May is a month when we pause to recognize the impact trauma has on our communities. We celebrate Nurses, EMS, Police, and Fire personnel for the care and service they provide each day. On May 20, 2026, we took a moment to celebrate Trauma Survivors.

A trauma survivor is someone who has experienced a distressing or life-altering event and continues to cope with its emotional, psychological, or physical effects. Trauma affects not only the person who suffers the injury, but also the families, caregivers, healthcare workers, and communities who walk alongside them through recovery and healing.

Hospitals throughout Michigan celebrated Trauma Survivors in a variety of ways including Ice Cream Socials, Speaker Events, TV interviews and Resource Fairs. What did your community do to celebrate Trauma Survivors?

Covenant HealthCare Trauma Program and Mary Free Bed along with other community partners recognized and honored patients, families, caretakers, and healthcare professionals as they continue this journey with strength, compassion, and resilience by hosting an Ice Cream Social and resource table.  151 people attended the event.

Corewell Health West held and event at Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids Michigan on May 27. It was dinner with about 370 survivors, clinicians, and family celebrating survivorship. They highlighted their stories, shared stories on inspiriation and determination. Team members spoke along with a family member of a survivor and what she faced while her daughter recovered from a severe motorcycle crash.

Michigan Trauma Coalition continues to advocate for Stop the Bleed training and awareness with our State Legislators as well as changes to the Good Samaritan Law to include bleeding control.   Currently, Senate Bills are Michigan Senate Bill 590 and Michigan Senate Bill 591—which amend the state’s Good Samaritan Law to include bleeding control— summarized here. These bills have passed the Michigan Senate and are now under consideration in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Representative Dave Prestin introduced a resolution to signify it as Stop the Bleed Day on May 21, 2026.  View the recording here.

Please continue to advocate with state legislators on the importance of Stop the Bleed Training for our high school students, community members as well as amending the Good Samaritan Law.

Stop the Bleed Day is simply an exciting time to share details around this life-saving program, and provide education in our communities.

Stop the Bleed training includes the effective use of emergency bleeding control kits, emergency preparedness, and advanced first aid procedures. There may be a Stop the Bleed kit near you accompanying the AED in schools, hospitals and public places. This vital initiative is also endorsed by the Michigan Legislature as they recognize the importance of this program with resolutions passed, and support for the program in schools, and many community levels.

Here are some exciting highlights of Stop the Bleed Initiatives that took place around the state of Michigan.

On May 22nd at West Bloomfield’s Henry Ford Health- Nicole Papalian and Vanessa Mier focused on the local and accessible Stop the Bleed kits inside of the hospital, and shared demonstrations with tourniquets, hands-on training, and certification information for staff and visitors. Vanessa and Nicole from Novi and West Bloomfield Henry Ford hospitals also discussed the importance of trauma and injury prevention, the Michigan Trauma Coalition, and Michigan’s vital trauma centers.

Each day, many people walk by the large Stop the Bleed kit near the hospital cafeteria, this was an ideal time to expand on the purpose of this kit, and there was fantastic feedback about the program from more than 150 people that we encountered. Stop the Bleed Champions discussed how sharing the Stop the Bleed program in schools, hospitals and in general civilian populations is a priority, and how to become involved. Also, we had an opportunity for people to sign-up and become certified.

Christina Cameron, MSN, RN from Bronson Hospital Trauma Services Participated in Stop the Bleed Day education and outreach at the Calhoun Senior Expo. Tourniquet demonstrations were done and 200 mini first aid kits with Stop the Bleed Education were distributed.

Anita Barksdale, Trinity Health Oakland partnered with area Fire/EMS/Rescue services and Healing Hearts Cardiac Emergency Prevention Services to travel to high school medical track classes in high schools, senior communities with limited resources, and businesses to provide life-saving training on how to manage a life-threatening bleed and HANDS ONLY CPR throughout the month of May.

Tera Richards, University of Michigan Health-West, May 2025

Students Gain Life-Saving Skills Through Stop the Bleed Training

On May 30th, just before the final days of the 2025 school year, students in a life skills class participated in hands-on training focused on bleeding control, using materials and guidance provided by the Stop the Bleed initiative. The session combined demonstration, direct instruction, and interactive practice.

Students self-assessed their knowledge and skills before and after the training using a 5-point scale, where 1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, and 5 = Very Good. The results showed clear improvements across multiple areas:

· Knowledge of Bleeding Control: Average self-assessed scores rose from 3 (fair) to 4 (good).

· Skill Proficiency: Ability to perform bleeding control techniques improved from 2 (poor) to 4 (good).

· Emergency Readiness: Confidence in responding to a serious bleeding injury increased from 2 (poor) to 4 (good).

· Comfort with Equipment: Comfort using a bleeding control kit rose from 2 (poor) to 4 (good).

Beyond the quantitative gains, the energy and enthusiasm students showed while engaging with the Stop the Bleed materials demonstrate not only their interest in community health and safety…but also that impactful learning was taking place.

Emma Chandler with Corewell Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids, hosted a Stop the Bleed event led by our general surgery residents.

In April 2025, the team extended this effort to Comstock Park High School, engaging approximately 500 students and staff in a dynamic and educational experience. The event began with a general assembly where the resident presented the Stop the Bleed Power Point.

Following the assembly, the students rotated through hands on skills station where they practiced wound packing, holding pressure and tourniquet application under the guidance of the residents. Additional stations included

· Blood donation station where students were given the opportunity to donate blood

· Blood administration awareness where 3 members of our acute surgery team explained how donated blood is used in clinical settings to save lives.

To round out the event, the school hosted an impact speaker on mental health, emphasizing the importance of well-being and resilience in both everyday life and emergency situations.

Following this event, the district won an award for school wellness and in their success story discussed the importance of Stop the Bleed and the education they received during this event.

One student remarked, “I always thought saving a life was something only doctors could do. Now I feel like I could really help someone if it came down to it.” That sense of empowerment was echoed across the school, as students connected classroom learning to real-world action.

Ann Clancy-Klemme at UP Health System, Marquette hosted multiple awareness tables, including a larger-than-life OPERATIONS game and simulated bleeding control stations to help colleagues fully immerse themselves in the life-saving experience of managing severe bleeding at the scene!

Bring Stop the Bleed to your community: https://mitrauma.org/mtcinjuryprevention/

Marie Snodgrass
Injury Prevention Program Lead | C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital | Pediatric Trauma Program
Injury Prevention/Healthcare Representative National Child Passenger Safety Board
Safe Kids Huron Valley Program Coordinator

On April 2^nd, Michigan’s new Child Passenger Safety Laws will go into effect. Countless child passenger safety advocates from across the state worked closely with bill sponsor, State Representative Carrie Rheingans and her team, (serving parts of Jackson and Washtenaw Counties) to create House Bills 4511 & 4512. These bills better align with American Academy of Pediatrics child passenger safety recommendations.

HB4511 includes-

• keeping children riding rear-facing until at they are least 2 years old, or they have reached the maximum weight or height limit of the rear-facing child restraint, set by the manufacturer
• keeping children in five-point harnessed car seats until they are at least 5 years old, or they have reached the maximum weight or height limit of the rear-facing child restraint, set by the manufacturer
• keeping children in booster seats, with the vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt, until they are at least 8 years or 4’9” tall
• children who are at least eight years old or at least 4’9” tall, but are under 13 years old, must be restrained with a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt in a rear seat, if the vehicle has a rear seat and not all the rear seats are occupied by children
• Michigan is also what is commonly referred to as a Proper Use state and there is a statement that reads that a child must be secured in a restraint system that is appropriate for the child’s weight and height and configured according to the restraint system manufacturer’s instructions and the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions and standards.

HB4512 amends the previously written code that allows a judge to waive a civil fine or citation for not having a proper child restraint, if the caregiver was able to show proof of acquiring car seat before appearing for the citation. The new law is written so that the caregiver will also have to provide evidence that they received education from a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

These are significant changes to Michigan’s laws that members of Michigan’s Child Passenger Safety community have been advocating for, over many years. The persistence of these advocates paid off as they testified year after year in front of numerous State Legislators for these changes. All involved are excited to have Michigan laws align with what is known to be best practice and the safest way for children to ride on Michigan roads.

View the infographic flyer by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

Legislative Advocacy and Outreach Committee

Stop the Bleed Legislation – House Bills 5741, 5742, and 5743 update Michigan’s Good Samaritan Law to cover bleeding control techniques, as well as add education requirements to have 7^th-12^th graders take a Stop the Bleed course. The bills are currently in the House Judiciary Committee where MTC testified in support of these bills. The next step is to report the bills to the House floor where a vote before all 110 Representatives can take place. We hope to provide an update soon.

MTC Stop the Bleed Subcommittee

Imagine being the school bus driver involved in a bus collision and there is a need to render aid to a child involved in the crash. Or walk in the shoes of a neighbor who just witnessed their friend start to bleed after cutting themselves while trimming a tree. The “helpers” in these situations would be considered “Good Samaritans”- anyone who renders aid in an emergency to an injured or ill person. In some states and countries there are laws put in place to protect the acts of a Good Samaritan. In fact, all 50 states have good Samaritan Laws, with some variations in who is protected and in what circumstances. In some countries, there are Duty to Rescue Laws that hold a person liable if they fail to act in an emergency!

Enter the Stop the Bleed Program…
The American College of Surgeons developed a program, called Stop the Bleed, that teaches non-medical people techniques to control a life-threatening bleed at the scene of an emergency until help arrives. The idea behind the program is to encourage any bystander to help a person who is bleeding to reduce the risk of bleeding to death. The encouragement of such life-saving measures is supported by organizations like the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, that recently reported that pre-hospital use of tourniquets is not only increasing, but improving the outcomes of civilians with major extremity trauma

So why NOT help?

Many non-medical community members come to the Stop the Bleed Trainings with the question, “What can I do to help if I come across someone that is bleeding”. Often, the question then becomes, “Can the victim or family take legal action if I cause harm while rendering aide using Stop the Bleed techniques?”. The answer if you live in Michigan is… Yes. Currently, only three states that provide protection from liability for a citizen that provides Stop the Bleed measures. Review of the Michigan Good Samaritan Law reveals that protections are provided to:

• Physician, physician’s assistant, nurse, or EMS provider rendering emergency care; determining fitness to engage in competitive sports
• Medical staff who respond to a life-threatening emergency within a hospital or medical center
• An individual who administers an opioid antagonist
• Any individual who administers CPR or uses an AED
• Block parent volunteer renders assistance to a minor during an emergency
• Member of national ski patrol system rendering emergency care

Simply put, Michigan’s Good Samaritan Law does not currently offer protection for someone rescuing a person with a life-threatening bleed by applying a tourniquet or holding pressure.

Michigan’s Legislators are working to amend the Good Samaritan Law to protect people who use Stop the Bleed techniques in rendering emergency aid to someone experiencing a life-threatening bleed.

MTC members, please send an email to your elected officials to support legislation introduced on Stop the Bleed (the Good Samaritan bills).

Madonna Walters, MS, RN – Member, MTC Legislative Advocacy & Outreach Committee
Trauma RN, Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, Jackson, MI

In May of 2019, Michigan Governor Whitmer signed a law that dramatically changed Michigan’s Auto No-Fault insurance. This legislation reversed a no-fault law that had stood since 1973. Today, efforts are underway in the Michigan legislature to restore some of the benefits in place prior to the 2019 reform, due to its unintended consequences and devastating effects on patient’s lives.

At the time of the 2019 signing, a press release from Governor Whitmer’s office lauded the auto no-fault reform as “guaranteeing a better auto insurance system for everyone” by assuring better protection for consumers and lower insurance rates. This sounded too good to be true, and it was. The result was a reimbursement system that cut post-acute and home care reimbursement by 45% for auto crash victims, many catastrophically injured, and gutted their care delivery system. It also created a new Medicare-based fee schedule for hospitals and providers caring for car crash victims. The new law went into effect on June 11, 2019, and created chaos for the seriously injured, including those who were paralyzed, brain-injured, ventilator-dependent, or those who simply required a lot of nursing care and at-home rehab during their recovery. That system of care could simply not survive a 45% pay cut.

When the payment reductions went into effect in July 2021, insurance companies quickly interpreted the cuts as applying to incumbent victims as well as those injured after June 11, 2019, when the law itself went into effect. It took a 5-2 decision from the Michigan Supreme Court to rule that the changes in reimbursement did not apply to the 17,000 to 18,000 people injured before the auto no-fault legislation of 2019. For some, this was too late. Take, for example, the case of Brian Woodward, a paralyzed man of 64, who died after a merry-go-round of care shuffling him between nursing homes and multiple acute care hospitals. Prior to the 2019 reform, he had been cared for at home. According to reporting by Chad Livengood of the Detroit News, Woodward died just 90 minutes before the court restored care for those injured before June 11, 2019.

But even after the high court ruling, the health care system designed to care for trauma victims is in a tailspin. Many home care agencies have already shut down or they are no longer taking on new car crash victims. Their business model cannot sustain a 45% reduction in funding for the daily care of victims of catastrophic accidents. Nor is the model tenable for the care they receive during their hospital stays and visits to the emergency room when problems occur.

The crisis at the agency level has left many patients with no one to care for them. In some cases, like 5-year-old quadriplegic Annabelle Marsh, whose story was also reported by Chad Livengood, agencies have continued to provide care at the lower rate, in spite of losing money every month. Family members have stepped in when they could and many have gone bankrupt, leaving their injured family members moved to Medicaid-funded nursing homes. For the catastrophically injured, this has meant many trips back to the emergency department and in some cases, an early death.

Now we have an opportunity to make these models viable. Michigan Senate Bills 530 and 531 would do that. On one hand, they would improve reimbursement rates for post-acute home care, reversing the 45% cuts made in 2019. Victims of catastrophic crash injuries would see improved access to the consistent, high-quality care that they require. On the other hand, the proposed legislation includes increases in the reimbursements to hospitals. With an inadequate funding model, they are straining under the cost of caring for these post-acute patients when health issues arise. Under the proposed legislation, a new non-Medicare fee schedule with fair rates would allow the level of care that everyone expects.

These bills have already passed in the Michigan Senate, prior to the December recess, thanks to 20 Democrats and 4 Republicans. Now we need your help to get these bills through the Michigan House and to the Governor’s desk. Please contact your Michigan Representative as well as the Governor to voice your support for these two bills. Here is a link to a sample letter that you can send to them or paste into a message on their website. This is time-sensitive, as the Michigan Legislature will be back in session in January 2024. If you don’t know the name of your Michigan Representative, use this BallotPedia site to help find them.

Note that while a majority of the Michigan Senate agreed that payment rates to post-acute providers needed to be increased to ensure adequate care for car crash survivors, the bills face an uphill battle with the House and Governor.  As reported in Crain’s Detroit Business, the Governor’s office and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services opposed the legislation and have called for a “narrower solution.” A narrower solution may be to cut hospitals out of the deal and focus only on increasing home care and post-acute care.

Laura Walker, RN, BSN, EMT, CFRN
Trauma Education and Outreach Injury Prevention Specialist
Covenant Healthcare – Saginaw, MI

Keeping pedestrians safe is one of the missions of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). According to the OHSP, Michigan saw a 17% rise in pedestrian fatalities in the three-year period from 2020 to 2022. During that time, a total of 531 pedestrians were killed on Michigan roadways.

During 2022 alone, there were 2026 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians, and in those, 1566 people were injured and 173 were killed. The OHSP further notes that 86% of pedestrians involved in crashes were either injured or killed.

To raise awareness about the issue of pedestrian injuries and fatalities, the OHSP promotes National Pedestrian Safety Month beginning October 1st.

To help keep everyone safe, drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to follow these safety tips:

• Pedestrians should always cross at crosswalks.
• Wear reflective clothing, especially from dusk to dawn.
• Utilize sidewalks when available.
• If using the road, walk facing traffic and stay far to the left.
• Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, intersections, and all traffic-controlled areas. The best practice for drivers is to always yield to pedestrians.

For more information about pedestrian safety, see the Michigan State Police Pedestrian Safety site.

Holly Alway, MTSA – Injury Prevention
Trinity Health Muskegon

Before dropping your child off at a new friend’s house, you probably ask the adult in charge about allergies, pets, diet restrictions, supervision, internet access, and more. To keep these home visits safer and fun, ask one more important question: “My kid is pretty curious, and our doctor recommended that I ask: if you have guns, do you keep them locked up?”

Even if a firearm is stored out of sight, children are not out of danger if it isn’t stored safely. One out of every three homes with children has a gun, and even if you think they don’t know where it is, studies show that children as young as five years old know where to find it. According to HealthyChildren.org, more than a third of unintentional shootings of children happen in other people’s homes, so asking about firearms is critical.

Many parents and caregivers understand the consequences of this issue but are unsure of how to start the conversation with other adults in charge. To help families navigate these conversations, pediatricians and child safety advocates across the United States have beenusing the ASK (Asking Saves Kids) initiative as a guide. In honor of ASK Day on June 21st, the Michigan Trauma Coalition (MTC) is encouraging parents and caregivers to ask about unlocked firearms in the homes their children visit.

Protect your child by knowing the environment you’re sending them into. With a few minutes of preparation ahead of time, create a plan of action by using the following tips:

• Learn about safer storage and why it’s important from HealthyChildren.org.
• Prepare your script.
  • Decide who to ask, how to ask, and how to respond to different answers.
  • Figure out who you’re most comfortable talking to among the adults in charge, and ask your questions before the visit.
  • The conversation can be held face-to-face, on the phone, or over text message.
• Talk to your children. Teach children not to touch guns and find an adult right away if they find one.