Altru Health System was named Outstanding U.S. Lead Agency today at the Safe Kids Worldwide International Childhood Injury Prevention Convention (PrevCon) for their outstanding work in preventing childhood injuries in their community. Altru Health System joined more than 500 safety professionals from the U.S. and countries around the world at the three-day convention to collaborate on efforts to enhance the safety of children on the road, at home and at play.
Altru Health System serves as the lead agency for Safe Kids Grand Forks, a childhood injury coalition that has been in existence since 1992 and covers northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Mentioned at the ceremony in which the award was presented was the help and support that Altru Health System gave to help establish two new coalitions in the state of North Dakota. Previously, there were coalitions in Grand Forks and Fargo-Moorhead, led by Sanford Health. These long-term and existing coalitions worked hard to sell the concept of an injury prevention coalition and help establish them in both Bismarck-Mandan and Minot. This past year, coalitions were formed in those communities and have helped to provide injury prevention expertise and resources to the mid and western part of our state.
“Altru Health System is a dynamic force, a recognized leader within Safe Kids, and an inspiration to our entire network,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide. “Too many kids do not have a chance to reach their full potential because of an injury that is preventable. Altru Health System and Safe Kids Grand Forks’ passion and commitment is making a difference in their community and beyond as we work together to reach more families, prevent more injuries and save more lives.”
“Altru is honored to be the lead agency for Safe Kids Grand Forks and share this achievement with Safe Kids while reflecting on the progress that has been made to prevent injury and death in children,” said Brad Wehe, CEO of Altru Health System. “In partnership with Safe Kids, Altru is committed to enhancing the safety of the children in our community and region.”
Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable.
