Michael N. Levas, MD, MS

President-Elect, Injury Free Coalition for Kids
Professor of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine
Medical College of Wisconsin
mnlevas@mcw.edu

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 30th Injury Free Coalition for Kids® Annual Conference, Forging New Frontiers: Injury Prevention in Evolving Environments. This year's theme reflects our commitment to adapting and innovating in response to the ever-changing landscapes where children live, learn, and grow. Whether through technology, policy, or community engagement, we continue to forge new paths to protect children from preventable harm.

The Injury Free Coalition for Kids remains a national leader in pediatric injury prevention. With over 42 hospital-based sites across the country, our coalition transforms data into action—developing evidence-based interventions that respond to local needs and national trends. Our work spans critical areas such as firearm safety, child passenger protection, fall prevention, and safe sleep initiatives. Through the publication of our annual meeting supplement in Injury Epidemiology, we share these innovations with the broader public health community.

This year's keynote session features Brent Kaziny, MD, whose leadership in pediatric emergency medicine and disaster preparedness exemplifies our theme. Dr. Kaziny's work at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine has advanced pediatric readiness in emergency departments and shaped national strategies for disaster response involving children. His insights will help us navigate evolving environments with resilience and foresight.

We are honored to present the Pioneer Award to Judy Schaechter, MD, MBA, in recognition of her extraordinary career in injury prevention. Dr. Schaechter currently serves as Director of the CDC's Division of Violence Prevention at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Her work focuses on translating science into action and supporting communities to stop violence before it happens. She brings decades of experience in pediatrics, public health, and policy—including leadership roles at the American Board of Pediatrics and the University of Miami. Her keynote will reflect on the evolving challenges and opportunities in injury prevention, aligning perfectly with our conference theme.

Injury Free's leadership extends beyond this conference. Each year, we spearhead National Injury Prevention Day on November 18, joining forces with partners nationwide to raise awareness and empower communities. Through coordinated events, media campaigns, and advocacy, we shine a light on the leading causes of injury and promote proven strategies to prevent them.

We are excited to offer new workshops and panels this year, including sessions on social media presence, equity in injury prevention, and community-based innovations. The abstracts submitted by our members showcase the breadth and depth of work being done across the country to make children safer.

A heartfelt thank you to the Program Committee, Scientific Publications Committee, presenters, panelists, keynote speakers, and moderators. Special thanks to Walter Rice and DiLenny Roca-Dominguez for their leadership and dedication.

We also honor the memory of Lenita Johnson, whose service to our organization for over two decades left an indelible mark. This year, we present the inaugural Lenita Johnson Award in her name.

Finally, we thank our founder and fearless leader, Dr. Barbara Barlow, whose vision and passion continue to inspire us all.

Thank you for attending YOUR conference. Please take advantage of the many opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate our shared mission. Together, we are forging new frontiers in injury prevention—creating safer, healthier environments for every child.

Sincerely,

 

Michael N Levas, MD, MS
President-Elect
Injury Free Coalition for Kids