Four Clinton School students are working with the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital to assess the injury prevention needs of the prospective hospitals in the state’s new trauma system.
Clinton School students Ryan Adams of Toronto, Canada, Shenan Boit of Fayetteville, Fernando Cutz of Miami and Jasmine Medley of Little Rock will conduct research that will help establish a network of injury prevention programs among the hospitals.
Until recently, Arkansas was one of only a few states in the country without a trauma system. Each year, hundreds of lives were lost because of traumatic injury when patients did not receive immediate medical care. The majority of traumatic injuries are preventable through safety education and reinforcing best practices.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital is leading the research with the Clinton School students and hiring several new staff members to assist in the organization of the injury prevention activities within the trauma system.
“Too many lives are lost to preventable injury every day,” said Heather Williamson, associate director of the Injury Prevention Center. “Arkansas will save lives with its trauma system, and resources will go to those who need them most. A key component of the system is an emphasis on prevention of injuries, not just on provision of efficient care after injuries occur.”
With varying educational backgrounds, all of the Clinton School students have previous experience in non-profit work. The students look forward to bringing a positive change to the state of Arkansas, they said.
“We are so excited about being a part of the trauma system’s formation and the great changes to come in the future,” Adams said.
The project is one of eight group projects students are completing this year in the Clinton School’s Practicum program, one of three for-credit public service projects in the Master of Public Service degree program.
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