Name: Preventing Firearm Injury Through Purpose and Policy 2025
Start: 1749216600
End: 1749247200
Location: James A. Baker III Hall

As firearm injuries continue to claim lives, especially among our children and teenagers, it's crucial to convene experts, legislators, and advocacy groups to explore effective strategies for reducing these tragic incidents. We hosted the fourth annual Firearm Injury Prevention conference, an essential gathering that addressed the pressing public health crisis of firearm injuries in the United States.

This nonpartisan event, held in conjunction with National Gun Violence Awareness Day, fostered meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Through expert panels, research presentations, and policy discussions, attendees gained insights into the latest data-driven approaches to firearm injury prevention. The conference highlighted evidence-based policies, community-led interventions, and advancements in public health strategies designed to reduce firearm-related harm. Additionally, we encouraged attendees to wear orange in commemoration of this important day.

Sponsored by the Firearm Injury Prevention and Safety Program at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, our goal is to generate actionable recommendations and initiatives to curb this epidemic. Thank you for joining us as we work towards a safer, healthier future for all.

This event was free and open to the public.

Seeking to make an impact as a gun violence prevention advocate? Learn how policy and prevention efforts can make a difference at the two-day James A. Baker III Policy Leadership Program Seminar on Combating Gun Violence Through Policy and Prevention. This two-day seminar will feature expert insights on effective strategies to reduce gun violence.

Early registration closes May 10th, 2025. For more information, visit our page here.

Registration

Registration has closed.

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8:30 am	Breakfast and Registration
9:00 am	Welcome Remarks Sandra McKay, M.D., FAAP Associate Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Huffington Fellow in Child Health Policy, Baker Institute Introduction of Keynote Eric Fleegler, M.D., MPH, Physician; Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Senior Research Investigator, MGH Gun Violence Prevention Center; Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School
9:15 am	Keynote Presentation Jennifer Dineen, Ph.D. Associate Professor in Residence on fellowship, Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP) at the University of Connecticut; Associate Director Center for Advancing Research, Methods, and Scholarship (ARMS) in Gun Violence Prevention, University of Connecticut
9:55 am	Break
10:10 am	Panel I — Suicide Prevention Moderated by: Eric Fleegler, M.D., MPH, Physician; Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Archie Bleyer, M.D. Clinical Research Professor, Oregon Health and Science University Alison B. Shellman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Lawrence Thompson, Jr., Ph.D. Director of Integrated Health Services, Harris County Resources for Children and Adults Angie Cummings, DrPH Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
11:00 am	Break
11:15 am	Panel II — Violence Prevention Moderated by: Sandra McKay, M.D., FAAP, Baker Institute Alexander Testa, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health Howard Henderson, Ph.D. Director, Center for Justice Research and Professor, Texas Southern University Shiree Berry, M.D., FACS Regional Trauma Director, HCA Houston Healthcare Lupe Washington, M.S. Director, Violence Prevention, Harris County Public Health
12:05 pm	Lunch
12:45 pm	Panel III — Intimate Partner Violence Moderated by: Jeff R. Temple, Ph.D., Professor, Associate Dean for Clinical Research , School of Behavioral Health Sciences at UTHealth Houston; Betty and Rose Pfefferbaum Chair in Child Mass Trauma and Resilience Caitlyn Mytelka, Ph.D., LMSW Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Violence Prevention, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Swati Narayan Director of AAPI Community Safety and Belonging, Daya Houston Melissa Peskin, Ph.D. Professor and Vice Chair, Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, UTHealth School of Public Health Leila Wood, Ph.D., MSSW Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
1:40 pm	Break
1:55 pm	Panel IV — Youth Panel Moderated by: Zoabe Hafeez, M.D., MPH, Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute; Associate Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Asa Singleton Youth Mentor, The Forgotten Third Rithika Proddutoor, M.D. Incoming Pediatrics Resident, University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital Milan George Student Researcher, Rice University Saami Baig Student Activist, Rice University
2:40 pm	Break
2:50 pm	Panel V — Legislative Panel Moderated by: Shannon Guillot-Wright, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UTHealth School of Public Health and Director of Health Policy at the Violence and Injury Prevention Research Center The Honorable Molly Cook Texas State Senate District 15 The Honorable Vikki Goodwin Texas State Representative, 47th District
4:00 pm	Closing Remarks Sandra McKay, M.D., FAAP Baker Institute