2026 Principal Investigator of the Year

Ben Hoffman, MD, CPST-I, FAAP

Professor of Pediatrics
Vice Chair, Advocacy
Director, Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs
Medical Director, Doernbecher Injury Prevention Program
Past-President, American Academy of Pediatrics

Nominated by Adrienne Gallardo, MA, CPST-I, Injury Free Coalition for Kids – Portland, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

Ben is a passionate advocate for children who has dedicated his entire career to advancing child safety initiatives and doing what is best for kids. Throughout his professional life, he has worked tirelessly to champion policies, programs, and legislative changes that create safer environments for children and families. His leadership and commitment have helped drive meaningful improvements that protect children.

Ben has been a highly engaged member of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids community. Throughout the 10 years of our membership, his involvement has consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring and supporting others. He never hesitates to share his expertise, knowledge, time, and experience with students, colleagues, and Injury Prevention Coordinators. His willingness to educate, collaborate, and inspire has strengthened injury prevention efforts across the country and contributed significantly to the growth and development of our local Coalition. Through his leadership, guidance, and dedication to building the next generation of injury prevention advocates, Ben has helped expand the reach, impact, and sustainability of injury prevention programs and has shown a dedication to the Injury Free Coalition for Kids mission to create safer environments for children and families.

Ben has been a national leader and advocate for child injury prevention, influencing policy and product safety improvements through testimony and advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. A fierce champion for children’s health, he approaches injury prevention through a health equity lens, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to grow up safe and healthy. His work has brought sustained national attention to the risks facing children and has driven meaningful changes in laws, regulations, and juvenile product safety standards. Throughout his career, Dr. Hoffman has dedicated himself to advancing policy change and systems-level improvements that protect children and strengthen communities across Oregon and the nation.

The Injury Free Coalition for Kids proudly honors Dr. Ben Hoffman as the 2026 Principal Investigator of the Year.

2026 Program Coordinator of the Year

Amy Watkins, MPH, CPST

Manager, Injury Prevention Center
Watch for Me CT | Safe Kids Connecticut
Connecticut Children’s

Nominated by Dr. Kevin Borrup, Executive Director, Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center

Last year, due to the high number of questions surfacing during the CPS meetings about special needs car seats, the Injury Free Car Seat Committee decided to create a subcommittee that would focus on special needs car seats and medical transportation for children. They asked Amy to lead that meeting. She organizes and facilitates the meeting bi-monthly to correspond with the CPS meeting, and provides an update to the entire CPS committee on what is discussed in the subcommittee. The group has 34 members from across the country. Amy has done an excellent job in this work!

Five years ago, Connecticut Children’s received $30 million as part of a Department of Education Promise Zone grant. Injury Free Hartford was an included partner in this effort, and this funding has allowed us to expand Injury Free Hartford to provide responsive after-school support to youth at the local branch of the Hartford Public Library. This effort is a replication of the Harlem Children’s Zone. Amy oversees our efforts within this larger project. Amy has also spearheaded efforts locally for National Injury Prevention Day.

Amy is known statewide for her work on road safety, overseeing about $1 million in road safety funding a year. Amy leads the Watch for Me CT campaign, funded by CT DOT, that focuses on pedestrian and bike safety. Amy is frequently interviewed to promote childhood safety, from e-bikes to window falls. Amy also oversees our 3-person child passenger safety team and developed and runs a loaner program for parents requiring specialty medical seats to safely transport their children.

The Injury Free Coalition for Kids proudly honors Amy Watkins as the 2026 Program Coordinator of the Year.