PAYING IT FORWARD
Empowering Our Youth : The Future Healers Program
by BAYLEE POLZIN , BA , PARRIS KAPPLE , BA , AND KAREN TACHI UDOH , MD rise in our community , we medical students felt a need to respond .
As medical students at the University of Louisville School of Medicine , we have seen the incredible impact of gun violence on our community . We have seen and felt the suffering of gunshot victims and their grieving families . We have seen the trauma to their communities and also to the medical staff who care for way too many victims . Gun violence has become a public health issue . Firearms accounted for 64 % of children and teen homicides and 79 % of all homicides in 2020 . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Kentucky is ranked 12th in the U . S . for firearm mortality with Jefferson County ’ s average firearm homicide rate being 2.6 times higher than the national average . As gun violence continued to
In 2021 , students from the UofL School of Medicine , led by Karen Udoh , teamed up with The Trauma Institute and the Surgery Department at UofL Health to create Future Healers . This program was specifically designed to build stronger bridges between Louisville ’ s health care community and our local youth most impacted by gun violence . Our goals are centered around creating a safe space for students to navigate their emotional trauma while introducing them to the field of medicine . We strive to foster compassion , mentorship and advocacy as we empower the young minds of our city to work towards a better future for themselves and the city of Louisville .
Since 2021 , our program has served over 150 kids through monthly educational curriculum , mentorship opportunities , local events and more . Our monthly curriculum sessions welcome students from ages 4-13 and have expanded to include the Chestnut Street YMCA students . As we continue to grow , we have begun offering mentorship opportunities for students who fall outside this age range . Our partnership with UofL ’ s Undergraduate Campus has allowed us to provide students with monthly mentorship events with Louisville ’ s Botanical Gardens , We Got Next Mentoring and Supplies Overseas .
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