habits.
About Dr. Alan Taylor
Dr. Taylor obtained his medical degree in 1986 from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois. After medical school, Dr. Taylor completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, and a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed Interventional Cardiology training at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Taylor is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease and is an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at The University of Texas at Arlington. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology; and a Member of Tarrant County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association. Dr. Taylor and his family live in Mansfield, TX.
Dr. Alan Taylor is a Cardiologist with Premier Cardiovascular Care in Mansfield, TX. Dr. Taylor serves as the Medical Director for Methodist Mansfield Medical Center’s Joint Commission Primary Chest Pain Program. Dr. Taylor is also the Co-Chair for Mission LifeLine North Texas and Medical Director for the North Central Texas Regional Advisory Council Cardiac Committee. He is also a member of the Governor’s Emergency Trauma Advisory Council on the Cardiac Committee (GETAC).
He is a well -known speaker at a variety of local and state EMS and Nursing Conferences. He has been honored in the past as the DFW Hospital Council Physician of the Year and the CareFlite Healthcare Excellence Responder Tribute Award for Physicians.
About Karen Yates
Karen Yates is a Nursing Clinical Coordinator at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. In this role, she serves as the Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator and EMS Liaison. As the former Chest Pain Coordinator, she led the hospital to successful accreditation from The Joint Commission as a Primary Heart Attack Center. Karen is a third term member of the Governor’s Advisory Council Cardiac Committee, and former Chair of the Cardiac Committee of the North Central Texas Regional Advisory Council (NCTTRAC). Karen currently chairs the NCTTRAC Public Education and Injury Prevention sub-committee. Karen is also active with American Heart Association’s Mission LifeLine North Texas.
Karen has forty plus years of experience in pre-hospital and hospital management of the acutely ill and injured patient. She has worked as a ground and fixed wing transport paramedic. Her nursing background includes ICU, ED, and trauma Medical/Surgical. Karen has worked for Methodist Health System for thirty-five years, working in positions such as Emergency Department Nurse Manager, Emergency Department Educator, EMS Manager, and staff nurse.
Karen has extensive teaching experience. She holds instructor credentials in numerous nursing and EMS courses. Karen has coordinated numerous programs and courses including EMT and Paramedic training, as well as nursing and EMS conferences. She is a much sought after speaker at trauma, cardiac, emergency nurses, and EMS conferences.
In addition to her work for Methodist Health System Karen also owns and operates a continuing education company. She specializes in continuing education for EMS providers. She is also active as a volunteer with the Dallas Area Crisis Response Team, First Responder Resiliency Program and Mental Health for Heroes.
