Medical City Healthcare Injury Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control, injuries sustained in a traumatic accident are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44 and the fourth overall leading cause of death in the United States. Studies and research have shown that almost 40 percent of those deaths are preventable.
Medical City Healthcare is dedicated to creating safer communities by providing awareness and advocacy through injury prevention programs, community education and outreach.
Our trauma centers, with the support of our state and community partners, are dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries. Our injury prevention specialists do this by identifying risks, implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, and serving as a resource to the communities we serve. For information on injury prevention programs in your area, please contact your local hospital.
Learn more about trauma centers >
Fall Prevention
One in four Americans over the age of 65 will experience a fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries. Medical City Healthcare’s fall prevention programs are designed to promote safety, increase physical mobility and strength, and encourage independence. Contrary to popular belief, falling is not a normal part of aging. If you or a loved one has been experiencing repeated falls, we encourage you to speak to your healthcare professional.
Am I a fall risk?
Stay Active and Independent for Life (S.A.I.L.)
S.A.I.L. is an evidence-based fitness class that improves strength, balance, and mobility for adults over the age of 65. With the goal of reducing falls and supporting independence, S.A.I.L. classes are one hour in length and meet 2 to 3 times per week. The class can be tailored to fit individual needs and is perfect for any fitness level. You can even participate sitting down.
A Matter of Balance
A Matter of Balance is a nationally recognized course that reduces the fear of falling and increases activity in adults over the age of 65. The program consists of two-hour classes that meet weekly for eight weeks. This structured group intervention program incorporates exercise and education to prevent falls. In a setting among peers, A Matter of Balance includes: group discussions, problem solving, assertiveness training, tips to reduce falls in the home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Tai Chi for Seniors
Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that has ancient Chinese roots dating back to the 12th century. Recommended for fall prevention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tai Chi uses low impact, slow rhythmic gentle motions, meditation, and controlled breathing to strengthen muscles. 45-minute weekly beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes are held weekly at the Center for Living Well located on the Medical City Plano campus.
Additional fall prevention resources
Traffic Safety
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44 in the United States, according to statistics from the CDC. Whether you drive, walk, or ride a motorcycle on your way to school, a job, or even a doctor’s appointment, traffic safety applies to anyone on our roadways. Traffic safety is also important when considering the safety of road construction workers and first responders. Medical City Healthcare participates in several different motor vehicle safety programs in conjunction with our community partners to reduce motor vehicle accidents related to distracted driving, teen driver safety, and car safety. Listed below are proven safety tips that save lives:
- Don’t drive or walk distracted
- Never drive impaired
- Wear your seatbelt and make sure children ride in the appropriate size car seat
- Wear a helmet if operating a motorcycle or bicycle
Texas - Impact Teen Drivers
Texas – Impact Teen Drivers is a free safety education course that provides evidence-based materials to engage, educate, and empower teen drivers and their passengers to make responsible choices that will decrease reckless and distracted driving. Focusing on positive solutions and stories of teens that have lost their lives or caused the loss of life in preventable car crashes, Impact uses emotional connections to motivate behavior change. Graphic images and scare tactics are never used during this course. Impact is led by nurses, first responders, law enforcement, and injury prevention specialists located in North Texas. Join us in being part of the solution to save lives.
Texas Department of Public Safety’s Graduated Driver License
CarFit
CarFit is an educational program that provides a quick, yet comprehensive review of how well you and your vehicle work together. CarFit supports continued safe driving in the 65+ age population. During the approximate 20-minute assessment, a trained technician will assess how well your vehicle fits you and make suggestions to improve your safety; all from the comfort of your own vehicle. The program, which was developed by AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association, also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance your driving safety and increase mobility. Provided by the Brazos Valley Injury Prevention Coalition and TxDOT and supported by Medical City Healthcare trauma departments.
Teens in the Driver Seat
Developed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute in 2002, Teens in the Driver Seat has been recognized as a national best-practice model four times by the US Department of Transportation, Governors Highway Safety Association, and the National Safety Council. Visit Teens in the Driver Seat to learn more.
The new You in the Driver Seat app rewards participants ages 16 to 25 for “Safe Trips” with gift cards to teens' favorite restaurants and shopping platforms.
Car Seat Safety
All children younger than 8 years old (unless taller than 4 ft 9 in) are required, by Texas law, to be in the appropriate car or booster seat. Selecting the appropriate car seat based on your child’s age and size is equally as important as making sure the car seat is properly installed. Car seats should always be registered with the manufacturer so the manufacturer can notify you of any recalls. Be sure to always check for the expiration date on the seat. We recommend to avoid using car seats that you are unable to confirm the history on.
Stop the Bleed
Bleeding is the most common cause of preventable death following an injury. Therefore, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma led a collaborative effort to bring knowledge of bleeding control to the public in 2015. Stop the Bleed classes are approximately 90 minutes in length and are free to the public. In this class, you will learn how to: identify life threatening bleeding, alert and communicate key information to emergency services, apply pressure and pack wounds, and apply tourniquets. Join Medical City Healthcare’s trauma departments in our goal to teach as many people as possible how to Stop the Bleed.
Additional resources
Contact Us
Level I Trauma and Verified Burn Center
Jinnifir Gauerke BSN, RN, TCRN, Injury Prevention Coordinator
Jinnifir Gauerke has been a registered nurse for 21 years with an extensive background that includes, critical care, emergency nursing, and critical care transport. Jinnifir is currently a Trauma Nurse Core Course instructor, a Stop the Bleed instructor, Impact the Teen Driver facilitator, and a CarFit technician. With her many years spent caring for patients in both the emergency department and intensive care unit, and seeing so many preventable injuries, Jin redirected her focus to preventing injury through educating the community and improving safety across the age continuum. Please contact Jin so she can help make your community safer.
Level II Trauma
Crystal Perry, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN
Trauma Program Director
Trauma Department
Phone: (940) 384-3054
Level II Trauma
Jessica Turner, BSN, RN, Injury Prevention Coordinator
Jessica Turner has been a registered nurse for 15 years and with background in critical care. Although newer to the world of injury prevention, her love of learning and passion for education will benefit her community greatly as she embraces this new role for Medical City Arlington. Please reach out to her and let her know how she can help.
Level II Trauma
Kathy Galt, MSN, RN, CEN, Injury Prevention Coordinator
Kathy Galt has been a registered nurse for 14 years with a background in emergency nursing and nursing education. She is a Course Director for the Trauma Nursing Core Course and Emergency Nursing Pediatrics Course, as well as a Stop the Bleed Instructor, CarFit technician, and certified coach for A Matter of Balance. She seeks to impact those in her community through education on injury prevention and has a special passion for teaching Stop the Bleed. She would love to hear from you on how she can best help you reduce injuries in our community.
Phone: (972) 540-4829
Email Kathy Galt
Level III Trauma
Ashley Smith, Trauma Program Manager
Phone: (817) 639-1000
Email Ashley Smith
Level III Trauma
Lise Van Pelt, Trauma Program Manager
Level III Trauma
William Harn, Trauma Program Manager
Phone: (817) 255-1000
Email William Harn
Level III Trauma
Josh Constantino, Trauma Program Manager
Level III Trauma
Amanda Mills, MSN, MBA, RN, Trauma Program Manager
Amanda Mills has been a registered nurse for over 10 years with a background in emergency nursing. She was promoted to Trauma Program Manager after gaining experience, as a Performance Improvement Coordinator, at Medical City Dallas. She is an instructor for Stop the Bleed and has instructors, within her department, that teach the Trauma Nursing Core Course and the Emergency Nursing Pediatrics Course. Amanda has a passion for preventing falls, decreasing the risk of injuries related to motor vehicle accidents, reducing injuries in our pediatric population, and helping to train as many people possible on Stop the Bleed within her community. Please contact her with any questions on how she can help prevent injuries in your community.
Phone: (469) 370-2023
Email Amanda Mills
Level III Trauma
Mary Harrell, BSN, RN, TCRN, CPST, Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator
Mary has been a registered nurse for over 4 years and has a background in emergency nursing. She is a Stop the Bleed instructor, a Car Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) with advanced training in special needs car beds, car seats, harnesses, and vests, a CarFit Event Coordinator, and is focused on launching Medical City Children’s Hospital as a car seat inspection station by partnering with Safe Kids Greater Dallas (SKGD). She is passionate about educating the community on all of the things that cause trauma. She feels that injury prevention starts by educating people on what all constitutes trauma, as it’s not just gunshot wounds, stabbings, and car accidents. Only after you recognize something as a trauma can you begin to understand how to prevent it. She would love nothing more than to work herself out of a job by preventing injuries within her community. Please reach out to her and let her know how she can help!
Phone: (972) 566-8518
Email Mary Harrell
Level IV Trauma
Cyndi Aguirre, ADN, RN, Trauma Program Coordinator
Cyndi Aguirre has been a registered nurse for 31 years with a background in emergency nursing. As the Trauma Program Coordinator for Medical City Weatherford, she focuses on serving her community, with a special focus on seniors and young adolescents. She loves to be out in the community, and finding those that she can help through education on fall prevention, bicycle safety, and working with both Girl Scouts of America and Boy Scouts of America. She is a Stop the Bleed trainer and would love to set up a training for you! Please reach out to her and let her know how she can help prevent injuries in your community.
Partners
