Responding to Firearm Violence on a Medical School Campus (CDEM Sponsored)

Firearm related violence is a national public health issue and one that is frequently leads to care in Emergency Departments. Centers for Disease Control data from 2020 indicate that on average 124 American die of firearm-related injuries each day; more than 45,000 each year. The rate of firearm homicides increased 33% from 2019 to 2020, and another 8% in 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates healthcare settings experienced five times the frequency of violence compared to other industries. I plan to share the experience of having an active shooter on a medical school clinical campus, the events that transpired, and lessons learned from this experience, with particular attention to managing medical student exposure, risk, and education during and after the event. In addition, I plan to articulate talking points and share resources from the Association of American Medical Colleges and other resources regarding strategies and tactics to reduce firearm violence nationally.

Presenter:

  • Mark F. Olaf, DO, FACEP
Authors

  • Mark F. Olaf, DO, FACEP

    Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

    Mark F Olaf, DO, FACEP is Vice Chair of Education for Emergency Medicine and an Associate Regional Dean for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) where he is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine. He is an Emergency Physician at Geisinger Health System in Danville, PA.

    A Diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (FACEP), Dr. Olaf is also a distinguished fellow of the ACEP Teaching Fellowship. Dr. Olaf is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed emergency medicine residency training at the Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania, where he served as Chief Resident.

    Dr. Olaf has demonstrated expertise in advising and mentoring emergency medicine bound students. He has published and collaborated with colleagues from across the country to further knowledge and share information related to emergency medicine education and advising in medical school. Dr. Olaf has lectured extensively within his institution and in multiple venues across the United States. He has been awarded multiple institutional awards for mentoring and advising students. His ongoing academic and education research interests include evidence-based advising, medical student transitions to residency, and curriculum development for emergency medicine education.

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