We are so proud and excited to be part of Future Healers and the outreach, service and education it provides for kids from underserved neighborhoods who learn from University of Louisville Medical School doctors and students and the UofL Hospital Trauma Institute team. The program, now in a pilot phase with kids from 4-13, kicked off on July 24 at UofL Hospital, with younger children engaging in an anatomy lesson with play dough and older kids in an operating room where they handled surgery tools and learned about the many people and skills required to successfully perform an operation, with the focus always on the patient. Thanks to everyone in the medical field from UofL for giving back to this program and building a more equitable, safe, and thriving community!

Students in the UofL Student National Medical Association (SNMA), UofL Faculty and Christopher 2X Game Changers have partnered together to create the Future Healers Program. This program will help Louisville youth affected by violence in their neighborhoods navigate the trauma of violence and inspire them to build a better future for themselves and their communities.

In February of 2021, the SNMA team conducted a pilot session with approximately 50 preschool and middle school children at the Chestnut Street YMCA. The students conducted 45-minute interactive, virtual sessions that included pre-recorded videos with the faculty members, a mindfulness activity, and hands-on activities for the kids. A “doctor’s bag” with masks, gloves, and modelling clay for creating their own anatomy models was provided to each of the children.

With additional support from the medical students, staff or trainee volunteers, sponsors, School of Medicine faculty and 2X Game Changers, the UofL students will conduct future regularly scheduled sessions with the youth and expand the program to more young people in the community.

UofL Hospital's trauma team partnered with 2X Game Changers and SNMA ULSOM Chapter to present the very first Kelsie Small Future Healer Award. Her legacy will live on through the Future Healers program. “You can’t measure the impact of violence simply by what we lose today, you must account to what we have lost tomorrow and every day there after.

– Keith Miller M.D. Trauma Surgeon