Improving lives through transparent collaboration, focused research, and meaningful outreach

What we do

We collaborate with the community by sharing information. As a part of UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, the only Level 1 trauma center in Southern Colorado, we touch the lives of thousands of injured patients. By teaming up with community organizations to share injury trends and “hot spots,” we ensure outreach and resources are provided to the people who need them most.

We conduct research on how to prevent the injuries that most affect our community. We utilize our resources as an academic medical center to evaluate and improve injury prevention methods through peer-reviewed research. We strive to ensure that the community has access to well researched, evidence-based outreach methods so every dollar spent on prevention makes a difference.

We provide evidence-based injury prevention outreach. Whether it is classes to prevent geriatric falls, interactive classes with teens to prevent drunk driving, or teaching educators how to stop traumatic bleeding, our outreach touches all members of our community.

Why we do it

  • Trauma is the No. 1 killer of Americans between the ages of 1 and 44.
  • In Colorado, deaths from trauma are 15% higher than the national average.
  • Suicide in Colorado is 52% higher than the national average.
  • Colorado is ranked 5th in the United States for deaths due to falls.
           Source: CDC WISQARS database

UCHealth Memorial Injury Prevention and Research Institute Pillars

The four pillars below make up the primary focus of MIPRI outreach and research efforts.

Injury prevention and research pillars

  • Suicide/Violence Prevention. UCHealth MIPRI is teaming up with El Paso county to create a system to identify youth suicide attempt hot spots so educators and youth organizations can provide help before a suicide occurs.
  • Pediatric and Adolescent Injury Prevention. UCHealth MIPRI is conducting research on the effectiveness of a screening tool to identify incidents of pediatric and adolescent abuse.
  • Geriatric Fall Prevention. UCHealth MIPRI provides free Stepping On classes to teach adults over 65 how to prevent falls, gain coordination, and develop strength so they can continue to live independent lives.
  • TBI/Sports & Recreation Injury Prevention. UCHealth MIPRI works to educate parents on how to identify the signs of concussion in their children so they can seek care.

UCHealth MIPRI research projects

Current research projects

Geriatric TBI

The primary aim of this research is to establish an aggregate database of information on baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, medication use, markers of frailty, injury characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes following traumatic brain injuries in geriatric patients.

Tourniquet use in extremity injury

This research evaluates if pre-hospital tourniquet use is being done appropriately and if there are additional education needs.

Syncope-related falls

The goal of this retrospective chart review is to describe the demographics, utility of diagnostic tests, outcomes, discharge disposition, and follow-up of patients admitted after falls with possible syncope.

Rock climbing injuries analysis

This study aims to assess the difference in demographics, injury severity, and pattern between climbers and non-climbers while analyzing trends in climbing injuries.

Time to surgery study

This multicenter, prospective analysis will collect study the effect of time to surgery on mortality of adult hypotensive trauma patients who present with noncompressible torso hemorrhage (which includes chest, abdomen or pelvic injuries)

Women’s health study

This study compiles adult female abuse survivor data on pain, fatigue, PTSD symptoms, and other health measures over time to identify trends and opportunities for intervention.

Strangulation chart review

This study reviews demographics and outcomes of patients that present to the hospital with injuries from strangulation.

Outreach programs

Current outreach programs

Stepping On. Evidence-based fall prevention workshop for older adults who have fallen or are afraid of falling.

P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth). The P.A.R.T.Y. program is an international evidence-based program that provides education for young drivers and at-risk youth.

Trauma Talks Tough. Memorial Trauma Services provides presentations on consequences of unsafe driving in conjunction with Drive Smart Colorado.

Stop the Bleed! National education program designed to teach civilians to intervene and prevent death while waiting for first responders.

5th Grade Trauma Talks. Led by Dr. Tiffany Willard, trauma surgeons and medical students speak to local 5th grade classes on trauma prevention.

Community partners

Stop the Bleed!

El Paso County Public Health Teen Suicide Prevention

Safe Kids Colorado

Drive Smart Colorado

Preventing Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.)

Student placement opportunities

Syncope-related falls research

Hypotheses and specific aims: The goal of this retrospective chart review is to describe the demographics, utility of diagnostic tests, outcomes, discharge disposition, and follow-up of patients receiving a routine workup after any fall with or without syncope admitted to a trauma center.

Background and significance: Syncope is a prevalent problem in the United States, accounting for 1 to 3% of all ED visits. Most trauma centers now deal with an aging population and falls are increasingly common as a traumatic mechanism leading to injury. At Memorial Hospital Central, falls account for 40% of all the trauma volume. There is controversy about the utility of a “syncope work-up” in this patient population.

Work breakdown

80 hours a semester:

  • 12 hours of observation (optional)
  • 8 hours outreach experience (location and times vary)
  • 30 hours data abstraction (conducted at Memorial Hospital Central, Monday through Friday anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
  • 30 hours project development work (can be completed remotely)

Required qualifications

Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program.

Application procedures

Send your resume and cover letter to mipri@uchealth.org

Suicide risk factor research

Hypotheses and specific aims: The goal of this retrospective chart review is to describe the risk factors, demographics and lethal means of suicide fatalities in El Paso county over a five-year period.

Background and significance:  In 2017, Colorado averaged 20.3 suicide fatalities per 100,000 people, compared to a nationwide rate of 14.0 suicide fatalities per 100,000 people. This makes Colorado the 10th worst state in the country for suicide rate. El Paso county’s suicide fatality rate is even higher, at 22.8 suicide fatalities per 100,000 people. Behavioral health and public health professionals require a greater understanding of risk factors for suicide to appropriately focus efforts and address root causes.

Work breakdown

80 hours a semester:

  • 12 hours of observation (optional)
  • 8 hours outreach experience (location and times vary)
  • 30 hours data abstraction (conducted at Memorial Hospital Central, Monday through Friday anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
  • 30 hours project development work (can be completed remotely)

Required qualifications

Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or graduate program.

Application procedures

Send your resume and cover letter to mipri@uchealth.org.

Injury prevention outreach

Program summary

UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central is the only Level I trauma center in southern Colorado.  As a Level I trauma center, Memorial Central is required to conduct injury prevention outreach in the local community. Current injury prevention outreach programs include:

  • Preventing Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y): An international evidence-based program that provides education for young drivers and at-risk youth
  • Stepping On: An evidence-based fall prevention workshop for older adults who have fallen or are afraid of falling.
  • Trauma Talks Tough: Memorial Trauma Services provides presentations on consequences of unsafe driving in conjunction with Drive Smart Colorado.
  • 5th Grade Trauma Presentations: Led by Dr. Tiffany Willard, trauma surgeons and medical students speak to local 5th grade classes on trauma prevention.
  • Bike helmet give-aways in conjunction with Drive Smart Colorado.
  • Stop the Bleed: A national education program designed to teach civilians to intervene and prevent death while waiting for first responders.

Work breakdown

80 hours a semester:

  • 12 hours of hospital observation (optional)
  • 50 hours outreach experience (location and times vary)
  • 18 hours outreach analysis and research (can be done remotely)

Required qualifications

Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or graduate program.

Application procedures

Send your resume and cover letter to mipri@uchealth.org.

Contact us

To contact UCHealth MIPRI, email mipri@uchealth.org