08/02/2022

Featured Council of Centers Member

Center for Injury Reseach and Policy at Nationwide Chlidren's Hospital

Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Director: Gary Smith, MD, DrPH

Organization’s Twitter handle: @CIRPatNCH

Year organization/center was founded: 1999

City/state where the organization/center is located: Columbus, OH

What is something that the city where your organization/center is located is known for?

Anthony Thomas chocolates is based here in Columbus, Ohio. They make Buckeyes, a peanut butter chocolate candy named after the local football team. Columbus doesn’t have a professional football team but The Ohio State Buckeyes attempt to make up for it.

What is/are the primary injury topics your organization/center addresses?

Our research focuses on children and adolescents – usually up to age 21. Our PIs have a variety of interests from home and consumer product safety to distracted driving, sports-related injuries, and trauma.

Tell us about a fun office tradition your organization/center has.

Pre-pandemic, we’d have a holiday party each January where we would all go out to lunch and do a fun activity together like painting pottery, blowing glass, or making candles. It’s a fun way for all the teams to socialize and get to know each other. We also celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day each September (argh!) and hold a lively March Madness competition.

How has your organization stayed connected during the pandemic?

We have monthly staff meetings on Zoom and have tried to keep up some in-person traditions like holding March Madness competitions (updates via email and Teams rather than email and posted on a door) and sharing photos every few weeks on a shared Shutterfly account. Once everyone was fully vaccinated, some teams have started holding in-person meetings and gatherings outside at each others’ homes, nearby parks or on campus.