American Trauma Society (ATS) is dedicated to the elimination of needless death and disability from injury. 

For over 50 years, the ATS has served as an advocate for the trauma care system, trauma prevention programs, trauma survivors and their families throughout the United States. Our mission is to Save Lives. Improve Care. Empower Survivors.  Our shared vision is a "world without preventable injuries where survivors thrive".  Four key pillars support the work of the ATS team on behalf of our members, including:

• Education
• Advocacy
• Infrastructure
• Empowerment

Excellent trauma care relies on an excellent trauma system.  Our four pillars are focused on the work of our trauma systems, state by state.   This requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to the care of the patient. Unlike other medical problems, a trauma patient's care cannot be reviewed and a decision reached as to where the patient wants to go or who should care for them. 

The survival of the trauma patient is dependent upon the trauma system to make that decision in the most expedient manner possible.

The survival of trauma patient is reliant upon the strength of the trauma system in that patient's geographical area. The trauma system must provide:

• Immediate response and medical care at the scene of the injury
• Rapid transport from the scene of the injury to a qualified trauma medical facility
• Qualified trauma medical facilities capable of delivering immediate medical care and ongoing treatment for the injured person(s).

Many members of the ATS are members of trauma teams in communities across the country. They are active in their communities and often are politically active, advocating trauma systems to their governments; federal, state and local.

The ATS strongly supports national and state legislation that creates and maintains trauma systems. It works closely with the U.S. Congress, various federal agencies and with the office of the President, supporting legislative and administrative efforts that address the financial and legal issues surrounding trauma.

The ATS provides critical information on trauma to its members, to policy makers, and to the public. It supports the needs of families. It is also a strong supporter of injury prevention, creating and producing programs and providing these programs to its members.

The members of ATS are the critical players in trauma care. They are the backbone of trauma systems. They provide the care trauma patients must have if they are to survive. ATS works with its members to insure that they are the best informed and the best prepared to provide unsurpassed medical care in their communities.