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Sen. Frockt champions firearm injury prevention research at Harborview

On Friday, Sen. David Frockt and leaders at Harborview Medical Center announced the Harborview Injury and Prevention Research Center (HIPRC) will receive $1 million in state funding over the next two years to research firearm injuries and deaths and develop strategies to reducing gun violence.

Harborview is the regional Trauma 1 hospital for critically injured patients in Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, so they have extensive experience in treating patients with firearm-related injuries. In recent years, they have seen an uptick in patients with these types injuries, so funding for gun violence research to determine the scope of the problem and potential solutions is critical.

Gun violence research funding is restricted at the federal level since Congress passed the Dickey Amendment in 1996, which makes state funding the only viable option to advancing this research. HIPRC will use the state funding provided to look at the issue holistically, including the impacts and effectiveness of current and prospective public policy.

Gun violence is an issue that touches every Washington resident. Dr. Fred Rivara, a pediatrician and researcher at HIPRC, said that 99% of us will know someone in our lifetimes injured or killed by firearms.

Thank you to Sen. Frockt and the Washington State Legislature for providing funding for this important and impactful research.

Legislators visit UW Tacoma, which raises $108,000 for student emergency aid

Legislators joined more than 200 UW Tacoma supporters and community leaders at UW Tacoma’s annual Summer Soiree benefiting an emergency aid fund for students experiencing financial crisis. Each year, it is estimated that nearly three million students face a financial crisis of one form or another and leave school over an expense of less than $1,000. This unexpected financial expense could be related to medical bills, housing or utility costs, or the breakdown of a car. Over the past year, UW Tacoma’s emergency response team has addressed more than 100 student emergencies! Attendees at this year’s Summer Soiree helped raise $108,000 for student emergency aid, which will be put to great use ensuring UW Tacoma students have the resources they need to stay in school.

During this event, legislators also had the opportunity to visit UW Tacoma’s temporary Academic Innovation Lab, which enables students to dream up and test new ideas in the fields of engineering and technology. UW Tacoma constantly strives to find creative ways to support their unique student population, as well as the local community and employers. The Academic Innovation Lab is an exceptional space for students to explore and learn and UW Tacoma looks forward to working with the state legislature to expand opportunities for students in the South Puget Sound.

Thank you to Sens. Reuven Carlyle, David Frockt, Emily Randall, and Claire Wilson, Reps. Chris Gildon, Drew Hansen, and Laurie Jinkins for attending!

 

Sen. Braun visits local students at UW’s STEM Camp in Chehalis

This week, the UW partnered with the Chehalis and Hoquiam School Districts and the Quinault Indian Nation to host a STEM camp for incoming 9–12th graders focused on engineering and medical science. At this one-of-a-kind camp, faculty and students from the UW College of Engineering and UW Medicine provided local students with opportunities to interact with cutting-edge technology and science.

Teams of students built core engineering skills as they used computer design, 3D printing and prototyping processes to design a gravity car for ultimate performance. Students also utilized a team science approach in a simulated lab environment to learn about complex medical procedures and trauma care.

Sen. John Braun, who represents the local 20th legislative district, stopped by to speak with the students and watch them in action as they engaged in hands-on learning in the fields of engineering and medicine. Thank you, Sen. Braun!

Legislators engage with UW faculty in their local communities

Recently, twenty-five new UW faculty members participated in the UW’s annual five-day Faculty Field Tour to explore Washington’s diverse communities and learn about UW’s impact across the state. The tour visited communities throughout Washington, including Olympia, Vancouver, Toppenish, Richland, Ritzville and Spokane. At these stops, local legislators also had the opportunity to participate and engage with the faculty.

In Vancouver, Sen. Cleveland and Reps. Harris, Hoff and Wylie joined for dinner at the Heathman Lodge and participated in a lecture with Assistant Professor Alison Duvall about the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

In Toppenish, Rep. Corry met us at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, which is the largest community health center in the Pacific Northwest.

In Richland, Rep. Boehnke joined for the tour of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and had the opportunity to hear the sound of two black holes colliding.

Rep. Boehnke

In Ritzville, Sen. Schoesler generously invited the faculty members to visit and explore his family wheat farm and talked about his extensive experience as a Washington State wheat farmer and legislator.

Sen. Schoesler

In Spokane, Reps. Graham, McCaslin and Riccelli joined for breakfast at The Davenport and participated in conversation about economic development in Spokane and the UW’s impact.

Sen. Holy and Rep. Chandler also took the opportunity to meet with staff in-district to discuss some of the issues important to UW, UW Medicine and their local community and constituents.

Thank you to the legislators who participated! For more information about the UW Faculty Field Tour, click here.