Injury prevention
At Medical City Healthcare, we want to help you live the healthiest life possible. Find out information on fall prevention, traffic safety and other injury prevention tips.
Medical City Healthcare injury prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control, injuries sustained in a traumatic accident are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44 and the fourth overall leading cause of death in the United States. Studies and research have shown that almost 40 percent of those deaths are preventable.
Medical City Healthcare is dedicated to creating safer communities by providing awareness and advocacy through injury prevention programs, community education and outreach.
Our trauma centers, with the support of our state and community partners, are dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries. Our injury prevention specialists do this by identifying risks, implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, and serving as a resource to the communities we serve. For information on injury prevention programs in your area, please contact your local hospital.
Fall prevention
One in four Americans over the age of 65 will experience a fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries. Medical City Healthcare’s fall prevention programs are designed to promote safety, increase physical mobility and strength, and encourage independence. Contrary to popular belief, falling is not a normal part of aging. If you or a loved one has been experiencing repeated falls, we encourage you to speak to your healthcare professional.
Am I a fall risk?
Stay Active and Independent for Life (S.A.I.L.)
S.A.I.L. is an evidence-based fitness class that improves strength, balance, and mobility for adults over the age of 65. With the goal of reducing falls and supporting independence, S.A.I.L. classes are one hour in length and meet 2 to 3 times per week. The class can be tailored to fit individual needs and is perfect for any fitness level. You can even participate sitting down.
A Matter of Balance
A Matter of Balance is a nationally recognized course that reduces the fear of falling and increases activity in adults over the age of 65. The program consists of two-hour classes that meet weekly for eight weeks. This structured group intervention program incorporates exercise and education to prevent falls. In a setting among peers, A Matter of Balance includes: group discussions, problem solving, assertiveness training, tips to reduce falls in the home and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Tai Chi for seniors
Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that has ancient Chinese roots dating back to the 12th century. Recommended for fall prevention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tai Chi uses low impact, slow rhythmic gentle motions, meditation and controlled breathing to strengthen muscles. 45-minute weekly beginner, intermediate and advanced classes are held weekly at the Center for Living Well located on the Medical City Plano campus.
Additional fall prevention resources
Traffic safety
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 44 in the United States, according to statistics from the CDC. Whether you drive, walk, or ride a motorcycle on your way to school, a job, or even a doctor’s appointment, traffic safety applies to anyone on our roadways. Traffic safety is also important when considering the safety of road construction workers and first responders. Medical City Healthcare participates in several different motor vehicle safety programs in conjunction with our community partners to reduce motor vehicle accidents related to distracted driving, teen driver safety and car safety. Listed below are proven safety tips that save lives:
- Don’t drive or walk distracted
- Never drive impaired
- Wear your seatbelt and make sure children ride in the appropriate size car seat
- Wear a helmet if operating a motorcycle or bicycle
Texas - Impact Teen Drivers
Texas – Impact Teen Drivers is a free safety education course that provides evidence-based materials to engage, educate, and empower teen drivers and their passengers to make responsible choices that will decrease reckless and distracted driving. Focusing on positive solutions and stories of teens that have lost their lives or caused the loss of life in preventable car crashes, Impact uses emotional connections to motivate behavior change. Graphic images and scare tactics are never used during this course. Impact is led by nurses, first responders, law enforcement and injury prevention specialists located in North Texas. Join us in being part of the solution to save lives.
CarFit
CarFit is an educational program that provides a quick, yet comprehensive review of how well you and your vehicle work together. CarFit supports continued safe driving in the 65+ age population. During the approximate 20-minute assessment, a trained technician will assess how well your vehicle fits you and make suggestions to improve your safety; all from the comfort of your own vehicle. The program, which was developed by AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association, also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance your driving safety and increase mobility. Provided by the Brazos Valley Injury Prevention Coalition and TxDOT and supported by Medical City Healthcare trauma departments.
Teens in the Driver Seat
Developed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute in 2002, Teens in the Driver Seat has been recognized as a national best-practice model four times by the US Department of Transportation, Governors Highway Safety Association and the National Safety Council. Visit Teens in the Driver Seat to learn more.
The new You in the Driver Seat app rewards participants ages 16 to 25 for “Safe Trips” with gift cards to teens' favorite restaurants and shopping platforms.
Car seat safety
All children younger than 8 years old (unless taller than 4 ft 9 in) are required, by Texas law, to be in the appropriate car or booster seat. Selecting the appropriate car seat based on your child’s age and size is equally as important as making sure the car seat is properly installed. Car seats should always be registered with the manufacturer so the manufacturer can notify you of any recalls. Be sure to always check for the expiration date on the seat. We recommend to avoid using car seats that you are unable to confirm the history on.
Stop the Bleed
Bleeding is the most common cause of preventable death following an injury. Therefore, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma led a collaborative effort to bring knowledge of bleeding control to the public in 2015. Stop the Bleed classes are approximately 90 minutes in length and are free to the public. In this class, you will learn how to: identify life threatening bleeding, alert and communicate key information to emergency services, apply pressure and pack wounds, and apply tourniquets. Join Medical City Healthcare’s trauma departments in our goal to teach as many people as possible how to Stop the Bleed.
Trauma Survivors Network
The Trauma Survivors Network (TSN), created by the American Trauma Society, aims to support trauma patients and their families in navigating hospital stays and facilitating recovery. TSN offers practical information, peer support, and skill-building resources. Collaborating with trauma centers, TSN fosters online communities and provides training for healthcare providers.
Research shows that TSN implementation positively impacts post-trauma outcomes and aids in supporting those grieving the loss of a loved one. Explore our website to discover the comprehensive services offered, and if your center is interested in joining as a TSN facility, to get more information.
Contact us
Level III Trauma
Melinda Weaver BSN, RN
Level II Trauma
Jessica Turner BSN, RN
Jessica has a background in critical care. She is currently a Trauma Nurse Core Course instructor and offers Stop the Bleed, Impact Teen Driver, CarFit and SAIL Fall Prevention classes. She loves teaching the community about the many ways to prevent serious injuries and how to save lives. Please reach out to her and let her know how she can help.
Level III Trauma
Mary Harrell, MSN, RN, TCRN, CEN, CPST
Mary has a background in emergency nursing. She focuses on both adult and pediatric injury prevention efforts. Mary is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with advanced training for children with special needs. She is passionate about education on how to prevent injuries and loves creating relationships among the community. Please contact her for information about these classes and events:
- Fall prevention
- Car seat installation
- CarFit
- Childhood safety
- Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events
- Firearm safety
- Reality Education for Drivers
- Stop the Bleed
Phone: (972) 566-8518
Email Mary Harrell
Level II Trauma
Karrie Lawson BSN, RN, CPST
Karrie has an extensive background including trauma, pediatrics, and women’s health. She found a passion for injury prevention early in her career and works every day to make her community safer as a special needs trained Child Passenger Safety Technician, a CarFit Event Coordinator, and a Stop the Bleed Instructor. Karrie believes that injury prevention is a team sport and is ready to work alongside you to prevent injuries in our communities.
Phone: (940) 384-3525
Level III Trauma
Amanda Crowell, RN
Level III Trauma
Mauri Thomas, RN
Phone: (469) 455-9763
Email Mauri Thomas
Level III Trauma
Amanda Mills, MSN, MBA, RN
Amanda Mills is a registered nurse with a background in emergency nursing.
Phone: (469) 370-2023
Email Amanda Mills
Level II Trauma
Jeff Tesney, RN
Jeff Tesney is a registered nurse with an extensive background that includes critical care, emergency nursing, house supervisor, stoke coordinator, sepsis coordinator and palliative care coordinator. He is a Car Fit technician and a Stop the Bleed trainer. With his many years spent caring for patients in multiple patient care areas, Jeff has seen a patient population where preventative measures may have prevented an injury or hospitalization so community education is his primary focus.
Phone: (972) 540-4829
Email Jeff Tesney
Level III Trauma
Mika McNeese, RN
Phone: (817) 255-1000
Email Mika McNeese
Level I Trauma and Verified Burn Center
Jinnifir Gauerke, BSN, RN, TCRN
Jinnifir Gauerke is a registered nurse with an extensive background that includes, critical care, emergency nursing, and critical care transport. Jinnifir is currently a Trauma Nurse Core Course instructor, a Stop the Bleed instructor, Impact Teen Driver facilitator, CarFit technician and a Trauma Survivors Network coordinator. With her many years spent caring for patients in both the emergency department and intensive care unit, and seeing so many preventable injuries, Jin redirected her focus to preventing injury through educating the community and improving safety across the age continuum. Please contact Jin so she can help make your community safer.
Level IV Trauma
Cyndi Aguirre, ADN, RN
Cyndi Aguirre is a registered nurse with a background in emergency nursing. As the Trauma Program Coordinator for Medical City Weatherford, she focuses on serving her community, with a special focus on seniors and young adolescents. She loves to be out in the community, and finding those that she can help through education on fall prevention, bicycle safety, and working with both Girl Scouts of America and Boy Scouts of America. She is a Stop the Bleed trainer and would love to set up a training for you! Please reach out to her and let her know how she can help prevent injuries in your community.