In addition to his career in health care, Dr. Wright spent time in
the Sheriff ’s Reserve (left) and the Navy (below).
(continued from page 37)
rent status quo through education and community engagement.
Kosair established the Partnership to Eliminate Child Abuse in
early 2012, led by physician experts from throughout children’s
hospitals and medical schools in Kentucky and Indiana. They also
established the Kosair Charities Division of Pediatric Forensic
Medicine with the University of Louisville.
“Our main focus has been the education of the masses about
child abuse, what the risk factors and early signs are,” said Dr.
Wright, who noted the most recent data from the Department of
Health and Human Services indicated Kentucky has fallen to 22nd
in the nation for child abuse statistics.
“I don’t know if some of our efforts are responsible for that, but
I’d hope so. We’ll continue to extend our efforts,” he said. “I may
never know if we saved a life. Hopefully we have.”
Besides his work leading KCH, as a U of L School of Medicine
Professor of pediatrics, he serves as an academic advisory dean for
students each year. He also served as a sworn peace officer on the
reserve unit for the Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Office from 1994 to
2005 and at one time became the commander of a 100 man reserve
unit while simultaneously practicing medicine.
During his time with the sheriff ’s office, Dr. Wright became a
founding member of the Supporting Heroes organization. Supporting Heroes provides social, financial and spiritual help for
Kentucky and Indiana families who have experienced a line of
duty death in EMS services.
Supporting Heroes began eleven years ago on September 11,
2004, and has since provided immediate financial support, funeral
planning and memorial services. Since the program’s inception,
121 police, fire and EMT workers in Kentucky and Indiana have
lost their lives.
In addition to his time with the sheriff ’s office, Dr. Wright also
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
spent 13 years with the U.S. Navy. He joined