2001

* IU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) approves the Partnership’s data surveillance proposal. Data may now be collected from Marion County hospital emergency departments, law enforcement agencies and the coroner’s office.

* Xun Shen is hired as Epidemiologist to oversee the data surveillance system, and to analyze and report the data for the Partnership.

* Three co-investigators are added to the research team for the Partnership: Gerardo Gomez, MD, Chief of Trauma at Wishard Hospital, George Rodman, MD, Director of Trauma at Methodist Hospital, and Tres Scherer, MD, Director of Trauma at Riley Hospital for Children.

* Marc Overhage, MD, PhD who oversees the patient data systems for Regenstrief Institute agrees to serve as an advisor for the Partnership’s data surveillance system

* The Partnership hires John Aumage as a computer system consultant to design the data surveillance system.

* The Partnership receives guidance and input from Harvard School of Public Health and Medical College of Wisconsin and designs the data surveillance system based on their recommendations and experience in this area.

* The Partnership’s first annual report on firearm fatalities is distributed and provides an epidemiological perspective on the firearm deaths in Indiana for the years 1996-1999.

* The Partnership, with input from the Board and in conjunction with Marion County Health Department and IPD develop and print educational brochures to distribute to the public.

* The Partnership hosts its second annual meeting sponsored by Clarian Health, entitled, “Alternatives to Violence: New Directions for the Future.” Keynote speakers include James Mercy, PhD from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Barbara Shaw from the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority.

* The Partnership along with other child advocacy groups encourage passage of HB 1299 that provides safety literature to all individuals who apply for a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The Partnership provides input for the safety literature, which is finalized and distributed by the Indiana State Police.

* The Partnership along with other child advocacy groups provides information to legislators related to a Child Access Prevention bill. The bill would encourage adults to safely store their guns to ensure that children could not gain access to the guns. The bill is heard by both the Indiana House and Senate, but is not approved.

* The Partnership participates in the Safe Summer Initiative which is spearheaded by IPD and RTV 6. The education and media campaign aims to reduce gun injuries and deaths during the summer months and culminates with a gun-buy-back in which guns received are melted down.

* The Partnership takes the lead in organizing a task force and a press conference to address suicide prevention in the state. This is in response to US Surgeon General Satcher’s call to action for states to address suicide prevention.