2025 Principal Investigator of the Year
Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS
Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine
Medical Director, Emergency Behavioral Health Services
Connecticut Children’s
Research Scientist, Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center
Associate Professor, UConn School of Medicine
This year we recognize Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS, CPST as the 2025 Principal Investigator of the Year for Injury Prevention for his exemplary leadership, groundbreaking research, and unwavering dedication to protecting children and families from preventable injuries.
Dr. Rogers serves as the Medical Director of Emergency Behavioral Health Services at Connecticut Children’s, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and a Research Scientist at the Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center. As Co–PI for Injury Free Coalition for Kids – Hartford, CT and a member of the Injury Free Board of Directors he has been instrumental in advancing the Coalition’s mission to prevent injuries to children and building safer, healthier communities for all children.
Dr. Rogers takes an innovative and multidisciplinary approach to injury prevention and injury science. He has combined clinical care, research, and advocacy. He is a pediatric emergency physician, a car passenger safety technician who also focuses on youth behavioral health which uniquely positions him to understand and address the complex intersections of physical and behavioral health injury risks.
Dr. Rogers’ research portfolio reflects a deep and sustained commitment to understanding and preventing youth suicide and behavioral health crises in the emergency care setting. His recent publications—such as “Screening and Risk Algorithms for Detecting Pediatric Suicide Risk in the Emergency Department” (2025), “Feasibility and Importance of Universal Suicide Screening in a Pediatric Emergency Department” (2025), and “Using Transfer Learning to Improve Prediction of Suicide Risk in Acute Care Hospitals” (2025)—have contributed significantly to the national dialogue on suicide prevention in children and adolescents. Dr. Rogers has also made major contributions to injury prevention research more broadly, co-authoring studies such as “A Multicenter Evaluation of Pediatric Emergency Department Injury Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic” (2023) and “Violence Prevention Emergency Tool (VPET) Screening of Youth in the Pediatric ED” (2020), which have provided key insights into how environmental, social, and systemic factors affect injury trends and risk patterns in children and adolescents.
As part of his nomination, Dr. Kevin Borrup, Executive Director of the Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center writes that Dr. Rogers is “a constant champion of children and the Injury Free Coalition for Kids® since he joined Connecticut Children’s. Dr. Rogers has worked to completely change how we approach the mental health wellness of children internally at the hospital and in the community over a period of time that has been typified by a swelling public health crisis related to suicide”
Throughout his career, Dr. Rogers has exemplified excellence in research and advocacy. His work continues to influence policy, improve practice, and inspires collaboration across clinical, academic, and community settings. His leadership embodies the mission and values of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, and his contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on child health and safety.
The Injury Free Coalition for Kids proudly honors Dr. Steven C. Rogers as the 2025 Principal Investigator of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding research and commitment to improving the lives of children and families through evidence-based prevention.
2025 Program Coordinator of the Year
Mary Beth Vassy, MPH, CPST-I
Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator
Safe Kids South Carolina Charleston Area Coalition Coordinator
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children’s Health
Mary Beth Vassy, MPH, CPST-I, has emerged as a dynamic and influential leader within the Injury Free Coalition for Kids (IFCK), bringing energy, innovation, and collaboration to every initiative she touches. Since joining the coalition just a few years ago, she has made a profound impact by chairing multiple committees, actively participating in national conferences, and fostering engagement among fellow Program Coordinators to elevate the coalition’s collective work.
As the leader of the Safe Sleep Sub-committee, Mary Beth has championed efforts to reduce infant sleep-related deaths through education and outreach. She also founded the Young PCs Subcommittee, creating a space for emerging professionals to connect, share strategies, and grow within the injury prevention field. Her involvement in the Child Passenger Safety Sub-committee reflects her commitment to keeping children safe in vehicles through evidence-based practices and community engagement.
Mary Beth serves as the Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator for MUSC Children’s Health and leads the Safe Kids Charleston Area Coalition, where she implements programs like car seat checkups, safety workshops, and drowning prevention campaigns tailored to local needs. Her leadership was especially visible during a recent surge in child drownings in the Lowcountry, where she used her platform to educate families on water safety and advocate for proactive measures.
A skilled communicator, Mary Beth leverages Instagram as an educational tool, sharing practical safety tips and engaging content that resonates with families. Her expertise has also made her a trusted voice on local television, where she delivers clear, actionable guidance on injury prevention topics ranging from golf cart safety to safe sleep practices.
Her background in public health and biostatistics, combined with her hands-on experience in trauma prevention, makes her a go-to resource in both clinical and community settings. Whether she’s coordinating a coalition event, mentoring young professionals, or speaking to the media, Mary Beth Vassy exemplifies the spirit of Injury Free. She is collaborative, evidence-driven, and deeply committed to protecting children.
It is for these reasons that we are excited to award Mary Beth Vassy as the 2025 Program Coordinator of the Year, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, innovative approach to injury prevention, and unwavering dedication to protecting children and families in her community and beyond.