The IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center team is dedicated to serving the Indianapolis community. This not only includes delivering excellent patient care, but also involves education, outreach and involvement in the community.
Indiana Partnership to Prevent Violent Injury and Death
This organization seeks to create a statewide firearm injury and death surveillance system that will help present an understanding of the circumstances surrounding the gun injuries and deaths that occur in Marion County and, ultimately, throughout the state. In 2005, the partnership paired with the Indiana University/ Purdue University School of Law – Indianapolis, Hall Center for Law and Health. Grant funding for the partnership will continue through 2006 from the Joyce Foundation. The partnership receives additional funding from a Clarian Health Values Grant.
ENCARE
ENCARE is an Emergency Nurses Association-sponsored community effort that enters junior high and high schools throughout Marion County and presents seminars on alcohol-related accidents and injuries resulting from improper use of vehicle safety belts. According to recent surveys, alcohol and other drug use continue to be a major problem among teenagers, and, only through a multi-pronged approach, including education and enforcement, will we be able to prevent this abuse.
ThinkFirst for Kids
The ThinkFirst for Kids Program was developed to increase knowledge and awareness among elementary school children (grades 1-3) about the causes and consequences of brain and spinal cord injury, injury prevention and safety habits that reduce the risk of injury. The IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center staff participated in several third grade classrooms in the Indianapolis Public Schools system by complementing the students’ curriculum with important injury prevention and safety habits.
Educating Kids about Gun-Violence (EKG)
Educating Kids about Gun-Violence is a youth gun-violence education and prevention program.
EKG works to prevent youth gun violence by educating students about legal, medical and emotional consequences of youth gun possession and related gun violence, as well as encouraging young people to consider options and choices available to them in situations involving guns. It is a partnership between the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, the Indianapolis Police Department, and other agencies within Marion County including the IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center.
Community Health Fairs
In 2005, the IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center staff participated in four health fairs providing the community with injury prevention information including seat belt safety, car seat safety and gun safety. Nearly 2,000 gunlocks were provided to health fair participants along with the gun safety information.