Did you miss our Spring StandSAFE 2026 event last night with Drs. Ted Corbin and James Bigham? Watch the whole event above or at the link below.
StandSAFE this Evening! Register for April 16 Event
Join us this evening - Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 8 pm EST/5 pm PST for our first StandSAFE Event of the year. SAFE Board Member, Ariana Ali will be moderating a discussion on culturally competent care between SAFE Board Members, Dr. James Bigham and Dr. Ted Corbin. Click the link below to register.
Take the SAFE Curriculum Survey!
Are you involved in curriculum development at your institution? Fill out this short survey on the status of firearm injury prevention curriculum at your institution.
SAFE April Newsletter
Didn’t catch our April Newsletter? Click the button below to read in full.
SAFE Advisory Board Member Authors Analysis of Parental Accountability and Secure Storage.
SAFE Advisory Board Member, Paul Chapman, PhD, authors an analysis of parental accountability and secure storage for Giffords. Click below to read the full analysis.
“Recently, two school mass shootings by students, in Michigan in 2021 and in Georgia in 2024, have resulted in prison sentences for the shooters’ parents.
This new accountability has come at a time when states are increasingly passing safe storage laws that require parents who own firearms to store them securely, away from children.
Since the Columbine shooting in 1999, there have been over 400 school shootings, with students frequently using weapons from home. In the past parents were rarely held accountable for the actions of their children.”
SAFE Supports IAVA's Statement
SAFE supports Advisory Board Member, Dr. Kyleanne Hunter and IAVA, in their statement on authorization of private firearms on military installations. Click below to read the full statement.
Dr. Hunter, CEO of IAVA stated, “We know that time and distance from lethal means saves lives and this change is a disservice to suicide prevention efforts and to our men and women struggling with their mental health. This policy carries completely unnecessary risk that will undoubtedly lead to more lives lost.”
SAFE Co-Founder Featured on "Playing with Fire" Podcast
SAFE Co-Founder, Dr. Dean Winslow, stars on the podcast “Playing with Fire” and discusses his military career and personal experience with PTSD. Click above or below to listen.
SAFE Shares Firearm Injury Prevention Curriculum Competency Domains
SAFE is happy to share this Firearm Injury Prevention Curriculum Competency Domain Guide, perfect for institutions looking to incorporate firearm injury prevention and care into their institution’s curriculum. Click through by using the arrows to learn more specifically how and where this could be achieved in curricula.
Congratulations to SAFE National Advisory Board Member, Dr. Cornelia Griggs on her promotion
SAFE is proud to share that Dr. Cornelia Griggs, was named the President of a pediatric research consortium and was promoted at Massachusetts General Hospital to a director role as well. Congratulations, Dr. Griggs! Given this exciting news, Dr. Griggs will be moving from SAFE’s Board of Directors to a seat on our Advisory Board.
Reminder: Register for April 16, 2026 Event
Join us on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 8 pm EST/5 pm PST for our first StandSAFE Event of the year. SAFE Board Member, Ariana Ali will be moderating a discussion on culturally competent care between SAFE Board Members, Dr. James Bigham and Dr. Ted Corbin. Click the link below to register.
Firearm Secure Storage Resource - Pierce's Pledge
SAFE is thrilled to share this incredible resource from Pierce's Pledge. https://www.piercespledge.org/gun-storage-1
To store your firearm(s) with a dealer, you'll typically need to follow these steps:
Find a reputable firearm dealer or firearm retailer that offers storage services. Use the Pierce’s Pledge national map for available dealers in your area.
Contact the dealer to inquire about their storage options, availability, fees, and any requirements they have.
Bring your firearm and current government issued identification to the dealer during their business hours.
Complete any necessary paperwork, such as a storage agreement and any required forms.
Pay any applicable storage fees.
The dealer will provide you with a receipt or other documentation confirming that they are your firearm.
Alert the dealer when you're ready to pick up your firearm(s) and follow their procedures and any additional required paperwork. The retrieval may require a background check, waiting periods and other procedures vary state by state.
Firearm Injury Prevention Curriculum Workshop - Oct 9-10, 2026 in Portland, Oregon
Join us on October 9-10 for our next Firearm Injury Prevention Curriculum & Care (FIPC) Workshop in Portland, Oregon at Oregon Health and Science University. Register by clicking the button below.
Workshop Agenda Overview:
Discussion of FIPC Curriculum —
School teams will share the current state of their institution’s FIPC curriculum.
Collaborative Reflection —
Collaborative reflection on what the groups share, white board time to outline consensus best practices.
Review a Case Study —
How elements of FIPC can be incorporated into existing curriculum.
Roundtable with Suicide Prevention Researchers —
Discussing input on what they believe should be included in the FIPC curriculum.
Roundtable with Firearm Violence Survivor —
Opportunity to learn more about unique lived experiences and the training opportunities these individuals recommend for healthcare professionals based on their experiences of receiving care.
Creating Medical Education —
Work time for co-creation of elements of common FIPC curricular arc for 4 years of undergraduate medical education.
Medical Student Mixer at UCSF
Medical Student Mixer with SAFE at UCSF (Parnassus Campus ) - March 13 @ 7:45 PM
Are you a medical student in the Bay Area on Friday, March 13 at 7:45 PM Pacific Time? Join the SAFE Chapter at UCSF Clinical Sciences Building - 0101 at 521 Parnassus Avenue in San Francisco.
ICYMI: SAFE National Event - Firearm Injury Prevention Focus on Veterans
Did you miss our national event last night? No worries! Catch up by watching the video above.
Register for Next Week’s Event on Firearm Injury Prevention Focusing on Veterans
Join us on February 24, 2026 at 8pm EST/5 pm PST for a conversation on firearm injury prevention focusing on veterans. We are pleased to have SAFE Co-Founder, Dr. Dean Winslow and Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Click the button below to register. Dr. Andrew Lithen will moderate the event.
SAFE Board Member, Dr. Susie MacLean, Advocates to Local Newspaper on Firearm Injury Prevention
SAFE Board Member, Dr. Susie MacLean, reached out to her local newspaper to advocate about SAFE’s work and new safe storage legislation in California. We hope you are inspired to follow in her footsteps and reach out to your community newspaper and encourage them to write about the importance of secure storage. Read the article below.
A Message from the SAFE Chapter Leader at the University of Minnesota to her medical school classmates.
Dear All,
As the president of the University of Minnesota SAFE chapter, I want to acknowledge the violence occurring in our state. As an organization dedicated to lessening the morbidity and mortality associated with firearm violence, SAFE condemns the use of firearms against Minnesotans, including by the federal government’s Operation Metro Surge. The current violence in our community disproportionately impacts immigrants, people of color, and Native people, and affects all of us.
I am writing to remind you to not underestimate the harm of experiencing violence firsthand or of the secondary trauma of witnessing firearm violence in our community. It is not normal to witness firearm violence, whether you are caring for gun violence victims at the hospital or watching loved ones and community members die at the hands of federal agents on the news/social media. You may also notice your own reactions to past traumas coming up again. Your emotional responses to this moment show your humanity, and are a sign of your deep care for others.
If you need support with navigating school at this time or if you feel unsafe or targeted, you are not alone. I can help connect you to University or community resources to meet your needs, or offer a listening ear myself. My heart is with you as you continue to show up and navigate courses, clerkships, STEP exams, etc. Completing medical school is difficult, and under these circumstances it feels almost impossible. I stand with you.
Our work is more important now than ever.
With love and appreciation,
Kate Weis
UMN SAFE Chapter Leader
UCSF SAFE Chapter to host Medical Student Poster Session at Curriculum Workshop in March
The UCSF SAFE Conference invites medical students to submit posters for the Medical Student Poster Session as part of the Firearm Injury Prevention and Care (FIPC) Curriculum Symposium, taking place March 13–14, 2026.
SAFE (Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic) is hosting this symposium to advance a national effort to integrate Firearm Injury Prevention and Care curriculum at 100% of U.S. medical schools by 2027. The conference convenes medical educators, students, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to share best practices, define core competencies, and collaboratively design curricula responsive to local and institutional needs.
The student poster session provides a dedicated space for medical students to showcase scholarly work, advocacy efforts, educational initiatives, research, and community-engaged projects related to firearm injury prevention, violence intervention, trauma-informed care, health equity, and policy. Submissions may reflect work conducted at UCSF or other institutions and may include completed projects or works in progress.
Suggested poster topics include, but are not limited to:
Firearm injury prevention education or curriculum development
Clinical approaches to firearm injury prevention and counseling
Community-based violence intervention programs
Public health, policy, or epidemiologic research related to firearm injury
Health equity, structural violence, and firearm-related disparities
Student-led advocacy, education, or systems-change initiatives
By participating, students will engage with a national community of practice committed to innovation, collaboration, and dissemination of firearm injury prevention education across medical training.
We strongly encourage submissions from students with diverse disciplinary backgrounds, lived experiences, and approaches to this critical public health issue.
Proposed Submission Timeline
Call for Poster Submissions Opens: Monday, January 12, 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)
Notification of Acceptance: Friday, February 13, 2026
Final Poster PDF Due (for program planning): Friday, March 6, 2026
Medical Student Poster Session: Friday, March 13, 2026 | 7:45–8:45 PM
UCSF Parnassus Campus – Clinical Sciences Building (CSB-0101)
APPLICATION: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfD81XvV3P7ABmX2B30gjpcQsIv4_tnMqmriiPj6UaJxkvUmg/viewform?usp=dialog
UCSF SAFE Conference
Medical Student Poster Session – Presentation Guidelines
Friday, March 13, 2026 | 7:45–8:45 PM
UCSF Parnassus Campus – Clinical Sciences Building (CSB-0101)
Poster Format
Size: Standard 48"x36" landscape (horizontal) orientation
Posters should include:
Title and author(s)
Institution(s)
Background / rationale
Objectives
Methods / approach
Key findings or insights
Implications for medical education, clinical practice, or community engagement
References (optional, keep minimal)
Visuals: Charts, diagrams, or tables encouraged for clarity; avoid text-heavy slides
Presentation Expectations
Each presenter should be available at their poster for the full session (7:45–8:45 PM)
Prepare to briefly summarize your work in 2–3 minutes per attendee
Be ready to answer questions from faculty, students, and other conference participants
Emphasize relevance to firearm injury prevention, medical education, and/or equity-centered care
Logistics
Poster boards: Will be provided on-site (push pins or Velcro available)
Setup: Posters should be mounted by 7:30 PM
Take-down: Posters must be removed by 9:00 PM
PDF Submission: A digital copy of your poster must be submitted by Friday, March 6, 2026 for program planning
Tips for Effective Posters
Keep text concise – aim for bullet points over paragraphs
Use large fonts (24+ pt for body text, 36–48 pt for titles)
Use color and visuals to highlight key findings, but maintain readability
Clearly convey your main message within 30–60 seconds
Include contact info (email) for follow-up questions
Accessibility & Equity Considerations
Ensure text contrasts sufficiently with background
Avoid jargon or overly technical language; aim for clarity for mixed audiences
Highlight how your project centers equity or community impact when applicable
Printing Guidance
File type: PDF (high-resolution, flattened file preferred)
Font: Minimum 24 pt for body text; 36–48 pt for headers
Colors: Ensure high contrast between text and background
Visuals: Make charts, tables, and figures large and legible
File naming: [LastName]_SAFEPoster.pdf (for easy identification)
Poster boards: Provided on-site
Mounting materials: Push pins or Velcro will be available
Setup time: Posters must be mounted by 7:30 PM for the 7:45 PM session
Take-down: Posters must be removed by 9:00 PM
Traveling with a poster: Roll it in a poster tube to prevent creases
Backup: Save a digital copy on a USB drive or cloud storage
Contacts
For questions regarding poster content, setup, or logistics: Raven.Foster@ucsf.edu
SAFE Statement Regarding the Violence in Minneapolis
The doctors, nurses and medical students at SAFE mourn the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good in Minneapolis. Our organization’s mission is to reduce firearm injuries and deaths by educating health professionals, our patients, and communities about responsible ownership and firearm injury prevention strategies. This responsibility falls on everyone including firearm-carrying government workers, and the organizations that employ them, whether it be police, military, or federal immigration officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
We have to ask why ICE and CBP were allowed to continue their actions amid a large civilian protest. Dealing with such protests is the job of the police and, in rare circumstances, the state’s National Guard. These groups have extensive training in de-escalation of conflict and in crowd control. Their job is to protect the citizens of their city and state while helping federal agencies (including ICE and CBP) complete their missions safely.
As a matter of safety, firearms should only be carried in settings where they can be properly employed by an individual in a healthy state of mind. Neither civilians nor government agents should carry weapons when they are intoxicated, when they are experiencing a mental health crisis, or during emotionally charged moments that may make them lose control.
Firearm violence doesn’t just affect the physical victim or close family members. According to a 2024 advisory from then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, “exposure to firearm violence can contribute to elevated stress levels and mental health challenges and threaten the sense of well-being for entire communities.” Consequences of firearm violence include healthcare and community workers suffering secondary traumatic stress, adults avoiding certain places or events, children experiencing long-term mental and behavioral problems, and an increase in psychiatric disorders among family members of victims.
SAFE calls on the Department of Homeland Security to pull back ICE and CBP officers from civilian protests unless they have been trained in and employ de-escalation and crowd control best practices. We also call on ICE and CBP and civilians to refrain from carrying lethal weapons in these crowded, chaotic environments. As we’ve witnessed, carrying firearms increases the risk for the loss of innocent lives. In the US, no one should die while exercising their foundational right of free speech and assembly.
About SAFE
SAFE’s mission is to ensure that all healthcare providers are equipped with skills and evidence-based knowledge to advise their patients, communities, and legislators on firearm use and ownership to prevent injuries and deaths. Learn more about SAFE at https://www.standsafe.org/
SAFE Co-Founder Dr. Dean Winslow Moderating Discussion on "American Solitaire" Film
SAFE Co-Founder Dr. Dean Winslow will be speaking at a screening of the new film “American Solitaire” on Monday, January 26 at 6pm PST at the Commonwealth Club of California. The film explores the challenge of a veteran grappling with the psychological, moral, and cultural aftermath of service. It’s a story about isolation, accountability and finding connection in a divided country.
Tickets must be purchased for this in-person event and can be found by clicking the button below.