Barbara Barlow, MD, FAAP, FACS

Professor of Surgery in Epidemiology
Associate Director, Center for Injury Science and Prevention
Executive Director, Injury Free Coalition for Kids
Mailman School of Public Health
Columbia University in the City of New York

 

Welcome to the 29th Annual Injury Free Coalition for Kids Conference. It is wonderful to see you again in Fort Lauderdale. Welcome to those of you who are here for the first time. Enjoy all the presentations which allow us to learn from each other. Please network and meet other Injury Prevention attendees who can help you develop your programs.

The Injury Free Coalition continues to grow each year from the 40 original sites. Our original PIs are now holding national leadership positions which will elevate injury prevention as a needed focus for research and program development. We applaud the hard work of the Program Coordinators and give special thanks for the hard work of Dilenny Roca Dominguez, Coordinator of Injury Free and the National Program Office, and Walter Rice who manages all our communications.

Many of you have worked hard to review abstracts, develop the Annual Meeting Program, choose papers for publication and head up our many committees. We consider all of you Injury Prevention stars. Special thanks to Dr. Monroe, Board President and Dr. Michael Levas, Program Committee Chair.

This year was the 5th year of National Injury Prevention Day. I hope you all will participate every November 18th to shine green lights and remind everyone to work for safe communities as well as participating in community events to promote safety. Injury Free has been joined by many organizations devoted to preventing injuries and make our country safe for everyone. The need for injury prevention is great and there is much work to do. It truly takes a village working together to keep everyone safe.