Student National Medical Association – UofL News Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:44:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Future Healers impact study published in The American Surgeon /post/uofltoday/future-healers-impact-study-published-in-the-american-surgeon/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:36:11 +0000 /?p=59920 A study focusing on the impact of the has been published in The American Surgeon, showcasing how the prevention program influences youth at risk for gun violence.

The study surveyed 92 children and 64 caregivers who were participating in the program at the time—52% responded to the questionnaire, leading to the results published in .

Students in the (SNMA) worked closely with UofL Health trauma surgeons and to create the Future Healers Program in 2020. The program helps Louisville youth who have been affected by violence to navigate the trauma, and inspires them to build a better future for themselves and their communities by introducing them to opportunities in the medical field. The partnership has brought more than 100 kids to the program, and its success has inspired Vanderbilt University Medical Center to replicate the initiative in 2023.

The study found that children and their caregivers with significant exposure to gun violence had a positive overall perception of the health care community, a compliment to the longtime goal of the Future Healers founders.

Louisville has seen a significant increase in gun violence within the last decade. The health care response from the , paired with the Future Healer Program, aims to create hope for the kids in this community.

]]> UofL medical students honored for paving the path for kids affected by gun violence /post/uofltoday/uofl-medical-students-honored-for-paving-the-path-for-kids-affected-by-gun-violence/ Wed, 10 May 2023 20:25:59 +0000 /?p=58529 UofL Health – UofL Hospital, the University of Louisville School of Medicine and 2X Game Changers celebrated the medical student graduates who have spent the last three years making a difference in the community through the launch of the Future Healers Program.

Future Healers, created in part by students at the UofL School of Medicine, builds relationships with children who have been impacted by gun violence.

Students in the UofL Student National Medical Association (SNMA) worked closely with UofL Health trauma surgeons and Christopher 2X Game Changers to create the Future Healers Program. It ultimately helps Louisville youth affected by violence to navigate the trauma and inspires them to build better futures for themselves and their communities by introducing them to opportunities in the medical field.  

Orion Rushin, left, embraced Karen Udoh, right, who was recognized with a special sendoff for her role in the launch of the Future Healers Program
Orion Rushin, left, embraced Karen Udoh, right, who was recognized with a special sendoff for her role in the launch of the Future Healers Program

A ceremony on Tuesday, May 9 honored the medical students and showed appreciation for the time and effort they put into building the curriculum and stimulating a real impact on these kids and teenagers. Karen Udoh, who has served as a leader and voice of the Future Healers Program, was recognized with a special send off as she heads to Baltimore to start her residency with the Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine. Udoh will remain a part of Future Healers as an advisor.

Since October of 2020, the partnership has brought over 100 kids to the program.

Louisville has seen a significant increase in gun violence in the last decade, including two mass shootings in the last month. The health care response from the UofL Hospital – J. David Richardson Trauma Center, paired with the Future Healers Program aims to create a hope for the kids in this community.

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