News & Events
News & Events
Recent FIPP News & Events are listed below. To view past news select the year.
FIPP Tip December 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Happy Holidays!
The Firearm Injury Prevention Program Team wishes you, your family, and your friends a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
Don’t forget to visit our website at fipp@urmc.edu or contact us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu if you have questions or need resources around secure firearm storage.
The FIPP Team also has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader contact us.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for URMC Memory Care Social Work Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
On Wednesday, December 3, FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to the Memory Care Social Work staff. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you are interested in having Dr. West and Ms.Nichols-Hadeed present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
FIPP Tip November 2025
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Secure Firearm Storage During the Holidays
The holiday season is just around the corner! This time of year presents several natural opportunities to engage your patients in conversations about the importance of secure firearm storage.
Consider these possible discussion points:
Hunting Season: With regular deer hunting season in the Finger Lakes running from November 15 to December 7, it's an excellent time to gently inquire about how patients store their rifles and shotguns when they're not in use.
Holiday Visitors: Many patients will be hosting or visiting friends and family. For gun owners, a friendly reminder about secure storage is especially important when children and teenagers are present. For non-gun owners, empowering them with ways to initiate conversations about secure firearm storage when visiting others can be incredibly helpful.
Gifts: Is a patient considering purchasing a firearm as a gift, or perhaps passing down a treasured family heirloom? This is an ideal moment to ensure that secure storage solutions are part of that gift, and to provide resources about the legal aspects surrounding firearm inheritance.
Suicide Prevention: The holidays can be a particularly challenging emotional period for some. If you have patients at increased risk for severe depression or suicide during this time, it's critical to remind them (and their loved ones) of options for temporarily removing firearms from the home to prevent self-harm or harm to others.
Do you have questions or need help finding resources about secure firearm storage? Visit our website at fipp@urmc.edu or contact us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
As always, please remember that the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader contact us.
Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Family Medicine Residents
Thursday, October 30, 2025
On Thursday, October 30, FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to Family Medicine Residents. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you are interested in having Dr. West and Ms. Nichols-Hadeed present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
FIPP Tip October 2025
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
‘Tis the Season
It’s October! Time for colored leaves, chilly nights, and, for some, holiday parties! Like other seasons of the year, there are many times when a child might be spending time in someone else's home. Parents or caregivers may want to know if firearms are present and how they are stored, particularly at a time of year that also marks the beginning of hunting season.
Think about situations like:
- Playdates and Sleepovers: When a child spends extended time at a friend's house.
- Babysitting: If a teen is watching children in another home.
- Parties: Birthday parties and holiday gatherings, or other social events.
- Visiting Relatives: When children are staying with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins.
When is the right time for your patients to talk about firearms in the home, and how do they even start that conversation?
To help navigate these important discussions, the Ad Council, along with a group of healthcare and brand partners, has launched "Agree to Agree." The Agree to Agree’s Conversation Guides website has practical guidance for you and your patients on when and how to initiate discussions about secure firearm storage, especially when children are visiting homes where firearms might be present. Particularly helpful are videos that demonstrate how to engage in conversations about safe and secure firearm storage when making plans for children to spend time in other homes.
As always, please remember that the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and you have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader reach out to us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided to Mobile Crisis Team Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
On Wednesday, October 22, FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers to the Department of Psychiatry’s Mobile Crisis Team. The presentation featured the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you would like to schedule a firearm injury prevention presentation, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
FIPP Co-Directors Present at Willow Domestic Violence Center Summit
Friday, October 10, 2025
FIPP Co-Directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, joined Jayla Reed, Domestic Violence High-Risk Team Coordinator at the Willow Domestic Violence Center, to talk about the importance of secure firearm storage as it pertains to domestic violence.
Willow Domestic Violence Center Summit - Building Safer Futures: Together We Will… took place Friday, October 10, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship in Rochester, NY
The summit was dedicated to fostering greater awareness and education on domestic violence and brought together a diverse array of local and regional presenters offering a wide scope of expertise and knowledge.
FIPP Co-Directors Highlight Secure Firearm Storage as Key to Suicide Prevention at Local Conference
Friday, September 26, 2025
FIPP Co-Directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, joined Ashley Smith from the Veterans Administration to talk about the role of secure firearm storage in suicide prevention.
Break the Silence: A Suicide Prevention Conference, presented by Partners for Suicide Prevention, took place on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Monroe-2 Orleans Boces in Spencerport
The conference was designed to encourage dialogue, provide education, and foster a sense of community around suicide prevention.
FIPP Tip September 2025
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Conference & Summit Announcements
FIPP Co-Directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, are participating in two upcoming conference workshops to talk about the importance of secure firearm storage as it pertains to suicide prevention and domestic violence.
To learn more about each conference and/or register, click the conference title to go to the appropriate website.
Break the Silence: A Suicide Prevention Conference
Presented by Partners for Suicide Prevention
Friday, September 26, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Monroe-2 Orleans Boces
This conference is designed to encourage dialogue, provide education, and foster a sense of community around suicide prevention.
Willow Domestic Violence Center Summit - Building Safer Futures: Together We Will…
Friday, October 10, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship
This annual summit features local and regional presenters and workshops, with a wide range of expertise and knowledge, coming together to raise awareness and provide education on issues of domestic violence in our community.
Remember, the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and you have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader reach out to us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
FIPP Tip August 2025
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Back to School
It’s that time of year again! The days are getting shorter and cooler, the leaves are changing, and kids are heading back to school. While this is an exciting time for many children and their caregivers, it can be a stressful or unsettling time for others, especially with concerns about school shootings or lockdown drills.
School shootings, while statistically rare, are still a heartbreaking reality. Being prepared and having plans in place to handle the possible aftermath have become an important part of supporting schools and communities. There are many online resources you can provide to caregivers of children to help them navigate the conversations and concerns about gun violence.
Below are some links to get you started:
- Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)
- How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings | Child Mind Institute
- School Safety During an Emergency or Crisis: What Parents Need to Know - HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- How to Discuss Lockdown Drills with Your Child
You can also visit the FIPP Resources for Survivors of Gun Violence page, which provides additional resources and information related to helping children cope with traumatic experiences involving guns.
Remember, the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and you have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader reach out to us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided to the Ambulatory Workplace Safety Committee
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
On Wednesday, August 27, FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers to Ambulatory Workplace Safety Committee members.
The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you are interested in having Drs. West and Nichols-Hadeed to present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided to Psychiatry Medical Residents
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
On Wednesday, August 27, FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers to Department of Psychiatry Year 3 Medical Residents. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you are interested in having Drs. West and Nichols-Hadeed to present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Family Medicine Residents
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
On Tuesday, July 29, FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to Family Medicine Residents. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you are interested in having Dr. West and Ms. Nichols-Hadeed present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
FIPP and Injury Free Kids Coalition Attend Health & Wellness Fair
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
FIPP and Injiru Free Kids Coalition attended the third annual Helen Barrett Montgomery School #50 Health & Wellness Fair. The fair featured a variety of vendors from Monroe County that offered information for mental, physical, career, and financial well-being. FIPP and IFKC provided information and resources about child car seats, swimming safety, medication safety, and firearm injury prevention.
FIPP Tip June 2025
Friday, June 20, 2025
ASK Day
ASK Day takes place on June 21, the start of summer, a season when children often spend more time visiting friends and extended family. The day marks a national effort to encourage caregivers to ask about firearms in the spaces where their children spend time outside of the home. It can feel awkward at first, but it gets easier the more you do it. You can also encourage caregivers with whom you work to ask and role-play with them on how best to approach the conversation.
Visit Brady United’s ASK to End Family Fire | Brady United) website to learn more about why asking matters.
Just a reminder, the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and you have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader reach out to us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
If you are interested in a training or presentation, please visit our website and fill out the Request a Training or Presentation form.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Pediatric Health & Wellness Inpatient and Integrated Primary Care Staff
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
On Wednesday, June 18, FIPP Co-director, Jennifer West, PhD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to staff from the Pediatric Health & Wellness Inpatient unit and integrated primary care. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you are interested in having Dr. West present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
Jennifer West, PhD featured on WXXI Connections: How to communicate about firearm safety
Friday, June 13, 2025
FIPP co-director, Jennifer West, PhD, was joined by Strong Pediatric Practice pediatrician, Crystal Craig, MD, MPH, and the Strong Pediatric Trauma Program Manager, Adam Oplinger, BS, RN, CEN, TCRN, on WXXI’s radio talk show, Connections with Evan Dawson.
The group discussed the importance of secure firearm storage and highlighted ASK Day, a national effort that takes place each year on June 21 to encourage caregivers to ask about firearms in the spaces where their children spend time.
FIPP Co-Directors Join Lifespan for Firearm Safety and Dementia Webinar
Thursday, June 12, 2025
On June 12, FIPP co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols, JD, joined Lifespan staff and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for the webinar: The Elephant in the Room: Firearm Safety and Dementia.
This panel-style session offered practical guidance on how caregivers can address the growing risks for unintentional and intentional harm for loved ones with dementia who also have access to firearms (including legal and safety considerations).
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Psychiatry Nursing Staff
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
FIPP Co-director, Jennifer West, PhD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to a group of the Psychiatry Nursing staff on Tuesday, June 10. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
If you are interested in having Dr. West present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.
FIPP and Psychiatry Staff Wear Orange in honor of Firearm Violence Awarence
Friday, June 6, 2025
The FIPP team joined Golisano Children's Hospital for their Wear Orange event which took place in the Strong Memorial Hospital lobby on Friday, June 6. Wear Orange is celebrated the first weekend each June to recognize the resilience of firearm violence survivors and the dedication of advocates striving for a safer future. Event guests included community orgnaizations Should Never Use Guns (585 SNUG), Pathways to Peace, Moms Demand Action, and Rochester Spinal Association. These partners shared information and resources around firearm violence prevention, advoacy, and help for survivors of firearm violence.
Several Psychiatry clinics also showed their support for Wear Orange Day. Pictured (from L to R) are staff from the Geriatric Mental Health and Memory Care Clinic, Medicine in Psychiatry Clinic (MIPS), the East River Road Pediatric Behavavioral Health & Wellness clinic. Go Team Psych!
News Program Good Day Rochester Features Wear Orange Day
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Wanda Ridgeway, Executive Director of Rise Up Rochester, and Adam Oplinger, University of Rochester Medical Center Pediatric Trauma Program Manager, were guests on WUHF’s Good Day Rochester on June 5. The duo spoke about two Wear Orange events that took place to raise awareness about gun violence.
FIPP June 2025 Newsletter
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The June 2025 newsletter honors Gun Violence Awareness Month. This issue covers information about events taking place in June and features a story about a Pediatric Behavioral Health clinician's personal experience with gun violence.
URMC FIREARM INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month is a time to honor victims and survivors of firearm violence across the United States. GVAM is an opportunity for communities to come together to find ways to prevent it and effectively respond to those who have experienced it.
WHAT IS WEAR ORANGE WEEKEND?
The Wear Orange event occurs nationwide the first weekend in June to bring attention to gun violence and its impact. The event began as a way for friends to honor the life of a young woman shot and killed in Chicago in 2013. They wore orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others, and to commemorate her life. See the events calendar below for Rochester Wear Orange events.
Provider Spotlight - Meagan Holiday, LMHC, NCC, Senior Mental Health Therapist, UR Medicine Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Outpatient Services
I begin each workday with a glimpse of the crystal angel suncatcher hanging on my window; a matching angel I gave to his mother after he died. It would remind us both of the story of infinite possibility, perseverance, and devastating loss intertwined. After losing a former patient to gun violence—a young man who had fought so hard to overcome obstacles and finally found his place in this world- I found myself at a crossroads in my counseling practice. His death wasn't just a statistic to me; it was the loss of someone whose determination and resilience I had witnessed firsthand. He embodied innocence, kindness and love. He was a hard worker, devoted entirely to helping others. And in an instant, on his way home from a volunteer event, the beautiful life he built for himself was tragically ended all from one bullet fired from one gun.
In honor of his memory, I began integrating more firearm safety assessments and interventions into my standard practice. I now see through a different lens the curious toddler who, at age three, is strong enough to pull a trigger, the depressed teen who has been contemplating suicide, and the impulsive twelve-year-old desperate for peer validation. This work has revealed a profound truth meaningful prevention happens in the office and it starts with one simple question: "Can you tell me about how you store your firearms?” These conversations are not about politics. In fact, most parents are receptive when it comes to the safety of their children. It is about creating time and space between a moment of crisis and an irreversible action. Most importantly, these conversations can and should be initiated by healthcare providers across all specialties.
Today there is a light from the crystal angel in my office that casts gentle reflections onto the faces of the patients and parents who sit before me. And each time a parent tells me that they have secured their firearm more safely, I see it as a way of honoring the legacy of a wonderful young man who was taken far too soon.
June 6
Golisano Children’s Hospital Wear Orange Strong Memorial Hospital Lobby 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wear Orange to End Gun Violence Parcel 5, Rochester, NY 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
June 12
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. FIPP co-directors, Jennifer West and Corey Nichols, will present with Lifespan in the webinar: The Elephant in the Room: Firearm Safety and Dementia To register: lifespan-roch.org/news-events
FIPP Director Jennifer West, PhD, joins Pediatrician Crystal Craig, MD, and Adam Oplinger, B.S., R.N., C.E.N., TCRN, Pediatric Trauma Program Manager, to talk about ASK Day and the importance of secure firearm storage.
June 21
ASK Day ASK Day is a national effort to encourage caregivers to ask about firearms in the spaces where their children spend time outside of the home. ASK Day is June 21 | Brady United
URMC Geriatric Grand Rounds Featured FIPP Co-Directors
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
FIPP Co-Directors, Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, and Jennifer West, PhD, talked to health care providers about secure firearm storage as a modifiable risk factor for unintentional firearm injury and death with an emphasis on issues impacting older adults and their caregivers and families. The presentation included information about how clinicians can have productive conversations with patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for URMC Social Workers
Thursday, May 22, 2025
FIPP Co-director, Jennifer West, PhD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to URMC Social Workers. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
FIPP Co-Director Joins Panel at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles
Thursday, May 22, 2025
FIPP co-director, Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, co-presented Teamwork in the Gray Zone: Risky Puzzles in Geriatric Psychiatry with EJ Santos, MD, and Karen Reimers, MD, at the annual APA meeting in Los Angeles, CA. The presentation discussed special considerations for firearm secure storage for patients with dementia.
FIPP Attends UPrep Health Fair
Saturday, May 17, 2025
FIPP's Program Coordinator, Kelly Johnson, attended the University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men's Health Fair with Jerard Johnson from URMC's Pediatric Health & Wellness. The event took place Saturday, 5/14/25 in Rochester, NY, and provided health care information and resources from a variety of vendors, including Common Ground Health, URMC Wilmot Cancer Center, Monroe County Public Health, RIT, and Alzheimer's Association.
FIPP Firearm Injury Prevention Workgroup Member Wins Public Health Award
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Crystal Craig, MD, MPH, won the Public Health Sciences Emeritus Award at the University of Rochester Public Health Master's graduation ceremony held on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The award is given to the graduating student with an outstanding research project. Dr. Craig's project was titled “The Impact of Child Access Prevention and Safe Storage Law on Youth”. Congratulations on the award and your Master of Public Health degree, Dr. Craig!
FIPP Co-Director Presents at Caring for Older Adults in Rural New York Conference
Friday, May 9, 2025
FIPP Co-director, Jennifer West, PhD, co-presented with Lifespan at the annual Caring for Older Adults in Rural New York Conference. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death, with an emphasis on issues affecting older adults and their caregivers and families. Lifespan is a not-for-profit agency that provides information, resources, and services to older adults and caregivers in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Lazos Fuertes Clinic
Monday, April 28, 2025
FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to clinicians and staff in the Lazos Fuertes program, a part of the Strong Minds Adult Outpatient Clinic. The training taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death (with an emphasis on issues affecting the Hispanic community); how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
FIPP Tip April 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
FIPP Website
Where can you find a wealth of information and resources about firearm injury prevention?
The FIPP website, of course!
Our newly updated website offers a range of firearm injury prevention-related information for community members, health care providers, and firearm violence survivors.
Interested in making a request for a training or presentation?
Do you want to know more about our medical center and community partners?
You can find it all at www.fipp.urmc.edu.
Check it out and let us know what you think! Email your comments and suggestions to Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
But wait, there’s more! The FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and you have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader reach out to us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
FIPP Co-Director Contributed to Poster Presented at Annual Conference in New York City
Monday, April 7, 2025
FIPP Co-Director, Jennifer West, PhD, contributed to the poster, Addressing social determinants of health in youth and young adult victims of firearm violence. The poster was presented at the SAVIR Accelerating the Science of Safety annual conference in New York, NY. Other contributors included Anne Brayer, MD, Michael Scharf, MD, and Crystal Craig, MD, who presented the poster at the conference.
FIPP Tip March 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Older Adults
Aging is a natural part of life that brings many changes and can sometimes increase the risk of injury, particularly for older adults who own firearms. Changes in thinking, mood, and physical abilities, like poor vision and slower reactions, can all contribute to an increased risk of firearm injury or death for older adults and their loved ones.
Check out these resources for more information and tips:
Resources and tips for patients with dementia
This site offers resources and tools to help families start conversations about firearms, aging, and future planning.
The FIPP offers an Older Adult brochure with key safety considerations for caregivers or those engaged with an older adult who may have firearms in the home. Please contact us to request a copy.
We also have free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and you have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader reach out to us.
Questions? Comments? Contact us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Ambulatory Clinic
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention training for clinicians and staff at the Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness ambulatory clinic. The training taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death (with an emphasis on issues affecting children and their families); how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
WDKX Check Your Health Podcast Featured Firearm Injury Prevention Program Co-Directors
Friday, March 7, 2025
Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, and Jennifer West, PhD, Co-Directors of the Firearm Injury Prevention Program were recent guests on WDKX's Check Your Health program hosted by Dr. Shaun Nelms, Vice President of Community Partnerships at the University of Rochester. The group discussed the critical issue of firearm injury prevention. During this conversation, they addressed common misconceptions about firearm injuries and provided strategies for preventing them. Additionally, they shared resources on safe firearm storage and other safety measures to help protect our communities. You can listen to the podcast here.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Strong Minds Psychiatry Adult Outpatient Clinicians
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to URMC’s Strong Minds adult outpatient clinicians and staff. The training taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
FIPP Team Attends 6th Annual Northwell Health Forum
Friday, February 28, 2025
FIPP Co-directors, Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, and Jennifer West, PhD, and Program Manager, Kelly Johnson, virtually attended the 6th annual Northwell Health Gun Violence Prevention Forum. The forum convened health care, government, business and community leaders to seek solutions around firearm injuries and death in the United States. Panelists included Chris Christie, 55th Governor of New Jersey; Arne Duncan, Former U.S. Secretary of Education; managing partner, Chicago CRED, Emerson Collective; Will Lee, chief executive officer, ADWEEK; Julie Morita, MD, president and chief executive officer, The Joyce Foundation; Priscilla Sims Brown, president and chief executive officer, Amalgamated Bank and Jadine Chou, partner, PAX Group and former chief of safety and security, Chicago public schools.
Firearm Injury Prevention Training for Medicine in Psychiatry Clinicians
Monday, February 24, 2025
FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to URMC’s Medicine in Psychiatry clinicians and staff. The training taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
FIPP Tip February 2025: How do you know what type of secure firearm storage is best for your patients?
Thursday, February 20, 2025
How do you know what type of secure firearm storage is best for your patients?
Check out this video from UC Davis’s BulletPoints Project. This 2+ minute video provides an overview of several firearm storage options, all of which can be purchased locally and online.
Did you know the FIPP has cable gun locks and instructions for their use available for distribution to patients?
To request cable gun locks, please email us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu.
Please note, you must have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training to receive cable gun locks to distribute
Firearm Injury Prevention Training for Inpatient Medicine in Psychiatry Clinicians
Monday, February 10, 2025
FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to URMC’s Inpatient Medicine in Psychiatry clinicians. The training taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.
FIPP Co-Directors Joined Lifespan for a Webinar About Firearm Safety and Dementia
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, joined Lifespan staff to present Firearm Safety and Dementia, Part 2: Destigmatizing Crucial Conversations. The webinar was attended by staff from the New York State Office for the Aging, Children and Family Services, and Adult Protective Services as well as civil attorneys, community aging service providers, domestic violence service provider and URMC clinicians. Lifespan is a not-for-profit agency that provides information, resources and services to older adults and caregivers in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The webinar was part of Lifespan Health’s Financial Exploitation Webinar Series for Professionals.
FIPP Tip January 2025: Secure Firearm Storage in the New Year
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Starting the Year Out with Secure Firearm Storage
The start of the new year is a perfect time to return to the basics of safe storage counseling.
UC Davis developed the BulletPoints Project, which provides a wealth of information about counseling patients around safe firearm storage.
Providers can visit their How to Counsel page for a refresher on addressing barriers to counseling and the 3As, a framework to guide clinicians through speaking with patients about firearms.
You can also download and print brochures from this web page for patients to take with them.
As always, please remember that the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader contact us. Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!