What we do

We are a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, researchers and educators working together to research, identify, and educate the community on the leading causes of preventable injuries.

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

The four research pillars

The four pillars below make up the primary focus of MIPRI outreach and research efforts. Through aligning its efforts under these pillars, MIPRI will strive to achieve zero preventable deaths.

UCHealth Memorial Injury Prevention and Research Institute (MIPRI) diagram

  • Suicide and Violence Prevention. Suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, and gun violence.
  • Pediatric and Adolescent Injury Prevention. Non-accidental trauma from abuse and neglect, automobile, and alcohol-related injuries.
  • Geriatric Fall Prevention. Injuries from falls of adults aged 65 and older.
  • TBI & Sports/Recreation Injury Prevention. Traumatic brain injuries and other injuries related to sports and recreation.

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.)

Contact us

To contact MIPRI, call or email Molly McGuigan at 719.365.9686 or molly.mcguigan@uchealth.org

To schedule an outreach program, contact Lori Morgan at Lori.Morgan2@uchealth.org